The Department of Homeland Security announced it is expanding the list of science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs that qualify international students for an OPT extension.
The OPT program allows international students to stay in the U.S. for up to 12 months after their graduation in order to work and gain experience in their field. Students who studied in certain categories of "STEM" programs are eligible to stay an additional 17 months on an "OPT STEM extension."
According to the DHS press release:
Here's the full list of programs that are eligible for the extension (PDF).
The OPT program allows international students to stay in the U.S. for up to 12 months after their graduation in order to work and gain experience in their field. Students who studied in certain categories of "STEM" programs are eligible to stay an additional 17 months on an "OPT STEM extension."
According to the DHS press release:
By expanding the list of designated STEM degree programs to include such fields as pharmaceutical sciences, econometrics and quantitative economics, the Department is helping bring the best, most qualified international students to the United States.
Here's the full list of programs that are eligible for the extension (PDF).