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ARTICLE · 07 AUGUST 2023

DHS Announces Updated STEM Designated Degree Program List

Littler Mendelson
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On July 12, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) updated the STEM Designated Degree Program List by adding eight new qualifying fields of study.

United StatesImmigration
Deepti Orekondy
Deepti Orekondy
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On July 12, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) updated the STEM Designated Degree Program List by adding eight new qualifying fields of study. The Program List is generally used to determine whether a degree completed by an F-1 nonimmigrant student qualifies as a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degree as determined by DHS. If an F-1 nonimmigrant student's degree qualifies as a STEM degree, they are afforded the opportunity to apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT). With a STEM OPT extension, F-1 nonimmigrants have the opportunity to work for up to three years after completion of their STEM program of study.

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