The majority of international students come to the United States to study in STEM programs.
But what exactly qualifies as a STEM program?
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. These fields are particularly valuable for international students because they allow students to qualify for the 24-month STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension.
This means a student with a qualifying STEM degree may receive up to 3 years of work authorization in the United States:
• 12 months of initial OPT
• 24-month STEM OPT extension
This additional time allows international students to gain hands-on professional experience, develop their skills, and work with leading companies in their fields. Many large corporations and consulting firms actively recruit graduates with STEM degrees and often sponsor them for H-1B visas.
If you are interested in a STEM program or would like to know if the program you are enrolled in is STEM approved, please review the below link.
DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List
The easiest way to verify this is by checking the CIP code on your Form I-20.
• If the CIP code on your I-20 appears on the DHS STEM list, your program qualifies.
• If the CIP code is not listed, your program is not considered STEM-designated for OPT purposes.
I’ve attached the most up-to-date DHS list of STEM-designated programs so students can verify their eligibility.
Always check your CIP code carefully it determines whether you qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
Important Clarification About the U.S. Immigration Ban & F-1 Student Visas
There’s been a lot of confusion and fear around the recent U.S. immigration policies that affect numerous countries. Many students and prospective applicants are assuming that these bans mean they cannot apply for an F-1 student visa to study in the United States. That’s not true, and it’s creating unnecessary panic.
Here’s what is actually happening:
The U.S. government under the Trump administration issued new travel and immigration restrictions affecting hundreds of millions of people from multiple countries. These policies include:
• A suspension/ban on immigrant visa processing (green cards and permanent residency) for nationals from up to 75 countries.
• Expanded travel ban provisions that bar or limit entry for some countries based on national security and screening concerns.
However, and this is the key point
These immigration bans do not apply to F-1 student visas.
The pause or ban is specifically on immigrant visas (permanent residency pathways), not on non-immigrant student visas like the F-1, M-1, or J-1 that international students use to study and participate in exchange programs.
Unfortunately, many students (and even some schools/agents) have assumed the worst that being from a country on a “ban” means you cannot study in the U.S. and as a result, applications for F-1 visas have dropped significantly.
Let’s spread accurate information:
✔️ Students should know that being born in a country affected by a travel or immigrant-visa restriction does not automatically bar them from applying for an F-1 student visa.
✔️ Schools and agents please educate your networks that F-1/M-1/J-1 visa issuance continues in most situations and is not stopped by the immigrant visa pause.
✔️ People often hear “ban” and assume all visas are suspended that misconception is costing talented students opportunities.
Final Thought: Inform your community, students, parents, partners, and school officials that the narrative that F-1 visas are banned is simply not accurate.
Let’s help students continue to pursue their academic dreams in the U.S. without fear or misinformation!
F-1 Students Applying for a Green Card
F-1 Students Applying for a Green Card: Read This Before You Drop Your Status.
One of the biggest mistakes I see F-1 students make during the Adjustment of Status (I-485) process is abandoning their F-1 status too early.
Whether you’re applying for a green card through:
• Marriage
• Employment sponsorship
• EB-2 NIW
• Other immigrant petitions
You are legally allowed to remain in the U.S. while your I-485 is pending.
But here’s the part many students misunderstand:
Just because you receive a C-9 EAD (Adjustment of Status work permit) does NOT mean you should stop maintaining your F-1 status.
Let me explain.
When you begin working under the C-9 EAD:
• Your SEVIS record must be terminated
• Your F-1 status is effectively closed
• You are no longer protected by nonimmigrant status
If your I-485 is denied for ANY reason, you may suddenly find yourself without lawful status.
Now compare that to this strategy:
✔ Continue studying
✔ Maintain full-time enrollment
✔ Work under CPT (if eligible)
✔ Transition to OPT (if eligible)
✔ Maintain F-1 compliance
If the I-485 is denied, you still have your F-1 status as a safety net.
That is strategic compliance.
Yes, by law you may remain in the U.S. while your AOS is pending without studying. But “allowed” does not always mean “wise.”
If you can financially afford to maintain your F-1 status while your green card is pending, it is often the safest course of action.
Immigration is not just about eligibility. It’s about risk management. And risk management is where experience matters.
