When a STEM visa allows you to work longer after graduation
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- Published: 14 May 2024
STEM Visa: A Powerful Path to Post-Study Work in the U.S.
If you're planning to study in the U.S., choosing a STEM-related field—Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics—could offer more than just academic benefits. Thanks to the special STEM visa extension, international students now have the chance to stay and work longer after graduation.
Normally, students on the OPT (Optional Practical Training) program can work in the U.S. for 12 months after finishing their degree. However, STEM graduates are eligible for an additional 17-month extension, giving them up to 29 months of work experience in total. This extension provides greater flexibility in job-hunting, changing employers, and even moving toward a permanent residency (green card).
This policy reflects a shift in the U.S. immigration approach—from favoring family-based migration to encouraging skilled individuals in high-demand fields. Other developed countries like Canada, the UK, Australia, and Germany have long tapped into this potential, and the U.S. is now catching up.
For Thai students—especially young women—interested in pursuing a career in STEM, there’s also growing global support for gender diversity in these fields. Want to explore real stories of how women are thriving in science and tech?
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