Dive Brief:
- A new rule governing the Optional Practical Training program will take effect in May, just in time to prevent the deportation of 34,000 graduates in science, technology, engineering, and math fields.
- The Chronicle of Higher Education reports the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s rule will allow graduates of accredited colleges in selected disciplines to work in the country for up to three years after graduation.
- The two extra years of work now available to this group over other international students, who are given only one year following their graduation, was challenged by domestic workers whose lawyers are already planning an appeal.
Dive Insight:
The visa changes apply to F-1 nonimmigrant student visas. Colleges going after international students interested in studying the eligible STEM fields will now have a greater incentive for them. Three years of work experience under an extended student visa gives students more time to become qualified enough for employers to consider sponsoring their work visas.
International students have become an increasingly important population on many college campuses looking for additional tuition revenue. While foreign students have historically been attracted to graduate programs, a growing number are coming for undergraduate work and colleges are doing their best to attract them. According to the Institute of International Education, fully 81% of foreign undergrads pay their own tuition.