U.S. adds new fields of study to STEM student visa program

Driving the news: The Department of Homeland Security on Friday added 22 new fields of study to a specialized visa program for nonimmigrant students, the STEM Optional Practical Training program.

• In addition, eligible undergraduate and graduate students can now stay in the country for up to three years after finishing — up from one year.

Be smart: The changes may not make a significant difference in getting more students to study in the U.S., the WSJ notes. 

• Increases in the number of visas or expanding visa eligibility have to be made by Congress.

Details: Environmental science categories dominate the 22 new fields — bioenergy, general forestry, anthrozoology, climate science, Earth systems science, oceanic science, data visualization, as well as industrial and organizational psychology.