Introduction Great news for international students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields! The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently updated its policy guidelines for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Effective from August 27, 2024, these changes offer exciting opportunities for STEM students aspiring to gain work experience in the United States. In this blog post, we'll decode these new rules and what they mean for you. Extended OPT Duration for STEM Students One of the most significant updates is the extended OPT duration for STEM students. USCIS now allows international students in STEM fields to work in the US for up to three years after graduation. This is a substantial increase from the standard one-year OPT available to students in non-STEM fields. With three years of work eligibility, STEM students have more time to gain valuable industry experience, making them more competitive in the global job market. Distance Learnin