STEM OPT Surges 54% in 2024, Indians Lead with Almost Half of Approvals

(INDIA) A historic jump in STEM OPT work permits in 2024 pushed more international graduates into U.S. jobs—and Indians secured nearly half of those approvals. A Boundless study found that 194,554 international students received OPT work authorization last year, including 95,384 STEM OPT approvals, a 54% year-on-year increase. Data from SEVP (via CIS) shows India accounted for 79,331 of the STEM OPT approvals—about 48–49%, while China had 33,807 (about 20.4%). The fourth straight year of growth points to strong demand across biotechnology, engineering, artificial intelligence, and data science in the United States 🇺🇸.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the surge reflects both industry need and policy pressure elsewhere in the system. Companies have leaned on STEM OPT as a steady path to hire recent graduates when other routes, like H‑1B and green cards, have become harder to secure. Employers say the program helps them fill high-skill roles quickly while building a longer pipeline for future sponsorship.

What STEM OPT Provides and How It Works

The STEM OPT extension allows eligible F‑1 graduates in approved science, technology, engineering, and math fields to work in their field of study for up to 24 extra months after the standard 12‑month OPT period, for a total of up to 36 months of post-study employment.

Key program rules and guidance:
– Jobs must be directly related to the student’s STEM degree and must be with an E‑Verify employer.
– No major federal changes to eligibility or duration were made in 2024 or through September 2025.
– For official guidance, see the U.S. government’s STEM OPT page at uscis.gov/opt.

Procedural basics (summary):
1. The student obtains a DSO recommendation and an updated Form I‑20.
2. The student files Form I‑765 (Application for Employment Authorization) to USCIS with supporting evidence. Access the form here: Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
3. Students may file the STEM OPT extension up to 90 days before their current OPT end date.
4. If filed on time, students may continue working for up to 180 days while the STEM OPT case is pending.
5. Students must report employment and address updates to their DSO every six months.

Important: The 180‑day continued work allowance applies only if you file before your OPT expires. Keep proof of receipt for all filings.

Policy Trends and What’s Driving Demand

Several forces shaped the 2024 spike:
– Tighter H‑1B outcomes and long waits in employment‑based green card categories made STEM OPT a practical bridge.
– Large U.S. companies and research universities increased early-career hiring in areas tied to cloud computing, machine learning, battery technology, and advanced manufacturing.
– Employers use STEM OPT to train new hires in-house and assess them for later sponsorship without immediate visa hurdles.

Boundless also reports that international enrollment remained strong: 1.58 million international students in 2024, up 5.3% from 2023. International students contributed an estimated $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy in the 2023–2024 academic year and supported 378,175 U.S. jobs—figures that provide broader context for university and employer investment in this talent pipeline.

Employer Concentration and Top Hires

Hiring for both pre‑ and post‑completion OPT remained concentrated among large institutions. Top employers and their reported hires:
– Amazon — 5,379
– University of California — 2,112
– Arizona State University — 1,895
– University of Texas — 1,305
– Tesla — 1,170
– Goldman Sachs — 1,148
– Apple — 1,135
– Google — 1,110
– Meta — 1,081
– Microsoft — 1,066
– ByteDance — 1,045

These placements include research roles, software and hardware engineering, data analysis, and finance.

Impact on Indian Students and U.S. Employers

India’s large share of STEM OPT approvals reflects deeper shifts:
– More Indian students are choosing STEM-heavy programs (computer science, electrical engineering, analytics).
– For many, STEM OPT offers a time‑bound route to U.S. work experience, a salary, and a potential case for later sponsorship.
– Employers benefit from graduates trained in U.S. classrooms who can start quickly and remain for up to three years.

Challenges and policy friction:
– OPT has drawn scrutiny in Washington. Critics argue potential pressure on local job markets and insufficient oversight.
– Proposals include applying FICA payroll taxes to OPT wages (currently exempt) and increasing data transparency about employers and job types.
– As of September 2025, Congress had not passed changes to STEM OPT rules, but debate and calls for improved reporting continue.

What This Means for Indian Families and Students

A few practical implications and risks:
– A sharp projected drop in new international student arrivals for Fall 2025—nearly 50% fewer in some tracking—could reduce STEM OPT volumes two to three years from now if trends hold.
– For now, 2024 approvals show the program’s strong pull in a hot labor market for STEM skills.
– Students should anticipate increased competition; job searches may take longer and require flexibility on location, hybrid work, and second‑choice roles that still match degree fields.

Three practical points for Indian students planning 2025–2026:
– Build a plan early with your DSO. Ask about timing, E‑Verify employers, and how your job duties link to your degree. Keep job descriptions and training plans.
– Apply on time. File the STEM OPT extension within the allowed window and keep proof of receipt.
– Target employers with STEM OPT experience. Large institutions often have teams experienced with the rules; smaller firms can be suitable if they use E‑Verify and support training plans.

Guidance for U.S. Employers

Practical steps for employers:
– Confirm E‑Verify enrollment.
– Maintain training plans (Form I‑983 or equivalent) that match the student’s degree.
– Track reporting dates and DSO communications.
– Treat STEM OPT as a probationary period—use it to assess fit before considering H‑1B or permanent residence sponsorship.

Broader Labor‑Market Effects and Policy Considerations

Short‑term effects:
– STEM OPT helps fill shortages in software development, semiconductor design, life sciences research, and energy systems.

Long‑term effects:
– The program feeds the pipeline for H‑1B sponsorship and, for a subset, permanent residency.
– Surveys suggest more recent graduates now plan shorter U.S. stays (three years or less) due to visa uncertainty and better opportunities in India.

Policy debate:
– Proponents argue STEM OPT supports U.S. innovation, keeps universities competitive, and helps maintain leadership in AI and advanced manufacturing.
– Critics raise concerns about wage levels, training quality, and national security in sensitive fields.
– Expect calls for clearer employer reporting, better audits, and possible tax changes if hiring stays high.

Key Takeaways

The 2024 STEM OPT surge highlights a strong U.S. demand for STEM skills and shows how the program acts as a practical bridge from education to employment—especially for Indian students who received nearly half of STEM approvals.

For students and employers: stay current with official guidance, plan early, and document training and job relevance carefully. The most current program details, eligibility standards, and filing instructions are available at the official USCIS OPT and STEM extension page: uscis.gov/opt.