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Easier Path for STEM Graduates: Longer Work Permits and More H-1B Visas.

This law aims to keep talented foreign STEM graduates in the United States by significantly extending their post-graduation work authorization period (OPT) from 29 to 48 months. It also increases the annual quota of H-1B visas specifically for this group and grants them priority in the visa lottery process.
Key points
The post-graduation work period (OPT) for STEM graduates is extended from 29 months to 48 months.
The annual H-1B visa limit for individuals with a US STEM degree increases from 20,000 to 30,000.
STEM graduates from US universities will receive priority in the H-1B employment visa lottery selection.
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Status: Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_HR_9023
Sponsor: Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
Process start date: 2024-07-11
System Note: Lustra is free, publicly auditable civic infrastructure — full source code available on GitHub. You are reading sterilized legislative data, processed by our radical neutrality engine to strip political spin and retain factual mechanics. We process only official government data. Original documents remain the authoritative source—always verify them if you can.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-09-2025
Source data: api.congress.gov
AI work logs for this document launch

OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Keep STEM Graduates in America Act of 2024

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_HR_9023.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2024-07-11.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • The post-graduation work period (OPT) for STEM graduates is extended from 29 months to 48 months.
  • The annual H-1B visa limit for individuals with a US STEM degree increases from 20,000 to 30,000.
  • STEM graduates from US universities will receive priority in the H-1B employment visa lottery selection.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-25.

What is the impact of this bill?

We don't know—that is up to you to decide. Summarizing raw data with AI is fundamentally different from predicting socio-economic outcomes. As of 2026, we believe impact assessment strictly requires a human in the loop to verify and judge.

CATEGORIES

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