Department of State (DOS) Provides Opportunity for Academic Training Extensions for J-1 Students in STEM Fields

On January 21, 2022, the Directorate of Private Sector Exchange (Private Sector) announced an initiative for College and University Student-category exchange visitors participating in academic training in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This initiative comes in response to the Departments of State and Education joint statement of Principles in Support of International Education. Eligible exchange visitors must be undergraduate and pre-doctoral degree-seeking J-1 College and University students who are pursuing or recently completed STEM-related studies. The maximum total length of their academic training is capped at 36 months (including a single extension); non-degree seeking students are not eligible to apply. The initiative will run for the next two academic years (2021-2022 and 2022-2023) for exchange students who meet the academic training requirements. Sponsors seeking academic training extensions up to 36 months pursuant to this initiative must secure prior written approval by submitting extension requests through the Private Sector’s Office of Designation via AGexchanges@state.gov.