# Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025: Plain Language Summary

This bill makes it easier for foreign students who earn advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields at American universities to stay in the United States and become permanent residents. Right now, many international students face uncertainty after graduation—they either have to leave the country or go through a lengthy, complicated process to get work visas. This bill streamlines that process by allowing them to transition directly to permanent resident status if they meet certain requirements.

To qualify, a foreign student must have earned a master's degree or higher in a STEM field from an accredited U.S. college or university, have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a field related to their degree, and be paid at least the median wage for that type of job in their area. Their spouse and children can also come along or join them later. The bill defines STEM broadly to include computer science, engineering, mathematics, biology, physical sciences, agriculture, and natural resources. Importantly, the bill also allows these students to openly pursue permanent residency while still on a student visa—something that's currently restricted because student visas are supposed to be temporary.

The bill also requires stronger security screening for foreign graduate students in STEM fields, including background checks and credential verification, to address security concerns. Additionally, it requires the Department of Homeland Security and State Department to report annually to Congress about how the new process is working, including data on application numbers, processing times, and economic impacts. The goal is to keep talented international graduates in America to work in high-skilled jobs rather than losing them to other countries.

Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025

Foster, Bill

Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025This bill addresses issues relating to non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) with advanced degrees in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field, including exempting certain such individuals from direct limitations on the number of immigrant visas granted per year.To be exempt from the annual numerical limitations on immigrant visas, the individual must (1) have earned a master's level or higher degree in certain STEM fields while in the United States attending an accredited higher education institution, (2) be employed (or have an offer) to perform work directly related to the degree and earn higher than the median wage for that occupation, and (3) meet certain labor certification requirements.The bill also allows an individual seeking a nonimmigrant F-1 (student) visa for an advanced STEM degree to obtain the nonimmigrant visa even if the individual seeks lawful permanent resident status. (Generally, an individual may be denied a nonimmigrant visa if the individual actually intends to seek immigrant status, unless dual intent is allowed for that visa.)Under this bill, to be approved for an F-1 visa for an advanced STEM degree, the applicant must apply for the visa before beginning the advanced degree program.The bill also requires an individual who is inside the United States and applying for an F-1 visa for an advanced STEM degree to undergo the same vetting (e.g., verifying academic credentials and undergoing background checks) as an individual applying from outside the United States.