Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025

Key Points

• International students who earn a master's degree or higher in a STEM field from a U.S. college could get a green card without being subject to the usual yearly caps on immigration visas. STEM fields covered include computer science, engineering, math, biology, physical sciences, and agriculture sciences.
• To qualify, graduates must have a job offer from a U.S. employer in their field of study, and the job must pay more than the median wage for that type of work in that area. This wage floor is designed to prevent employers from using the program to undercut local workers' pay.
• The bill introduces "dual intent" for STEM graduate students, meaning they can apply for a student visa even if they plan to stay in the U.S. permanently. Currently, F-1 student visa holders generally must show they intend to return to their home country.
• The bill requires strengthened vetting for these students, including verification of academic credentials, comprehensive background checks, and interviews equivalent to those required of applicants from outside the U.S.
• Spouses and children of qualifying STEM graduates would also receive green cards under this program, allowing families to stay together in the U.S. without separate visa petitions.
• The bill requires annual reports to Congress on visa application volumes, processing times, security outcomes, and economic impacts to track whether the program is working as intended.

Votes

No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.