S. 1233 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Apr 1, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryEases path for STEM degree holders
This bill creates a way for foreign nationals who earn advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, or math at U.S. colleges to become permanent residents without counting against annual visa caps, as long as they have a job offer in their field that pays at least the median wage. It also allows international students pursuing advanced STEM degrees to apply for student visas while openly planning to stay as permanent residents.
How it affects you
If you're a foreign student earning a master's degree or higher in a STEM field at a U.S. university, this bill makes it simpler to transition from student status to permanent residency if you find a qualifying job. For U.S. employers in tech and science fields, the bill could make it easier to hire and keep skilled talent from abroad.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Apr 1, 2025)
Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025
This 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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 1233
A BILL
Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) · Introduced Apr 1, 2025 · Immigration · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Apr 1, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S2095-2096)”