Visa requirements

(a) Graduate degree visa requirements To be approved for or maintain nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(F) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)), a student seeking to pursue an advanced degree in a STEM field (as defined in section 201(b)(1)(F)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(1)(F)(ii))) (as amended by section 3(a)) for a degree at the master’s level or higher at a United States institution of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)) must apply for admission prior to beginning such advanced degree program. (b) Strengthened vetting process The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State shall establish procedures to ensure that aliens described in subsection (a) are admissible pursuant to section 212(a)(3)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(A)). Such procedures shall ensure that such aliens seeking admission from within the United States undergo verification of academic credentials, comprehensive background checks, and interviews in a manner equivalent to that of an alien seeking admission from outside of the United States. To the greatest extent practicable, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State shall also take steps to ensure that such applications for admission are processed in a timely manner to allow the pursuit of graduate education. (c) Reporting requirement The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State shall submit an annual report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives detailing the implementation and effectiveness of the requirement for foreign graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in STEM fields to seek admission prior to pursuing a graduate degree program. The report shall include data on visa application volumes, processing times, security outcomes, and economic impacts.