Does H-1B give priority to foreigners on STEM Extension?

No. Being on STEM Extension does not grant priority or preferential treatment in the H-1B selection process. They are two distinct mechanisms with different purposes, and one does not interfere with the other.

The H-1B is a nonimmigrant visa for specialty occupations, and it requires a job offer from a U.S. employer. When demand exceeds available slots, selection happens through a random draw, commonly known as the “lottery.” STEM Extension, on the other hand, is an extension of the authorized work period (OPT) for individuals on an F-1 student visa who work in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

Those on STEM Extension participate in the H-1B lottery under the same conditions as all other eligible candidates. The extra work authorization period can be useful for maintaining lawful status and attempting the H-1B in more than one season, but it does not change the odds within the lottery itself.

• STEM Extension extends the OPT work period; it does not affect the H-1B.
• The H-1B lottery treats all eligible candidates uniformly.
• The extra time helps maintain lawful status and allows attempts in more than one window.

Since rules can change, it is worth checking updated requirements and planning the transition from OPT to H-1B with the support of an immigration specialist.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.