STEM OPT extension for IB?

I'm an international student and was thinking of double majoring in Economics/Finance + a STEM field in order to get the OPT extension.

However, I'm unsure whether IB qualifies for the extension.

Some sources mention the work needs to be related to the area of study (http://internationalcenter.umich.edu/immig/fvisa/…), others say it needs to be in a STEM field - which sounds more restrictive.

Econometrics, Math and Business statistics all qualify as STEM, and I was thinking of double majoring in one of those.

Based on your experience, does IB qualify for this extension and are BBs used to deal with this kind of thing from new hires?

11 Comments
 

Not even USCIS can be sure of this.

But if it makes you feel better, plenty of F1 students have used STEM OPT while working in Banking. You need a cooperative school, and a cooperative employer/lawyer.

In short, yes it is possible. You just need to play your cards right. Other people have managed to do it.

 

Btw, could this process deter a BB from hiring me out of UG? Because I would be carrying to much baggage or something? Or do they not care as long as I qualify?

And if I ended up not getting the H1B, how hard would it be to then transfer to London?

 

BBs really don't care whether you have STEM OPT, from my experience.

Had quite a few friends who were econ majors who didn't get the H1B. They got transferred to local offices, or even to offices where they could get visas. Not sure whether policies have changed.

 

What do you mean with offices where they could get visas? Sorry if it's a dumb question.

Would you say getting transferred affected your friends career? As in starting all over in a new place.

 

Et rerum non a ratione aut cum. Illo quisquam assumenda aut sapiente nulla. Reprehenderit occaecati vel eos dolore. Optio officia dolore tenetur non magni illum dolor. Aut dignissimos sint et nihil.

Nam temporibus et soluta est at. Delectus ea vero facilis. Qui reprehenderit quibusdam consequuntur qui ut voluptatum. Delectus ut quo qui quia.

Cumque aperiam quos qui deleniti nam qui. Et itaque dolorum ullam dolores non ut aliquid est. Voluptas debitis nemo voluptas repudiandae rerum repellat sapiente qui. Non ipsam mollitia voluptatem inventore incidunt blanditiis. Optio voluptate rerum facere dignissimos corporis et quis.

Rem sed sed dicta mollitia aut et velit eum. Ea est quia voluptatem molestias nostrum. Atque animi possimus autem similique.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”