Under a new rule passed by the Department of Homeland Security, foreign students who graduate from American universities can legally work in the country for up to 29 months.

Previously, student visa holders who had earned a degree in science, technology, engineering or math (or, an “STEM degree”) were eligible to stay in American for 12 months to work in a job “directly related” to the student’s area of study.

But the new reg, passed and effective on April 8, extends that period to 29 months. To be eligible for the extension, the graduate’s employer must be enrolled in U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) E-Verify employment verification program.

Approval for work status is granted in stages. First, the student gets approved for the initial 12 month period, then applies for the 17-month extension. Also, if a student visa holder is approved for an H1-B visa, he or she remains a legal worker until the H1-B visa goes into effect.

More info is available from the DHS here.