Excerpts from Senate Passed Immigration Bill Highly-Skilled Immigration Reform Another provision of the Senate bill that would be beneficial to many of our readers would increase the H1B cap from 65,000 to 115,000. It would also have an escalator for the numbers, based on market factors. Additionally, there would be broader exemptions, based on degrees and categories, rather than solely the nature of the employer. The exemptions would cover advanced degree holders with degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), as well as persons of extraordinary ability and outstanding professors / researchers. Another important part of the Highly-Skilled Immigration Reforms involves students. The student visa rules would allow for dual intent. Universities and institutions of higher learning have been lobbying for these provisions. They were adversely impacted by the decrease in international students after September 11, 2001. The dual intent for students would make it easier for qualified students to obtain visas or to change to student status from within the U.S., eliminating the need to show strong family and financial ties to the home country. The provisions would also expand the Optional Practical Training (OPT) period, which is now set at one year.