Washington, Apr 9: Over 3 lakh Indian students in the United States face an uncertain future as a new bill proposes to scrap the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program — a key post-study work visa route for international students. The move, currently under consideration in the US Congress, has sparked deep concern within the Indian student community, The Economic Times reported.
The OPT program currently allows international graduates, especially in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields, to work in the US for up to three years. According to the Open Doors 2024 report, Indian students are the largest beneficiaries, with 97,556 enrolled in OPT during 2023-24 — a 41% rise from the previous year.
What’s at Stake?
If the bill is passed, students would be forced to return home immediately after completing their degrees, jeopardizing their job prospects and ability to repay education loans. It would also deal a blow to the US tech industry, which relies on skilled graduates from India and other countries to fill critical roles.
Rush for H-1B Visas
With OPT potentially being scrapped, students are urgently seeking jobs that could secure them H-1B visas — a highly competitive program with limited slots. Major tech firms in the US and India are now under pressure to accommodate a surge in visa sponsorship requests.
Legal View
Poorvi Chothani, founder of immigration law firm LawQuest, explained that OPT offers a one-year work opportunity after graduation, extendable by two years for STEM graduates. If the bill passes, this pathway would disappear, forcing thousands of students to exit the country.
Rising Travel Anxiety
Reports say several students have cancelled trips home over summer break, worried they won’t be allowed back into the US. Universities like Cornell, Columbia, and Yale are said to have unofficially advised international students to avoid travel due to the ongoing uncertainty.
A Wider Political Push
The bill is seen as part of a broader anti-immigration push linked to Donald Trump’s campaign narrative, which emphasizes tighter border controls and stricter visa norms. Experts warn that such a move could also hurt US universities financially by deterring international student admissions.