President Donald Trump may be considering ending the OPT program which could cause a lot of trouble for Indian students in the country.
A recently proposed bill in the U.S. Congress aims to terminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which currently allows international students, particularly those in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, to work in the United States for up to three years after graduation.
Introduced by Representative Paul Gosar on March 25, the “Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act” seeks to eliminate this program, citing concerns that it undercuts American workers by providing tax incentives for employers to hire foreign labor over domestic talent.
The termination of the OPT program could lead to increased uncertainty for international students, particularly the over 300,000 Indian students currently enrolled in U.S. institutions.
Without OPT, these students may be compelled to leave the U.S. immediately after graduation unless they secure an H-1B visa, which is subject to a lottery system and annual caps.
The bill has sparked significant concern among international student communities and educational institutions. However, it’s important to note that similar legislative attempts have been made in the past without success. The current proposal would need to pass both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and be signed by the President, before becoming law.
READ: F-1 students at U.S. ports of entry: What you need to know (March 31, 2025)
Here’s how OPT relates to H-1B visas:
Duration of OPT
Students can work in the U.S. under OPT for up to 12 months after graduation, with the possibility of extending this by an additional 24 months (for a total of 36 months) if they are in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field.
H-1B Transition
Many international students use the OPT period as a way to gain experience while simultaneously applying for the H-1B visa.
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. Students on OPT are eligible to apply for the H-1B lottery and transition to the H-1B visa if selected.
H-1B Cap-Gap Extension
If an international student’s OPT expires before the H-1B visa becomes effective (typically October 1st), they may be eligible for the H-1B cap-gap extension. This allows students to continue working in the U.S. while waiting for their H-1B petition to be processed and approved.
H-1B Lottery
The H-1B visa has an annual cap, and many employers will sponsor students currently on OPT to apply for the lottery. If selected, they can transition to the H-1B visa without leaving the U.S., provided their OPT is still valid or they qualify for the cap-gap extension.
OPT allows F-1 visa holders to work in the U.S. after graduation, and it often acts as a bridge to the H-1B visa for those seeking to continue working in the U.S. long-term. It’s a popular pathway for international students, particularly in STEM fields, to gain experience while also navigating the H-1B application process.