Athira Sethu
Kochi, 8 April 2025
International students in America, especially those Indians pursuing their graduate studies in STEM majors (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), are experiencing more uncertainty now with the introduction of a new bill in Congress which aims to abolish the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program.
OPT enables international students to remain in America for up to three years post-graduation to pursue employment in their chosen field. If enacted, the bill would compel most students to depart the country as soon as they finish their studies, with fewer chances to remain and work.
The OPT program currently permits STEM graduates to remain for one year post-graduation, with the option of remaining for a further two years if they are employed by a qualified U.S. employer.
This program is particularly important for several students since it offers the ability to receive work experience, student loan payments, and start building a career. But through this new bill, students possessing F-1 and M-1 visas now face a desperate effort to acquire a job which could lead to transition to an H-1B work visa, which has its sponsorship frequently being provided by American tech corporations.
More than 300,000 Indian students were attending U.S. universities in 2023-24, of whom many had eligibility for OPT. The removal of OPT potential has raised the concern of those students, potentially having to exit the U.S. sooner than anticipated. Other non-STEM graduates already have a one-year grace period in which to remain after graduation.
Consequently, a large number of students are reconsidering their plans. Some are postponing return trips home, worried they might not be able to re-enter the U.S. afterward. Others are thinking about pursuing studies in other nations such as Canada and Europe, where regulations for international students are more appealing. The number of Indian applications to non-U.S. institutions has already gone up by 20%.
The uncertainty of OPT is also impacting families. The expense of attending the U.S. – approximately $60,000 annually – is causing parents to look for more stable alternatives for their children’s futures. Losing OPT not only affects students’ careers but also the U.S. economy, which highly profits from the work of international students. Colleges are providing legal assistance to allow students to deal with these changes.
