In what appears to be bad news for Indian students in the US, those enrolled as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students are facing the threat of leaving the country once they complete their studies. The threat is based on a new bill that was introduced in Congress recently to end Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorisation.
Notably, the bill was introduced amid several anti-immigrant moves, which also included mass deportations by the Trump administration.
The bill has caused considerable anxiety among current F-1 and M-1 visa holders in the US. Many are actively seeking employment that will help them get hold of H-1B visas, typically sponsored by major US and Indian tech firms. This urgency is underscored by the Open Doors 2024 report, which indicates that over 300,000 Indian students were enrolled for higher education in the US during the 2023-24 academic year with close to a third of them eligible for OPT.
According to Poorvi Chothani of LawQuest, a Florida-based immigration law firm, “OPT allows students to find jobs in the US for one year after they graduate and may be extended for another two years provided you are a STEM graduate and are working with a qualified US employer.”
“If the bill goes through, OPT could end abruptly without an option to transition to another work visa. Students may have to leave the US immediately,” Chothani told ET.
At present, non-STEM graduates are mandated to leave the country a year after completing their studies.
Individuals holding OPT visas should either expedite their H-1B visa application if their lottery entry is successful or seek employment opportunities abroad. Additionally, international students should anticipate post-graduation departure requirements similar to those in the United Kingdom.
