Approximately 70,000 Indian students in the US are concerned about their future as the Trump administration contemplates making Optional Practical Training (OPT) work permit regulations stricter. The OPT program, enabling international students to work in the US prior to and following graduation, has been vital for foreign F-1 visa holders, offering an important route for moving to H-1B visas and obtaining work experience.
Possible limitations on the OPT program arise during a discussion in the US that the program disadvantages American workers. Reports indicate that approximately 69,000 Indian students took part in the OPT program during the 2022-2023 academic year. Nonetheless, under President Trump’s second term, the fate of OPT and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) programs is jeopardized.
Information about the OPT Program
The OPT program provides 12 months of work permission, with a 24-month extension available for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) students. This enables students to be employed for an overall period of 36 months according to their areas of study. Conversely, the CPT program is connected to a student’s coursework and provides both full-time and part-time job options.
Suggested Modifications
Policymakers are thinking about limiting OPT eligibility to areas where practical training is necessary. Universities will be closely monitored when providing visa documentation, and those with elevated visa overstay rates might risk losing their certification. Jessica M. Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, has condemned the OPT program, arguing that it ought to be abolished or more rigorously overseen.
Impact on Indian Students
The possible limitations on the OPT program have begun to impact Indian students in the US. Reports indicate that Indian students are leaving part-time positions in the US because of heightened scrutiny. The US has consistently ranked as a preferred destination for Indian students seeking to study overseas, providing countless career opportunities. However, the ambiguity related to the OPT program has generated concern among Indian students and professionals in the United States.
As the Trump administration reflects on strengthening OPT work permit regulations, Indian students and professionals in the US are preparing for the possible effects. Although the US has consistently served as a center for international students, the unpredictability related to the OPT program might compel Indian students to explore other options for their higher education.
