US Likely To Tighten Rules Of OPT Work Permits; Scores Of Indian Students Worried

After some Indian nationals were deported to India from the US as they were found to have entered the US illegally, now there is a possibility that the Trump government can tighten OPT work permit rules, and it is making around 70,000 Indian students in the US worried about their future.

Study in US: Optional Practical Training (OPT) program has been essential for foreign students in the US on F-1 visas. It provided a critical pathway for transitioning to H-1B visas and to gain work experience. Now, after there is a possibility of restrictions on the OPT program, scores of Indian students and professionals are worried about their future in the country.

There is a debate going on in the US that the OPT program is unfair to American workers. OPT program witnessed around 69,000 Indian students participating in it in the 2022-2023 academic year. However, in President Trump's second term, the future of OPT and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) programs is at risk.

Details Of OPT Program IN US

The program allows international students to work in the US before and after graduation. It offers 12 months of work authorization. There is also a 24-month extension for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) students. In total students get to work for a duration of 36 months based on their fields.

CPT program is related to student's curriculum. It is linked to their coursework offering full-time or part-time work opportunities. Those who complete more than one year of the full-time CPT program are not eligible for the OPT program.

What Changes Proposed For the OPT Program

Until now, OPT and CPT have no limits on the number of participants. The policymakers are now considering restricting OPT eligibility to subjects where practical training is needed, the universities will be under strict oversight while issuing visa paperwork, and those universities with high visa overstay rates can face revoking of certification, as reported by News Cazt.

Jessica M. Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies at the Center for Immigration Studies recently criticized these programs and said that "They should be eliminated or much more closely regulated," as reported by Business Today.

The US has always been one of the top choices for Indian students to study abroad as it offers endless career possibilities. However, as per the latest reports, Indian students are quitting part-time jobs in the US due to increased scrutiny.

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