Students outside a US university campus amid uncertainty over new OPT regulations (Photo: File)
The Optional Practical Training programme has long provided a lifeline for international students looking to acquire experience in the United States. Now it is facing one of its most serious challenges yet.
Reports from US media suggest the programme could be suspended or reshaped in ways that might sharply restrict opportunities for foreign graduates. For Indian students, who form the largest international student group, this would have huge implications.
The Optional Practical Training program lets international students on F-1 visas work in the US in jobs related to their field of study. It provides 12 months of work eligibility with an additional 24-month extension for STEM graduates.
OPT is crucial for many Indian students because it helps them gain experience and often acts as a bridge to the H-1B visa with Indian enrolments at record highs, any change to OPT could significantly affect their career and immigration plans.
The Department of Homeland Security has floated a new rule that would align the programme with what it calls its original intent. It points to concerns about fraud, the need for tighter oversight and calls to shield American workers from displacement.
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The proposal appears on a public regulatory agenda and could surface before the end of this year or sometime in early 2026.
Educators warn that the broader policy climate has already become tougher. Earlier, the administration suggested fixed admission periods for foreign students replacing the current “duration of status” system.
Colleges fear that students enrolled in long academic programmes may struggle under these limitations. If OPT is scaled back or removed, the US could risk losing students to more welcoming destinations.
OPT has long been controversial. Worker organizations contend it skews the labour market for foreign graduates. Legislators have repeatedly proposed legislation to cut back or axe it, such as one recently offered called the Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act.
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Backers of the act said the program lacks adequate protections since it was established via regulation, not an act of Congress.
While OPT allows for a year of work, STEM graduates receive two additional years. For many Indian students, these windows have provided the avenue to transition from an F-1 student visa to an H-1B work visa.
Considering over a third of Indian students participated in OPT last year, even minor policy changes threaten to upend career plans, financial commitments and post-study pathways.
University and employer advocates are bracing for a fight if the administration tries to reduce or eliminate OPT. Any rollback of the program would almost surely be challenged in court.
For now, students must wait for the release of the official rule, but the writing on the wall is unmistakable: OPT's future is no longer a sure thing.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and does not offer legal or immigration advice. Students should consult official US government sources.
