Shocking For Indian Students: US Govt To End OPT Work Visa?

The US government is introducing many new features in the education sector. Indian students are the most affected, and the changes in visa approvals are also causing trouble. Adding to the unrest, the US government plans to end the Optional Practical Training (OPT) visa program. The program allows international students on F-1 visas to gain temporary work experience in related fields.

Now, the government plans to suspend the program, resulting in many Indian students being forced to leave the USA. The ‘Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act’ was introduced on March 25 and threatens to upend a work visa route under the OPT program. The bill has yet to be passed, but if passed, it will become critical for the Indians.

According to the data, one-third of over 300,000 Indian students in the US were enrolled in the OPT program. Indian students benefit the most from the OPT program, but its removal can now limit pathways to long-term employment in the US.

In general, an F-1 visa is a nonimmigrant student visa, and its primary purpose is to enable individuals to study in the United States at a full-time academic institution.