3 Lakh+ Indian Students In US May Be Forced To Leave As Congress Plans To End Work Visa Scheme

A newly proposed bill in the United States Congress has raised serious concerns among international students-particularly those enrolled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines-as it seeks to abolish the Optional Practical Training (OPT) scheme.

This programme currently allows students to remain in the US for up to three years post-graduation to gain work experience.

This legislative move threatens to derail the career plans of thousands of Indian students in the US, many of whom depend on OPT to gain industry exposure and transition to longer-term employment visas, The Economic Times has reported.

As per the Open Doors 2024 report, India was the leading source of international students in the US during the 2023-2024 academic year, with a total of 331,602 students-a 23% increase compared to the previous year. Out of these, approximately 97,556 students participated in OPT, marking a 41% rise.

Although previous efforts to dismantle the OPT programme have failed, the current bill comes amidst a climate of tightening immigration policies under the present US administration. Former President Donald Trump's campaign promises have included mass deportations and more stringent visa rules, creating anxiety among current F-1 and M-1 visa holders.

As a result, many students are now rushing to secure employment that would allow them to convert their status to an H-1B visa, commonly sponsored by major American and Indian tech companies.

Commenting on the implications, Poorvi Chothani, founder of immigration law firm LawQuest, stated: "OPT enables students to work in the US for a year post-graduation and may be extended by a further two years if they are STEM graduates employed by eligible US companies. If this bill is enacted, the OPT programme could be terminated abruptly, with no alternative work visa option. Students might be required to exit the US immediately."

Chothani also advised that students currently on OPT should accelerate their efforts to secure an H-1B visa-if successful in the lottery-or consider relocating to countries with more favourable immigration policies.

For those considering higher education in the US, she warned that they may have to prepare for a framework akin to that of the UK, where students are typically expected to return to their home countries after completing their studies.

A more major concern is the potential financial impact. Without access to OPT, students could lose out on several years of lucrative US salaries-often critical for repaying substantial education loans.

The ET report further highlighted that numerous Indian students have cancelled their summer travel plans amid fears of being denied re-entry into the US.

Prestigious universities including Cornell, Columbia, and Yale have reportedly advised their international students against travelling home during the academic break.