Students in the US from India and other nations who study science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are now at risk of leaving the country after completing their studies.
This follows the introduction of the bill in the Congress, which aims to remove the optional authorization of practical training (OP), which currently allows them to remain in the US up to three years after graduation, as stated, as stated by economic times.
Recent developments have caused panic among the current holders of the F-1 and M-1 visa, who urgently apply for jobs that, according to experts, could help them move to the H-1B working visa, primarily sponsored by the main and Indian technology companies.
The 2024 Open Report reveals that there were over 300,000 Indian students in the US during the academic year of 2023-24, with almost a third of which were eligible for opt.
Cited by Economic Times, Poorvi Chothani of Lawquest, Immigration Law Office based in Florida because it says: “Opt allows students to find jobs in the US for one year and can be extended to the next two years, provided you are a STEM graduate and working with a qualified American employer.”
“If the bill goes through, the optimum could end suddenly without the possibility of switching to another work visa. Students may have to leave the US immediately.” Currently, graduates outside Smet have left to leave a year after completion, Et informed Chothani.
In the academic year 2023-2024, international students of US universities and universities contributed a record $ 43.8 billion to the country’s economy and helped support 378,175 jobs, according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
ET previously reported that Indian students in the US would cancel plans to return home during the summer breaks due to concerns that re -entry could be demanding. Cornell, Columbia and Yale have unofficially recommended foreign students not to leave the country.
While the US remains the highest destination for Indian students studying abroad, the tightening of visa under Trump’s administration has led to many alternatives such as Canada and Europe.
ET reported on experts that about a 20% increase in Indian applications in the US for academic years 2025 and 2026.
(Tagstotranslate) Indian students in u
