Post-Study Work at Risk: OPT Faces Potential Rollback
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The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows international students to work in the U.S. after graduation, is facing potential termination following statements by Joseph Edlow, a nominee to lead U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under the Trump administration. Edlow has indicated his intent to end work authorization for F-1 visa holders post-graduation, affecting over 69,000 Indian students currently benefiting from OPT and STEM OPT extensions.
OPT has long served as a bridge between academic study and professional work experience, particularly for STEM graduates who receive an additional 24-month extension. The proposed changes would confine student visas strictly to academic purposes, eliminating post-study employment opportunities.
The move has sparked concern among students, universities, and tech companies who rely on skilled international talent. Critics argue this could deter global students from choosing U.S. institutions and harm the country’s competitiveness in science and innovation. While no formal policy has been enacted yet, stakeholders are bracing for regulatory shifts and potential legal battles that could reshape the future of international education in the United States.
