US set to overhaul OPT programme: What it means for Indian students and their job prospects?

OPT allows students on F-1 visas to work in their field of study for up to 12 months, either before or after completing their degree. (Representational Image)

The Optional Practical Training programme, known as OPT, may soon face major changes or even suspension as the US government considers new immigration rules aimed at tightening oversight and protecting American jobs. If implemented, these changes could significantly affect Indian students, who form the largest group of international students in the United States and rely heavily on OPT to gain work experience after graduation.

OPT allows students on F-1 visas to work in their field of study for up to 12 months, either before or after completing their degree. Those in science, technology, engineering and mathematics can apply for an additional 24 months under the STEM OPT extension. For many Indians, this period acts as a bridge from a student visa to an H-1B work visa.

The Department of Homeland Security has placed a proposed rule on its public regulatory agenda that could reshape how OPT functions. The rule may be introduced before the end of this year or in the first half of 2026, according to Forbes.

According to DHS, “The proposed rule will amend existing regulations to address fraud and national security concerns, protect US workers from being displaced by foreign nationals, and enhance the Student and Exchange Visitor Program's capacity to oversee the program.”

This signals a stronger focus on enforcement and tighter controls, with the aim of making sure OPT serves its original purpose rather than becoming a backdoor work visa route.

Why OPT is under fire

OPT has long been criticised by sections of the American workforce and policymakers who argue that it gives foreign students an unfair advantage over local job seekers. Critics also claim that the programme, which was created through regulation and not by Congress, operates without sufficient safeguards.

Jessica M Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies at the Centre for Immigration Studies, told a US House Judiciary Committee hearing in January that these programmes lacked proper authorisation and could be misused, particularly by fraudulent institutions.

“They should either be eliminated or placed under much stricter regulation,” Vaughan said.

There is also concern about abuse by diploma mills that allegedly issue fake enrolments to help individuals secure work authorisation through OPT.

Trump administration push to tighten student rules

The renewed scrutiny is part of a broader shift by the Trump administration to tighten controls on international students. In August, DHS proposed another rule that would replace the current duration-based stay with fixed admission periods. This change could make it harder for students enrolled in longer academic programmes to complete their studies without seeking repeated extensions.

Educators and immigration experts fear that such steps could make the US less attractive for international students, particularly those from India and China who account for a large share of enrolments.

Lawmakers seek to scrap OPT

While earlier attempts to eliminate OPT failed, a new bill has revived the debate. The Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act was introduced by Congressman Paul Gosar in March. The bill seeks to completely eliminate OPT, arguing that it encourages foreign students to enter the US primarily for employment rather than education.

According to a 2023 report by the Congressional Research Service, 344,686 F-1 and M-1 students and recent graduates were authorised to work under the OPT programme.

Opponents of OPT argue that since it is not explicitly authorised by Congress, it can be removed through regulatory changes, though such a move would likely face legal challenges from universities and businesses.

Why this matters for Indian students

Indian students are among the most dependent on OPT. In the 2023–24 academic year, India was the largest source of international students in the US. According to the Open Doors 2024 report, one-third of more than 300,000 Indian students were enrolled in the OPT programme.

For them, OPT is not just work experience. It is a crucial pathway that allows time to apply for H-1B visas, secure employment, and potentially settle in the US long term.

Any reduction or suspension of OPT could disrupt career plans, discourage future enrolments, and push students to consider alternative destinations such as Canada, the UK or Australia.

What happens next

While no final decision has been taken yet, the signalling from DHS and the Trump administration suggests that tighter regulation is likely. Whether this results in stricter oversight or the complete removal of the programme remains to be seen.

What is clear is that any major change to OPT will have ripple effects across universities, employers and thousands of Indian students currently planning their future in the US.