A new bill introduced in the United States Congress has triggered alarm bells for thousands of international students, especially from India. The Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act, introduced on March 25, seeks to terminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme — a critical work route for F-1 visa holders after graduation.
If passed, the bill could derail the post-study employment plans of more than 97,000 Indian students, who currently benefit from OPT to gain work experience and ease their transition to long-term employment in the US.
The OPT Lifeline
The OPT programme, introduced in 1947, allows international students with an F-1 visa to work in the US in roles related to their field of study. It acts as a stepping stone to the H-1B visa and, in many cases, permanent employment.
Currently, OPT provides:
- Up to 12 months of work authorization for most graduates
- An extension up to 36 months for students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields
According to the Open Doors 2024 report, the US hosted 331,602 Indian students in the 2023–2024 academic year, with nearly one-third—97,556 students—enrolled in the OPT programme. This represents a 41% increase from the previous year, highlighting the programme’s growing importance.
What Happens If OPT Is Removed?
Without OPT, international students would have only one route to stay and work in the US — the H-1B visa, which is not only capped at 85,000 visas per year but is also facing growing restrictions and political scrutiny.
The move to eliminate OPT could:
- Force thousands of Indian graduates to leave the US immediately after completing their studies
- Shrink the tech talent pool, particularly in STEM fields
- Make the US a less attractive destination for international students, impacting universities and the broader economy
Why the Bill Was Introduced
Supporters of the bill argue that OPT undercuts American workers by providing a cheaper labor pool to employers. However, critics warn that scrapping the programme would harm the US economy, innovation, and global academic competitiveness.
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The Bigger Picture
With rising visa restrictions and proposed changes to long-standing immigration policies, Indian students — who form the second-largest international student group in the US — now face growing uncertainty. Many view the OPT programme as a crucial pathway to global careers and long-term settlement.
As the bill moves through Congress, stakeholders in both countries are closely watching its progress. If passed, it could fundamentally reshape the academic and career landscape for over 1 lakh Indian students in the United States.
