Us visa policy: Optional Practical Training (Opt) is an important part of the American immigration system. It helps foreign students studying on F-1 visa to achieve work experience for 1 to 3 years after completing the course. This is considered especially important for students studying in Stem (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). This program acts like a bridge for the H-1B work visa.

Standard OPT is 12 months. In this, the time increases for 24 months with the help of Stem Opt Extension. However, a bill presented in the US Congress in early 2025 has demanded to completely abolish the OPT program. This proposal has been introduced under the security of the US labor market and anti -immigrant strategies. If this bill is passed, it can destroy the career possibilities of millions of foreign students.
There will be a problem due to lack of opt program
Due to the elimination of OPT program completely, people studying may have to face many problems. The most impact of this can be seen on Indian students. Due to its end, there will be many problems, which are the following.

• Access to H-1B visa will be limited.
• The chance to get the work experience will end.
• The career path in the US will stop for Stem students.
• The possibility of repaying the loan for the students will be negligible.

Eastern Chothani, a major immigration on the case, says that if the bill is passed, students may have to leave America immediately.

Impact on Indian students
According to the Open Doors 2024 report, 331,602 Indian students are studying in the US in 2023-24, of which around 97,556 are part of the OPT program. This shows that this law will affect students from countries like India the most, as they enroll in stem areas on a large scale. American salary will not be available without OPT, which will make it difficult to repay the student loan. There will be uncertainty in future education plans. People associated with science and technology will migrate from America. Multinational companies may face a shortage of skilled talent.

Response of educational institutions and students
Major American institutions such as Cornell, Colombia, Yale etc. have informally advised their foreign students not to go home during the holidays. Many students have canceled the summer journey as they are afraid of not getting admission in America again. Some students are applying early for H-1B visa lottery. Many students are now looking for opportunities in countries like Canada, UK, Australia.

What is the option for students?
If Opt is finished, students should start the process of obtaining H-1B visa as soon as possible. Post-study work visa facility should be started in the UK. In Canada, the PR process and the student support system can be a better option. Large companies can transfer students to other countries through their global networks.

Serious questions on the future of Indian stem students
This initiative to eliminate the OPT program raises serious questions on the future of thousands of international students, especially Indian Stem students, who came to study in America. This step will not only affect the availability of skilled talent for the US, but can also reduce its reputation in the field of higher education.