US to tighten OPT norms for international students

The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program is used by international students to work in the US after graduation for up to one year. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) graduates can get a two-year extension which gives them three years of work experience under the OPT. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement govern the OPT program in the US.

The US is all set to tighten for the OPT program next year. The consensus seems to have moved to the side of the anti-immigration groups who view the OPT as providing cheap labour taking away American jobs.

The Trump Govt. rolled out its fall agenda recently. It stated that the US ICE would amend existing norms and revise practical training options available to international students holding the F and M Visas.

Internation students pursuing academic courses (towards a degree) get the F Visa while those pursuing vocational training get the M Visa.

Challenges facing international students

The US ICE proposal expected in August 2020, seeks to introduce tougher regulations for the OPT program. The ICE may introduce new guidance which will require DSOs (designated school officers) to confirm that graduate students are employed during their OPT in job positions which are related to their field of study.

Even though the agenda does not divulge details, it could define strict conditions for granting of an OPT. There are speculations that the OPT period may also be reduced. ICE officials have been surveying worksites employing STEM OPT students. Immigration Experts view the fall agenda as an attempt to curtail the OPT program.

As per the Open Doors survey, there are 2.02 lakh Indian students in the US at present. Out of these, 34.2% or about 69,000 are pursuing Engineering courses while 37% or 74,745 are pursuing Computer Science and Mathematics courses.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate to the USA, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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