Immigration Nominee calls to end Optional Practical Training for students

Key Takeaways

• OPT allows F-1 students up to 12 months work post-graduation, plus a 24-month STEM extension.
• 242,782 international students participated in OPT during 2023-2024, a 22% increase year-over-year.
• A new administration nominee aims to terminate OPT, risking student enrollment and US STEM workforce.

Executive Summary

The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program is a cornerstone of the United States 🇺🇸 immigration system for international students, offering them a chance to gain real-world work experience after completing their studies. Recent policy statements by a leading Immigration Nominee threaten to end this program, raising concerns across universities, employers, and the international student community. This policy brief examines the background and current status of OPT, analyzes the potential impacts of its termination, explores alternative pathways for international students, and provides evidence-based recommendations for policymakers. The analysis draws on recent data, official government sources, and comparative international practices to inform a balanced, practical approach to the future of international student employment in the United States.

Introduction

International students have long viewed the United States 🇺🇸 as a top destination for higher education, thanks in part to the opportunities provided by the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. OPT allows eligible students to work in the U.S. for up to one year after graduation, with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) graduates eligible for an additional 24-month extension. This program not only benefits students but also supports U.S. employers and universities by creating a pipeline of global talent.

However, the future of OPT is now uncertain. A prominent Immigration Nominee has pledged to end the program, citing concerns about its impact on American students and workers. This policy brief provides a comprehensive analysis of the OPT program, its significance, and the possible consequences of its termination. It also considers alternative pathways for international students and offers recommendations for maintaining the United States’ competitive edge in global education and innovation.

Background

What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a federal program that allows most international students in F-1 status to work in the United States for a limited period after completing their degree. The main features of OPT include:

• Duration: Up to 12 months of work authorization for most graduates.
• STEM Extension: Graduates in STEM fields can apply for a 24-month extension, for a total of 36 months.
• Eligibility: Available to students who have completed at least one academic year at a U.S. institution.
• Types: Pre-completion OPT (before graduation, part-time during school sessions) and post-completion OPT (after graduation, full-time).

For more details, students can refer to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) OPT page.

How Does OPT Work?

• Pre-completion OPT: Students may work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time during breaks.
• Post-completion OPT: Graduates may work full-time after completing their degree.
• STEM OPT Extension: To qualify, employers must be enrolled in E-Verify, have a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN), and provide a formal training plan.

Unemployment Limits:
– Up to 90 days of unemployment allowed during the initial OPT period.
– With the STEM extension, an additional 60 days are permitted, for a total of 150 days.

Relationship to Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is another work authorization for F-1 students, but it is tied directly to the student’s curriculum and must be an integral part of their program of study. Unlike OPT, full-time CPT for 12 months or more makes a student ineligible for OPT. More information is available on the USCIS CPT page.

Analysis

Current Status and Participation

The OPT program has seen record participation in recent years:

• 242,782 international students participated in OPT during the 2023-2024 academic year, a 22% increase from the previous year.
• India 🇮🇳 (97,556 students; +41%) and China 🇨🇳 (61,552 students; +12%) are the largest sources of OPT participants.
• 72% of foreign graduates use OPT, and about one-third later transition to high-skilled work visas, such as the H-1B.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, OPT is the main legal pathway for highly educated international graduates to remain and work in the United States, far surpassing other visa options.

Policy Threats and Rationale

The current administration has announced its intention to terminate the OPT program, with no clear replacement plan. The stated reasons include:

• Belief that international students take university spots and jobs from U.S. citizens.
• Pressure from political coalitions to prioritize American students and workers.
• Legal challenges, including multiple appeals to the Supreme Court, most recently in February 2025.

In March 2025, the vice president described international students as “bad for the American dream,” arguing that they displace American students at universities.

Significance for U.S. Higher Education and Economy

The United States currently hosts over 1.1 million international students, the highest number ever recorded. International students contribute in several ways:

• Tuition Revenue: International students often pay higher tuition rates, supporting university budgets.
• Economic Impact: They contribute billions of dollars annually through tuition, housing, and living expenses.
• Workforce Needs: OPT helps fill critical skills gaps, especially in STEM fields where U.S. employers face shortages.

Global Competition

While the U.S. considers restricting OPT, other countries are expanding opportunities for international students:

• Canada 🇨🇦 has introduced new pathways to permanent residence for international students and temporary foreign workers, making it an increasingly attractive destination.
• The United Kingdom 🇬🇧 and Australia 🇦🇺 have also relaxed post-study work rules to attract global talent.

If the U.S. eliminates OPT, it risks losing its competitive edge in attracting top students and future innovators.

Potential Consequences of Ending OPT

Ending the OPT program would have several far-reaching effects:

1. Reduced International Student Enrollment: Many students choose the U.S. because of the opportunity to gain work experience after graduation. Without OPT, they may look elsewhere.
2. Economic Losses: Universities could lose significant tuition revenue, and local economies would feel the impact of fewer international students.
3. Talent Pipeline Disruption: U.S. employers, especially in STEM fields, would lose access to a vital source of skilled workers.
4. Global Competitiveness: The U.S. could fall behind countries like Canada 🇨🇦, which are actively recruiting international students and offering clear pathways to permanent residence.
5. Uncertainty for Stakeholders: Ongoing policy debates create anxiety for students, universities, and employers, making long-term planning difficult.

Example Scenario

Consider a graduate student from India 🇮🇳 who completes a master’s degree in computer science at a U.S. university. Under current rules, this student can work for up to three years in the U.S. through OPT and the STEM extension. This experience often leads to a high-skilled work visa and, eventually, permanent residence. If OPT is eliminated, this student would have to leave the U.S. immediately after graduation, taking their skills and potential contributions elsewhere.

Options

Policymakers have several options regarding the future of OPT and international student employment:

1. Terminate OPT Without Replacement

• Would immediately end work opportunities for international graduates.
• Likely to cause a sharp decline in international student enrollment.
• Could harm universities, employers, and the broader economy.

2. Replace OPT with a More Restrictive Program

• Could limit work authorization to certain fields or reduce the duration.
• Might address some political concerns but would still reduce the U.S.’s attractiveness to international students.

3. Maintain OPT with Stronger Oversight

• Keep the current program but increase monitoring to prevent abuse.
• Require more robust employer reporting and compliance checks.
• Could address concerns about fraud while preserving benefits.

4. Expand Pathways to Permanent Residence

• Follow the example of Canada 🇨🇦 by linking post-study work to permanent residence options.
• Would make the U.S. more competitive globally and help retain top talent.

5. Status Quo with Clear Communication

• Maintain the current OPT program and provide clear, consistent information to students and employers.
• Reduce uncertainty and support long-term planning.

Recommendations

Based on the analysis, the following evidence-based recommendations are offered:

1. Preserve the OPT Program

The OPT program is essential for maintaining the United States’ position as a global leader in higher education and innovation. Its elimination would have negative consequences for universities, employers, and the economy. Policymakers should preserve OPT as a key pathway for international students.

2. Enhance Oversight and Transparency

To address concerns about misuse, the government should:

• Increase employer compliance checks, especially for the STEM OPT extension.
• Require regular reporting on training plans and employment conditions.
• Provide clear guidance to students and employers on program rules.

3. Develop Pathways to Permanent Residence

The U.S. should consider creating more direct routes from OPT to permanent residence, similar to Canada’s Express Entry system. This would help retain talented graduates and support workforce needs.

4. Strengthen Communication

The government should provide timely, accurate information about the status of OPT and any proposed changes. This will help universities, employers, and students make informed decisions.

5. Monitor International Trends

Policymakers should regularly review international best practices and adapt U.S. policies to remain competitive in attracting global talent.

Conclusion

The Optional Practical Training program is a vital part of the U.S. immigration system for international students. Its potential termination would have wide-ranging impacts on higher education, the economy, and America’s ability to attract and retain global talent. By preserving and improving OPT, the United States can continue to benefit from the skills, innovation, and economic contributions of international students.

For official information on OPT, visit the USCIS Optional Practical Training page.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, maintaining and strengthening the OPT program is crucial for the United States to remain a top destination for international students and to support its long-term economic and innovation goals.

Actionable Takeaways:

• International students should stay informed about policy updates and consult their university’s international office for guidance on OPT and related work options.
• Universities should advocate for policies that support international student employment and provide resources to help students understand their options.
• Employers should ensure compliance with OPT and STEM OPT requirements and consider the long-term benefits of hiring international graduates.
• Policymakers should prioritize evidence-based decisions that balance national interests with the need to attract and retain global talent.

For further details on immigration forms and requirements, refer to the USCIS Forms page.

Learn Today

Optional Practical Training (OPT) → A U.S. program allowing F-1 students to work temporarily in their field after graduation.
STEM Extension → A 24-month OPT extension for graduates in science, technology, engineering, and math fields.
F-1 Visa → Nonimmigrant student visa for academic studies or language training in the United States.
E-Verify → An online system used by employers to confirm employees’ eligibility to work in the U.S.
H-1B Visa → A work visa allowing U.S. employers to employ skilled foreign workers in specialty occupations.

This Article in a Nutshell

The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program enables international students to gain valuable U.S. work experience. Its potential termination threatens university funding, talent pipelines, and global competitiveness. Preserving and improving OPT, alongside stronger oversight and permanent residency pathways, is essential for the nation’s innovation and economic growth in a competitive international environment.
— By VisaVerge.com

Read more:

• Rambhai Patel admits U-visa fraud using staged armed robberies in US
• BN(O) visa sees over 163,000 Hongkongers move to UK since 2021
• Canada changes visitor visa rules for applicants from Punjab
• Morocco faces crisis over visa slots as brokers charge up to MAD 6,000
• UK Immigration White Paper calls for big changes to student visas