Key Takeaways
• Joseph Edlow proposed eliminating OPT on May 21, 2025, during his USCIS director confirmation hearing.
• In 2023-2024, over 242,000 graduates used OPT; 72% of foreign graduates rely on it.
• OPT allows up to 12 months work, plus 24-month STEM extension, aiding transition to H-1B visas.
A major debate is unfolding in the United States 🇺🇸 over the future of Optional Practical Training (OPT), a program that has long allowed international students to work after graduation. On May 21, 2025, Joseph Edlow, President Trump’s nominee for director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), called for the complete elimination of OPT during his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing. This proposal has sparked strong reactions from universities, businesses, and international students, raising urgent questions about the future of skilled immigration and the country’s ability to attract global talent.
What Is Optional Practical Training?
Optional Practical Training, often called OPT, is a program that lets international students on F-1 visas work in the United States 🇺🇸 for a limited time after they finish their studies. There are two main parts to OPT:
- Standard OPT: Allows up to 12 months of work authorization for most students after graduation.
- STEM OPT Extension: Offers an extra 24 months (for a total of 36 months) for students who graduate in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) fields.
OPT is the main way that international graduates can gain work experience in the United States 🇺🇸 and often serves as a bridge to longer-term work visas, like the H-1B.
Why Is OPT Under Threat?
During his confirmation hearing, Joseph Edlow said he believes OPT is a “misapplication of the law.” He explained that he wants to remove the ability for F-1 students to work after they finish school, calling for a regulatory rollback that would end work authorization for international graduates. Edlow’s proposal would eliminate both the standard 12-month OPT and the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
This move is part of a broader push by the administration to restrict high-skilled immigration. Officials have previously said they want to “terminate” OPT, but have not offered a clear replacement. The proposal has caused concern among students, universities, and employers who rely on international talent.
How Does OPT Work Right Now?
As of May 26, 2025, the OPT program is still running. It remains the largest way for international graduates to stay and work in the United States 🇺🇸 after finishing their degrees.
Key facts about OPT:
– In the 2023-2024 academic year, 242,782 new graduates stayed in the United States 🇺🇸 on OPT work permits.
– About 72% of foreign graduates use OPT.
– Roughly one-third of OPT participants later move to high-skilled work visas, such as the H-1B.
Eligibility requirements:
– Students must have maintained valid F-1 status for at least one full academic year.
– They must apply for OPT up to 90 days before finishing their program and no later than 60 days after.
– They must have completed or be completing a degree at a U.S. school.
For the 24-month STEM OPT extension:
– The student must already be in a valid period of post-completion OPT.
– The degree must be in a STEM field from a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
– The employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and have a valid Employer Identification Number.
For more details on OPT eligibility and application steps, students can visit the official USCIS OPT page.
Application Process and Deadlines
Despite the uncertainty, the application process for OPT remains unchanged for 2025 graduates.
For May 2025 graduates:
– Applications for OPT I-20 through the ISSO Portal opened on February 7, 2025.
– The latest date to apply for an OPT-recommended I-20 is July 7, 2025.
– OPT start dates must be between May 10 and July 8, 2025.
For Summer 2025 graduates:
– Applications for OPT I-20 opened on May 10, 2025.
– The last day to apply is October 4, 2025.
– OPT start dates must be between August 9 and October 7, 2025.
To apply for OPT, students must submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization to USCIS, along with supporting documents. The process can take several months, so students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Why Does OPT Matter?
OPT is not just a work permit. It is a key reason why international students choose to study in the United States 🇺🇸. It gives them a chance to gain real-world experience, pay off student loans, and build careers. For many, OPT is the only way to get a foot in the door for longer-term work visas like the H-1B.
OPT benefits:
– Helps students apply what they learned in school to real jobs.
– Makes U.S. universities more attractive to students from around the world.
– Supports the U.S. economy by filling important jobs, especially in STEM fields.
– Allows employers to find skilled workers who have already studied and trained in the United States 🇺🇸.
According to analysis from VisaVerge.com, OPT has become the main path for highly educated immigrants trained in the United States 🇺🇸 to stay and work after graduation. The program is especially important for students from countries like India, who make up a large share of STEM graduates.
What Would Happen If OPT Ends?
If Joseph Edlow’s proposal is adopted and OPT is eliminated, the effects would be wide-reaching:
For international students:
– They would lose the chance to work in the United States 🇺🇸 after graduation.
– Many would have to leave the country soon after finishing their degrees.
– It would be much harder to get an H-1B visa, since OPT is often a stepping stone to that status.
For universities:
– The United States 🇺🇸 could become less attractive to international students, who might choose to study in countries like Canada 🇨🇦, the United Kingdom, or Australia instead.
– Schools could lose tuition revenue and diversity in their student bodies.
For employers:
– Companies would lose access to a large pool of skilled workers who are already trained in the United States 🇺🇸.
– It could become harder to fill jobs in fields like technology, engineering, and research.
For the U.S. economy:
– Research shows that ending OPT would hurt innovation, productivity, and economic growth.
– Both less-educated and more-educated U.S. workers could lose job opportunities, as OPT workers often help create new jobs and support business growth.
Miriam Feldblum, Executive Director of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, warned, “Any rollback of OPT will severely harm international students and our ability to attract talented students from around the world, our nation’s global competitiveness, economic growth, national research capacity, and future innovation.”
Historical Background: How Did OPT Begin?
OPT has been part of U.S. immigration policy since 1947. It started as a way for international students to get work experience after finishing their studies. Over time, the program has grown and changed, especially with the addition of the STEM OPT extension, which allows students in science, technology, engineering, and math to work for up to three years after graduation.
The program’s long history shows how important it has become for both students and the U.S. economy. Many international graduates use OPT to start their careers and later move to longer-term visas or even permanent residency.
What Happens Next? Possible Scenarios
The future of OPT is now uncertain. Several things could happen in the coming months:
- Regulatory Changes: If Joseph Edlow is confirmed as USCIS director, he could start the process to end or limit OPT. This would involve changing government rules, which can take time and usually includes a public comment period.
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Legal Challenges: Universities, businesses, and advocacy groups would likely sue to stop any sudden end to OPT. Courts could delay or block changes while legal battles play out.
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Congressional Action: Congress could pass a law to protect OPT, but this would require support from both major political parties, which is not guaranteed.
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Economic and Political Pressure: Business groups and universities may lobby the government to keep OPT, arguing that it is vital for the economy and for keeping the United States 🇺🇸 competitive.
For now, students, schools, and employers are left in a state of uncertainty. Many are making backup plans in case the program is changed or ended.
What Should International Students Do Now?
If you are an international student or recent graduate, here are some steps you can take:
- Apply for OPT as soon as you are eligible. Don’t wait until the last minute, as processing times can be long.
- Stay informed. Follow updates from your school’s international student office, USCIS, and trusted immigration news sources.
- Talk to your employer. If you have a job offer, let your employer know about the possible changes to OPT and discuss backup plans.
- Consider other options. If OPT is eliminated, you may need to look at other visa categories or consider studying or working in another country.
Employers and universities should also keep up with the latest news and prepare for possible changes. This might include helping students with applications, exploring other visa options, or working with advocacy groups to support the program.
Official Resources and Further Reading
For the most up-to-date information on OPT, students and employers can visit the official USCIS OPT page. This page includes eligibility details, application instructions, and answers to common questions.
To apply for OPT, students must submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization to USCIS. This form is required for all OPT applications.
The Bigger Picture: U.S. Immigration and Global Talent
The debate over OPT is part of a larger discussion about the United States 🇺🇸 and its role in attracting skilled workers from around the world. Many countries, including Canada 🇨🇦 and Australia, have made it easier for international students to stay and work after graduation. If the United States 🇺🇸 makes it harder for students to work after finishing their degrees, it could lose its edge as a top destination for global talent.
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that the outcome of this debate will have long-lasting effects on the U.S. economy, higher education, and the country’s ability to lead in science and technology.
Conclusion: What’s at Stake
The proposal by Joseph Edlow, President Trump’s nominee for USCIS director, to end Optional Practical Training has put the future of international student work in the United States 🇺🇸 in doubt. While the program remains in place for now, students, schools, and employers face real uncertainty about what comes next.
Key takeaways:
– OPT is a vital program for international students, universities, and the U.S. economy.
– The proposal to end OPT would affect hundreds of thousands of students and many employers.
– The situation is changing quickly, and all stakeholders should stay informed and be ready to adapt.
For now, international students should continue to apply for OPT if eligible, keep in close contact with their schools, and watch for official updates. Employers and universities should support their international students and prepare for possible changes. The future of OPT—and the United States 🇺🇸 as a leader in global education and innovation—hangs in the balance.
Learn Today
Optional Practical Training (OPT) → A program allowing F-1 international students to work in the U.S. temporarily after graduation.
F-1 Visa → A nonimmigrant visa for international students studying full-time at U.S. academic institutions.
STEM OPT Extension → An additional 24-month work authorization for graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields.
H-1B Visa → A U.S. work visa for skilled foreign workers, often obtained after OPT experience.
USCIS → United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the government agency managing immigration and work authorizations.
This Article in a Nutshell
The future of Optional Practical Training (OPT), vital for international graduates’ U.S. work, faces elimination. Joseph Edlow’s May 2025 proposal threatens skilled immigration, impacting students, universities, and businesses relying on OPT as a pathway to work and innovation in the United States.
— By VisaVerge.com
