OPT
Optional Practical Training rules for F-1 graduates — 12-month OPT, 24-month STEM extension, application timelines, employer requirements, unemployment limits, and cap-gap provisions.
Trump Administration Intensifies Surprise Site Checks on 100,000 OPT Students
The Trump administration expands OPT oversight with unannounced residence visits and stricter 2026 reporting rules to protect the U.S. labor market.
Senator Eric Schmitt Urges Homeland Security to Review Optional Practical Training Rules
U.S. lawmakers clash over the OPT program, debating whether to codify post-graduate work rights into law or terminate…
$100,000 H-1B Fee Fails to Cut Visa Numbers, Analyst John Miano Says
The $100,000 H-1B fee targets overseas hires, shifting demand toward domestic candidates while keeping the annual 85,000 visa…
Jpmorgan Orders Full Return to Office, Putting H-1B Visa Workers’ Status at Risk
Return-to-office mandates in 2026 create significant legal compliance challenges for H-1B and STEM OPT workers regarding worksite location…
FICA Exemption for OPT and CPT Workers: How to Claim a Refund on Tax Filing
F-1 students must file 2026 taxes by April 15, 2027. Ensure FICA tax exemptions are applied and FBAR…
H-1B Cap-Gap Now Runs Through April 1 Under H-1B Modernization Final Rule
USCIS to notify H-1B lottery winners by March 31, 2026. New rules extend student cap-gap to April 2027…
Hardening U.S. Social Climate Forces International Students to Reconsider U.S. Universities
A hardening U.S. social climate and stricter visa enforcement are driving a 30% drop in student visas, impacting…
Lawmakers Push Bill To Codify OPT Into Federal Law Without Changing Rules
Bipartisan bill seeks to codify OPT into federal law to ensure stability, though current USCIS rules and filing…
Job Seekers Cut Years of Experience from Resumes to Avoid Looking Overqualified
Job seekers are trimming resumes to avoid 'overqualified' labels from AI filters, creating a conflict between hiring speed…
U.S. Reviews Optional Practical Training and STEM OPT Under America First Policy
DHS initiates a formal review of OPT and STEM OPT programs, signaling potential duration cuts and stricter oversight…