OPT

Latest in OPT

US OPT Students Face Tax Changes, FICA Exemption on the Line

Two pending bills—the OPT Fair Tax Act and Dignity Act of 2025—would end FICA exemption for OPT, making employees and…

UK Graduate Route: Key Features, Eligibility, and Post-Study Options

The Graduate Route lets international graduates work in the UK for two years (three for PhD) without sponsorship. Proposed cuts…

H-1B Revocation Triggers F-1 Auto-Termination: A Cautionary Case

An August 29, 2025 employer-filed H-1B revocation led to SEVIS auto-termination, ending a recent graduate's OPT and F-1 benefits by…

Three Key F-1 Visa Policy Changes You Must Know Now

A US$100,000 fee will apply to H-1B filings made abroad after late September 2025, while in‑U.S. change-of-status petitions (during OPT/STEM-OPT)…

Top Immigration Stories of 2025: Global Visa and Policy Roundup

2025 saw the U.S. impose a $100,000 one-time fee on new overseas H-1B filings with in-country exemptions, plus a $1,000…

F-1 to H-1B Change of Status: No $100,000 Fee for In-US Filings

The $100,000 surcharge applies mainly to H‑1B petitions filed from abroad, effective Sept 21, 2025. F‑1 students in the U.S.…

Amazon’s 2025 HR Cuts: Stakes for H-1B, OPT, and Global Talent

Amazon’s 2025 cuts target HR/PXT, risking 1,500–2,000 roles as it shifts to AI and cloud. H‑1B holders have 60 days…

OPT and STEM OPT in Peril: Indian Students Face New H-1B Rules

A $100,000 nonrefundable H-1B surcharge effective September 21, 2025, threatens OPT-to-H-1B conversions by raising employer costs. Caps remain unchanged, wage-based…