OPT

Latest in OPT

Why Ending OPT Could Outweigh the H-1B Fee in U.S. Tech

A $100,000 fee now applies to new H-1B petitions filed from outside the U.S., but exemptions for OPT-to-H-1B transitions keep…

Grassley Demands End to OPT for F-1 Students Amid Tensions

Sen. Grassley urged DHS to end OPT work authorizations for F-1 students, threatening 12–36 month post-study work rights. Universities, employers,…

New $100,000 H-1B Fee Threatens OPT Path for Indian Students

A new $100,000 fee applies to certain H-1B petitions for workers abroad starting September 21, 2025, for 12 months. F-1…

Dignity Act and HIRE Act: Higher FICA for OPT Wages

Congress is reviewing the Dignity Act, ending FICA exemptions for OPT students, and the HIRE Act, adding a 25% outsourcing…

Beyond H-1B: Diversifying U.S. Career Paths for Indian Students

Facing tougher H-1B odds, Indian students are relying on OPT and STEM OPT as core strategies, supplemented by cap-exempt H-1B,…

H-1B $100K Fee Spurs OPT-Driven Bypass to Hire Foreign Talent

A $100,000 annual fee on new H-1B petitions starts September 21, 2025; employers increasingly favor OPT—no cap, no fee, and…

Banks Proposes American Tech Workforce Act to Raise H-1B Wages

Sen. Jim Banks’ American Tech Workforce Act (Sept. 17, 2025) would raise H‑1B wages to at least $110,000, replace the…

American Tech Workforce Act: End OPT and H-1B Lottery

The American Tech Workforce Act would eliminate OPT, raise H-1B salary floors to around $110,000 (potentially higher), and replace the…