How DHS OPT Overhaul Could Impact Indian Students in the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is moving ahead with a major overhaul of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program that could reshape the post-study work lives of tens of thousands of Indian students in the 🇺🇸, according to policy documents and regulatory plans expected to unfold through late 2025 and early 2026. While the changes are still in proposal stage and no final rule has been issued, the direction is already causing unease among students, universities, and employers who rely heavily on OPT, especially in science, technology, engineering and math fields.

Core focus of the proposal

At the heart of the plan is a push for stricter rules on employers who hire students on OPT, particularly those on the 24‑month STEM extension. Under the proposal, companies would be required to submit more detailed training plans using Form I-983, a document that already lays out learning goals, supervision methods, and how the work ties to a student’s degree.

Officials want employers to go beyond basic job descriptions and clearly prove that the role is a structured, educational experience rather than simply a way to fill a work slot.

Stronger oversight and enforcement

Homeland Security plans tougher oversight of these training plans, with more checks to confirm they match on‑the‑ground reality. That means:

• More audits, site visits, and document reviews aimed at detecting fraud or programs that drift away from their educational purpose.
• For students and employers, likely outcomes include more paperwork, closer record‑keeping, and a higher risk that minor errors in Form I‑983 or training descriptions could lead to delays, denials, or early termination of work authorization.

Expanded role for SEVP

The government’s student tracking system, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), would gain a larger role in this effort.

• DHS wants SEVP to carry out stronger monitoring of students using OPT.
• Possible measures include tighter reporting rules for schools and faster notifications if a student loses a job, changes employers, or falls out of status.
• According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, universities already stretched by compliance duties fear they may need to expand staff and systems to meet more frequent checks and detailed data demands.

Impact on Indian students and career pathways

Indian students, who make up one of the largest groups in U.S. higher education and are among the heaviest users of OPT, face particularly high stakes.

• Many pursue degrees in computer science, engineering, data, and related disciplines, where OPT has become an informal bridge to H‑1B sponsorship and sometimes permanent residence.
• Any tightening of access to OPT, shortened timelines, or increased risk of denial could:
  • Reduce job options after graduation
  • Push students to consider Canada 🇨🇦, Europe, or India’s tech hubs instead

Potential limits on mobility and work periods

Some parts of the proposal point toward fewer and shorter work opportunities. DHS is weighing measures that could:

• Limit how easily students can switch employers or programs while on OPT
• Shorten grace periods between status changes
• Impose stricter rules for extending work authorization, potentially requiring more formal applications and approvals rather than the currently more flexible system

In fast-moving sectors like technology and engineering, these tighter rules could make employers more cautious about offering roles tied to OPT.

Legislative threat: “Fairness for High‑Skilled Americans Act of 2025”

Alongside regulatory changes, lawmakers have introduced a sweeping threat in Congress: the “Fairness for High‑Skilled Americans Act of 2025.” If passed, the bill would eliminate OPT completely, cutting off a long‑standing route for international students to gain U.S. work experience after their degrees.

• Such a change would require full congressional approval and would likely face fierce debate from universities, industry groups, and state governments.
• The bill’s existence adds another layer of uncertainty for Indian students planning multi‑year academic and career paths around the current system.

Change to “duration of status” (D/S) model

Another major proposal would replace the long‑standing “duration of status” (D/S) model for F‑1 and J‑1 visa holders with fixed periods of stay, reportedly up to four years plus 30 days after the end of the study program.

• Under D/S, students can usually remain in the country as long as they keep to their academic plan and maintain status, allowing flexibility for program changes, delays, or extended research.
• A fixed‑term system would introduce harder deadlines and less room to adjust timelines or smoothly transition from study to OPT and then to longer‑term work visas.

This shift could force graduates to make faster decisions about jobs and immigration strategy, increasing pressure to secure employment, file for OPT on time, or pursue H‑1B or other options sooner.

University readiness and advice burden

Universities are bracing for complex fallout if the rulemaking moves ahead as outlined in federal agendas.

• International offices, which already advise on Optional Practical Training (OPT), would need to:
  • Explain more demanding compliance rules
  • Help students and employers with enhanced Form I‑983 requirements
  • Respond quickly to any SEVP requests
• Many Indian students—especially those from smaller towns or first‑generation families—rely on these offices for clear guidance. A sudden shift to stricter monitoring and fixed stays risks confusion, missed deadlines, or misplaced filings.

Timeline and regulatory process

DHS documents suggest the proposed rule on OPT and related status changes is expected to be published toward the end of 2025 or early 2026, followed by the usual public comment period required for federal regulations.

• During the public comment stage, universities, student groups, employers, and state governments are likely to submit detailed responses warning about possible harm to U.S. competitiveness if OPT becomes harder to use.
• Technology firms, in particular, have long described OPT as part of the talent pipeline, allowing them to evaluate graduates in real roles before seeking longer‑term visas.

For now, nothing in the proposals has taken legal effect, and current OPT rules continue to apply.

• Students can still apply for the standard 12‑month OPT after graduation and, in approved STEM fields, seek the 24‑month extension that many Indian graduates depend on.
• Official guidance for both students and schools remains available through the SEVP portal and related ICE pages, including the SEVP overview that explains the system’s role in managing student and exchange visitor information.

Advisers are already warning new and prospective students to plan with more caution, build backup options, and prepare for a future in which those benefits may narrow.

Human and financial consequences

The human impact of these proposed changes reaches far beyond forms and acronyms.

• For many Indian families, studying in the United States is a major financial commitment made with the expectation that graduates will secure at least a few years of U.S. work experience to recoup costs and boost careers.
• If OPT becomes uncertain, harder to qualify for, or disappears under legislation like the Fairness for High‑Skilled Americans Act of 2025, that basic calculation will change.
  • Some students may still come for the prestige of a U.S. degree.
  • Others could decide the risk is too high when other countries offer clearer or more stable post‑study work rights.

Key takeaway: Proposed DHS rules and pending legislation create significant uncertainty for Indian students relying on OPT as a bridge to U.S. work experience and longer‑term visas. Planning and contingency options are now more important than ever.

Practical advice for current and prospective students

As the regulatory process moves forward, the next two years will be closely watched on campuses from New Delhi to Dallas.

• Current students are urged to:
  • Stay informed through official DHS and SEVP updates
  • Keep regular contact with their university international offices
  • Document job changes carefully and meet all reporting obligations

• Consider short‑term and backup options such as:
  • Internships or research roles
  • Alternative visa categories
  • Plans to pursue opportunities in other countries if U.S. access tightens
• Prospective students should weigh:
  • The potential risks and benefits of committing to a U.S. education while OPT and related pathways are under review
  • Alternatives in countries with more certain post‑study work rights

Quick reference: Proposed items and potential effects

For now, continue to follow official guidance and consult your school’s international office for personalized next steps.