Washington: In the US, a newly proposed bill intended to terminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme has created widespread panic among Indian students who are pursuing higher education there, Siasat reports.
It is learned that more than 300,000 Indian students are currently enrolled in various US universities, and they are facing uncertainty about their future.
According to Siasat, the OPT programme allows international students, particularly those in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, to work in the country for up to three years after graduation. This programme-provided temporary work authorization allows students to gain industry experience, repay education loans and improve their chances of securing long-term employment through the H-1B visa. However, a proposed legislation seeks to cancel the OPT programme.
This would mean international students who are yet to acquire an H1-B visa will have to leave the US after completing their education. Also, in the case of an H-1B visa, there is a lottery-based selection system and annual cap, which causes fear in many that they might not secure a visa.
Indian students form a significant portion of the OPT programme beneficiaries. They are particularly worried about the financial burden, career uncertainty and H1-B challenges, Siasat writes.
Therefore, many in the student community are scrambling to secure job offers from employers who are willing to sponsor H-1B visas, though due to the limited slots, success is uncertain.