The Morning Brief Will Indian Students OPT out of America?
Apr 17, 2025
Nikhil Jain, founder of ForeignAdmits, and Adarsh Khandelwal, co-founder of Collegify, dive into the potential abolition of the OPT program, a key post-graduation opportunity for international students. They discuss the implications for Indian students, who make up over 40% of OPT approvals. The duo emphasizes the financial stress faced by students with hefty education loans and explores alternative study destinations like Canada and the UK as safer options. The conversation highlights the urgent need for students to navigate these significant changes.
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OPT: The Indian Student Bridge
- OPT (Optional Practical Training) is a crucial bridge for Indian STEM graduates to gain U.S. work experience after studies.
- Proposed legislation threatens to eliminate OPT, risking India’s dominant share of OPT approvals and U.S. appeal for Indian students.
OPT's Financial and Academic Impact
- Most Indian students pursuing STEM in the U.S. rely on OPT to recoup costly educational investments.
- Master's and PhD students face the most anxiety as OPT elimination would severely impact their post-study plans.
Growing Anxiety and Legal Help
- International students are increasingly anxious due to potential OPT cancellation and stricter U.S. visa regulations.
- Many seek legal help and explore alternatives like Canada because OPT’s safety net is crucial for students’ peace of mind.