Article Summary

Growing legislative and administrative pressures threaten Optional Practical Training (OPT) and the H-1B visa pathway for international students in the US. These include proposals like Senator Cotton's OPT Fair Tax Act, a new $100,000 H-1B fee, and increased enforcement actions such as site visits and SEVIS terminations. Such changes are creating significant uncertainty for skilled foreign students, particularly from India, who rely on OPT to transition into US employment.

TNP AI: Key Insights

This confluence of legislative proposals, administrative fee hikes, and heightened enforcement signals a significant hardening of the US skilled immigration environment, directly impacting the career prospects and stability of thousands of international students and the talent pipelines of US businesses.

Historically, OPT has served as a crucial bridge for F-1 visa holders to gain practical experience and transition to H-1B sponsorship; these changes fundamentally undermine that established stability, forcing both students and employers to navigate a far more precarious post-study landscape.

As the US tightens its skilled worker pathways, the increased uncertainty and costs will likely encourage a shift in international student destinations towards countries like Canada and Australia, which actively court global talent, potentially impacting US competitiveness and future international enrollments.