What is Optional Practical Training?
Optional Practical Training, or OPT, is a long-standing US government program that allows international students on an F-1 visa to work for a temporary period in a job directly related to their field of study. Typically, graduates are eligible for up
to 12 months of work authorization, giving them a chance to apply their academic knowledge in a real-world setting. For many, it’s a critical stepping stone, offering invaluable professional experience and a potential pathway to a longer-term work visa like the H-1B. The program is particularly vital for those in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, who can apply for a 24-month extension, allowing for up to three years of work experience in the US.
India's Overwhelming Presence in OPT
The headline's claim is not an exaggeration. Indian students form the largest contingent of international students participating in OPT. According to the Open Doors survey for the 2024-25 academic year, there were 363,019 Indian students in the US, and a staggering 143,740 of them were participating in OPT. In fact, data shows that students from India account for nearly half of all OPT participants. This dominance is even more pronounced in the high-demand STEM fields, where Indian nationals made up 48% of all participants in 2024. This makes the OPT program a cornerstone of the US educational journey for a massive number of Indians, directly influencing their decision to study there in the first place.
A Wave of Disruptive Rule Changes
The ground is shifting for these students. A significant change, effective September 15, 2026, is the elimination of the “Duration of Status” (D/S) system. For decades, D/S allowed students to remain in the US as long as they were enrolled and compliant. The new rule replaces this with a fixed admission period, typically the length of the study program or four years, whichever is shorter. This means students in longer programs or those who transition to OPT may need to formally apply for an Extension of Stay with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), adding paperwork, fees, and uncertainty. Furthermore, the grace period to remain in the US after a program ends is being cut from 60 days to just 30, compressing the time graduates have to find a job or make other arrangements.
New Burdens and Looming Threats
Beyond the fixed-term stay, other changes are creating anxiety. New rules for the STEM OPT extension introduced in January 2026 have already increased the compliance burden on both students and employers. These include more frequent employer attestations and stricter wage documentation requirements, making it more complex to maintain the visa status. More alarmingly, reports have surfaced in July and August 2026 that the administration is considering a massive fee—potentially as high as $100,000—for students to use the OPT program. While officials have not confirmed the proposal, the mere discussion has sent shockwaves through student communities and universities, which fear it could deter international enrollment.
The Human Cost of Uncertainty
For Indian students and their families, who often invest their life savings into a US education, these changes represent a significant threat to their return on investment. The OPT period is not just about earning money; it's about gaining the global experience that makes a US degree so valuable. The combination of a shorter grace period, a more complicated extension process, and the potential for prohibitive fees creates a high-stakes environment. Students now face tighter timelines and greater bureaucratic hurdles. This uncertainty has led advocacy groups to push back, with some US lawmakers even introducing the 'Keep Innovators in America Act' to protect the OPT program by formally codifying it into law.
