Many students worldwide dream of studying in the United States, partly due to work programs like Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT). These programs allow international students on F-1 visas to gain work experience while studying or after graduation.During the 2022-2023 academic year, approximately 69,000 Indian students enrolled in the OPT program.However, recent decisions by former US President Donald Trump could bring challenges for these students, with possible changes to these work programs.
What Are OPT and CPT?
OPT allows international students to work in the US temporarily. It can be used before or after graduation for up to 12 months. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) students can extend it for 24 more months, making it a 36-month work period. CPT, on the other hand, is for students working as part of their coursework. It requires academic credit, and students must have a job offer before applying. If a student completes full-time CPT for more than 12 months, they become ineligible for OPT.
Why Is the US Restricting These Programs?
Experts claim that OPT and CPT programs were never officially approved by the US Congress. Immigration expert Jessica M. Vaughan, in a House Judiciary Committee hearing on January 22, 2024, stated that some institutes and training programs were fraudulent, issuing fake diplomas for jobs. The US also cites security concerns. In 2023, 539,382 foreign students worked under OPT, STEM OPT, and CPT, including 276,452 in OPT, 122,101 in STEM OPT, and 140,829 in CPT. Due to these concerns, the US is considering stricter regulations for these programs.
