Latest news with #OPT
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Fired from your job? Here's what thousands of H-1B workers can do
The immigrant employee post-termination guide has been shifted to the digital archives of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) which suggests that even though it may no longer be applicable in the same manner, it's still available to refer to those recently fired from their jobs. When a non-immigrant worker's employment ends, either by choice or force, they typically either become beneficiaries of a nonfrivolous petition to change employer or file an application for change of nonimmigrant status, adjustment of status, or a 'compelling circumstances' employment authorization document. ALSO READ| What is USCIS's new policy for green card applicants starting from 11 June? Here's a rundown One of these actions is required to be taken during the 60-day grace period extended to recently unemployed nonimmigrants and is usually calculated based on the last day a salary or wage is paid. Failure to take any action during this period can result in a person being forced to leave the country either once the period ends or on their authorization date, whichever option is closer. The grace period is usually provided to help beneficiaries look for suitable alternative employment or allow their spouses to continue their job roles if they carry an Employment Authorization Document or are employment-authorized incident to status. H-1B visa holders caught up in such a situation can start their new job role as soon as their employer files Form I-129, rather than waiting for it to be approved. However, those filing for jobs in different classifications need to wait for approval which takes less than 15 business days to come through. Those under the grace period are not permitted to leave the country. Failure to comply may require them to seek a new immigration status for re-entry. In the circumstance of a non-immigrant worker being outside the country at a time when the notice period has ended, the grace period is no longer applicable. If the person returns before the lapse of their notice period, a discretionary grace period may be provided. Students in the US on a 24-month Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) OPT cannot acquire more than 150 days of unemployment during this period, including the post-completion phase and 24-month extension. Those on an F-1 visa cannot acquire more than 90 days of unemployment during post-completion of OPT since their visa status is attached to their employment. ALSO READ| Demand for H1-B visa continues, USCIS receives over 3.5 lakh registrations in FY26 The 60-day grace period is only applicable to those holding E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1, or TN classifications (and their dependents).
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Indian students in US at risk of deportation over not declaring job status
Hyderabad: Several Indian students in the US were served notices to prove their employment status, but many have reportedly refrained from responding due to fear of deportation. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now These students admitted they were not currently engaged in any authorised employment, making them vulnerable to removal from the country. The notices, issued by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), require students to respond within strict timelines—typically 15 days—or risk immediate termination of their visa status. However, many students decided against responding. The trigger was the failure to report employment under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT programme, or exceeding the allowed unemployment window. Students on F-1 visas are permitted a total of 90 days of unemployment during regular OPT, and an additional 60 days for those under STEM extensions. Breaching this limit, or failing to update employment details in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), is considered a violation of visa rules. 'They asked me to submit a letter from my employer, proof of payroll, and an updated I-983 form within 15 days,' said a 26-year-old tech graduate, currently based in Texas. 'I panicked—I don't have a job. I've applied everywhere, but I haven't heard back. Now I don't know what to do.' Those who fail to comply may have their SEVIS records terminated, which would mean immediate loss of legal status and the initiation of deportation proceedings. For many students, the threat of removal is not just about immigration—it's financial survival. The average Indian student graduating from a US institution carries an education loan burden ranging between Rs 25 to Rs 45 lakhs. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now With no job, no way to repay, and no visa security, the crisis is pushing some to remain in the country unlawfully. 'I don't want to become illegal, but going back means financial ruin,' said a graduate in data analytics from Atlanta. 'My father took out a loan against our house. If I leave now, we're done. How?' Some have refrained from responding to ICE altogether, fearing their confession of unemployment could speed up removal. 'It's a trap either way,' said a computer science student from Chicago. 'If I say I'm unemployed, they might deport me. If I stay silent, they'll still come after me. But at least I'll have time to figure something out.' Immigration consultants are advising affected students to warn that silence may worsen their case. 'Not responding can be interpreted as an admission of guilt or non-compliance,' said Ravi Lothumalla, an immigration consultant based in Dallas. 'The right way is to respond honestly and seek reinstatement if possible, but many students don't even know they have that option.'
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Amazon, Google, Tesla among top 25 OPT hirers in US; Indians lead STEM list
More international students in the US were hired through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme in 2024 than ever before — and Amazon, Google and Microsoft emerged as the top recruiters, according to the latest Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) data released by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Under OPT, foreign students on an F-1 visa are allowed to work in the US in a role related to their field of study, either during their course or after graduation. Those with degrees in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) can also apply for a two-year STEM OPT extension. More foreign students worked in 2024 According to DHS, 194,554 foreign students received OPT work authorisation in 2024, up from 160,627 in 2023 — a 21.1% increase and the fourth consecutive year of growth. An additional 95,384 students were approved for STEM OPT extensions, reflecting a 54% rise from the previous year. Meanwhile, 130,586 students worked under Curricular Practical Training (CPT), representing a slight decline of 0.4%. The total number of unique foreign students who received practical training approval (after removing duplicates for those who received more than one authorisation) was 381,140. Most students who took part in STEM OPT in 2024 were from India and China. Of the 165,524 students approved: 48.0% were from India 20.4% were from China California continued to host the largest share of international students, with 14.6% of all active SEVIS records — 237,763 in total. Top 25 employers for foreign students under OPT in 2024 (pre- and post-completion) Amazon – 5,379 University of California – 2,112 Arizona State University – 1,895 University of Texas – 1,305 Bright Mind Enrichment and Schooling – 1,234 Tesla – 1,170 Goldman Sachs – 1,148 Apple – 1,135 Google – 1,110 Meta – 1,081 Microsoft – 1,066 ByteDance – 1,045 Deloitte – 1,033 Walmart – 951 Intel – 946 State University of New York – 906 Ernst & Young – 889 Johns Hopkins – 827 Harvard – 799 Community Dreams Foundation – 795 University of Michigan – 767 University of Southern California – 717 University of Illinois – 714 McKinsey & Company – 680 JP Morgan Chase – 675 Top 25 employers for foreign students under STEM OPT in 2024 Amazon – 6,679 Google – 1,778 Microsoft – 1,496 Meta – 1,302 University of California – 1,302 Walmart – 1,140 Intel – 1,023 Apple – 973 Goldman Sachs – 962 Tesla – 901 JP Morgan Chase – 887 Ernst & Young – 854 Deloitte – 833 McKinsey & Company – 810 ByteDance – 642 Tata Consultancy Services – 639 Stanford University – 541 University of Texas – 536 Citigroup – 517 Bloomberg – 456 Qualcomm – 455 Oracle – 445 Boston Consulting Group – 412 NVIDIA – 410 Cummins – 410 Top 25 employers for foreign students under CPT in 2024 Amazon – 3,205 Tesla – 1,118 Lindsey Wilson College – 1,028 Google – 880 Microsoft – 819 NVIDIA – 743 Meta – 657 Deloitte – 614 Apple – 600 Intel – 512 JP Morgan Chase – 400 Goldman Sachs – 386 Walmart – 344 ByteDance – 337 Adobe Inc – 332 Advanced Micro Devices – 319 Cummins – 308 Ernst & Young – 299 World Bank – 292 CVS – 276 Qualcomm – 270 University of Texas – 267 Morgan Stanley – 267 Tata Consultancy Services – 266 Boston Consulting Group – 181 OPT used to access long-term US jobs According to Varun Singh, managing director at XIPHIAS Immigration, the continued surge in OPT and STEM OPT reflects how international students are using the route to access longer-term job opportunities in the US. 'The growing demand for skilled talent in sectors like technology, engineering and healthcare has created an environment where Indian students are increasingly seen as a strong workforce,' he told Business Standard. Singh added that the STEM OPT extension gives Indian graduates more time to build networks and secure employment. 'Despite the competitive H-1B process and shifting visa rules, the OPT route remains a critical bridge for many students aiming to build careers in the US,' Singh said.
The Wire
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
Post-Degree Jobs Won't be Available Any More in the US, But It is Still the Best Option
Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute Now India sends students to the US in record numbers, but this academic year, applicants are feeling anxious before they head out. The changing policies of the Trump administration is likely to cause delays and tougher immigration questioning, among other things. Moreover, it is likely that the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows F-1 visa holding students to work for a year or more, will be modified if not terminated. That was one of the great attractions for foreign students in the US. So is it still worth going to the US to study? 'Absolutely' says Viral Doshi, who has advised Indian students heading to the US for the last 20 years. 'No other country can match up to the US,' he says, in sheer number of colleges, in the kinds of courses it offers and in the experiences one can have. He acknowledges that parents have anxieties but 'I tell them, have patience,', he says in a podcast discussion with Sidharth Bhatia. 'Almost 50 percent students have already got visas and others will too, maybe a few weeks late for the first semester.' He says universities depend foreign students and are saying they will allow students to come late.' 'America is not the same as it was some years ago. Things have changed. 'No more internships and no more jobs or work experience'. And most important, he adds, 'Avoid political activism.' The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Migrating to US too big of a gamble now, rue students
Hyderabad: The 'Great American Dream' seems to be on the wane among students from the Telugu states aspiring to migrate to the United States for higher education. Worried by a sudden freeze on US visa slots, confusion around the Optional Practical Training (OPT) policy and abrupt revocations of SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) IDs, hundreds of prospective applicants from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have dropped their US plans — ahead of the popular Fall season. Consultants in Hyderabad that TOI spoke to peg this decline at a significant 60% to 70%. Some even claim that dozens of students have either withdrawn their applications or put them on hold in the last 10 days alone. The Fall intake — stretching from Aug to Sept — typically accounts for nearly 60% of the yearly student traffic from these two southern states to the US, especially in STEM disciplines. In 2024, India sent that largest cohort of students (3.3 lakh approx) to the US, according to the Open Doors Report, and students from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh form the majority with 13%, as per Indian Student Mobility Report by the Univeristy Living. Worst crash ever "The demand has just crashed," said Arvind Manduva, founder of I20Fever Consultancy that has multiple branches across Telangana. "In June alone, we used to process as many as 2,000 applications. This year, we barely touched 400. Normally by now, our teams are neck-deep in last-mile visa documentation. But 2025 is unlike anything we've seen before. Uncertainty has paralysed students, If they do not release visa slots within next two weeks, the ones who are still keen on flying to the US will lose out on this intake," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Consultants said that even students with I-20 forms (which certifies students' admission to a study program and verifies their ability to financially support themselves) are backing out owing to uncertainty over visa. "Those who booked slots in April are the only ones with a clear path forward. Everyone else is stuck in limbo. The rate of withdrawals is at an all-time high," said Rajni Mankotia of Way2 Abroad Consultancy. OPT bill confusion Adding to the chaos is the proposed bill that could ban or significantly restrict OPT, a key post-study work benefit that many Indian students rely on to repay their educational loans. "Everyone I speak to is advising against going to the US right now. And if OPT goes away, how will we pay back our loans? It's too big a gamble. I'll try again next time," said a 26-year-old woman from Hyderabad who recently withdrew her application from a supply chain management course. Consultants said that only a small group of high-performing students are still pursuing their US dream. "These are students who applied to top-tier universities and are academically strong. They're taking the risk — but they are the exception, not the rule," said Ankit Jain of One Window Overseas Education Consultancy. Sources in the US consulate, meanwhile, said they too are awaiting an official update from Washington DC on the visa issue. "Only after that can we inform students about the next steps," said a source. Alternate destinations In the wake of the US conundrum, local students are turning to alternate destinations — Europe being the most preferred academic hotspot. "The ones withdrawing from US universities are applying to Germany, France, and Luxembourg in large numbers," said Sanjeev Rai from Hyderabad Overseas Consultant. Shubh Sathe, a 28-year-old tech professional from Hyderabad, is among them. "The tuition fee is more affordable, the competition is less, and the visa process is more predictable. I'm seriously exploring these destinations for post-study work opportunities and long-term prospects," he said.
