OPT
Latest in OPT
F-1 to H-1B Change of Status: No $100,000 Fee for In-US Filings
The $100,000 surcharge applies mainly to H‑1B petitions filed from abroad, effective Sept 21, 2025. F‑1 students in the U.S.…
Amazon’s 2025 HR Cuts: Stakes for H-1B, OPT, and Global Talent
Amazon’s 2025 cuts target HR/PXT, risking 1,500–2,000 roles as it shifts to AI and cloud. H‑1B holders have 60 days…
OPT and STEM OPT in Peril: Indian Students Face New H-1B Rules
A $100,000 nonrefundable H-1B surcharge effective September 21, 2025, threatens OPT-to-H-1B conversions by raising employer costs. Caps remain unchanged, wage-based…
OPT Under Fire: Indian Students Face Uncertainty Over Jobs and Status
A proposed $100,000 H‑1B fee, tougher DHS rules, and stepped-up enforcement are making OPT-to-H‑1B transitions riskier for Indian students. Over…
HUD Rule Bans FHA Loans for Non-Permanent Residents (H-1B/OPT)
Mortgagee Letter 2025-09 (March 26, 2025) excludes non‑permanent residents—including H-1B and OPT holders—from FHA loans. Mandatory for FHA case numbers…
Compact for Academic Excellence Remains Limited to Nine Institutions
The Compact for Academic Excellence would offer preferred federal funding to colleges that eliminate DEI, freeze undergraduate tuition for five…
Trump’s Tariffs and Immigration Policy: Global Trade and Jobs Outlook
Despite Trump’s tariffs, the global economy stayed resilient in 2025, with near‑3% GDP growth and rising trade. U.S. growth and…
OPT Program Faces Termination Risk Amid 2025 Legislative Push
OPT remains in effect as of October 14, 2025, but faces possible termination under a new bill that would require…