OPT
Optional Practical Training rules for F-1 graduates — 12-month OPT, 24-month STEM extension, application timelines, employer requirements, unemployment limits, and cap-gap provisions.
PAUSE Act Advances: Freeze on H-1B, OPT and All U.S. Immigration
H.R. 6225, the PAUSE Act, would impose an open‑ended freeze on most immigration, terminate H‑1B, cancel OPT, and codify steep H‑1B fees. Supporters cite worker protection and fiscal concerns; universities,…
F-1 OPT Corrected Notices Spark Anxiety Among Post-2025 Filers
USCIS issued corrected receipt notices saying the 180-day automatic employment extension does not apply to OPT filings after…
Are F-1 Visas from 19 Ban Countries Still Being Processed?
The June 9, 2025 proclamation suspended visa issuance for 19 countries, halting most new F-1 visas. Twelve countries…
Can Afghan, Iranian, and Venezuelan Students Renew Visas Now?
A June 9, 2025 State Department order halted new visas for Afghans and Iranians abroad without valid visas…
No Confirmed J-1 Crackdown Under Trump Policies in November 2025
Despite widespread November 2025 rumors, no official U.S. policy has newly targeted J-1 Exchange Visitor Visas. Existing vetting…
Travel Risks and OPT Outcomes for Students from Countries Under Review
Although OPT procedures are unchanged, students from reviewed countries face greater scrutiny and travel risk. USCIS mails EADs…
Can B-1/B-2 Visa Holders from Restricted Countries Enter the U.S.?
The June 2025 proclamation blocks many B-1/B-2 travelers from 19 named countries, with narrow exemptions for green card…
DHS OPT Overhaul: What It Means for Indian Students
Current OPT rules remain unchanged, but DHS proposals and a new House bill could reshape work options for…
F-1 OPT at Risk Amid Amazon Job Delay and SEVIS Issues
Delays at major employers threaten F-1 OPT students limited to 60 unemployment days. An Amazon case with 57…
U.S. Net Immigration Plunge: Implications for Visas and Talent
Net migration dropped from nearly 2 million in 2024 to about 515,000 in 2025, tightening the labor supply.…