HYDERABAD: A new bill recently introduced in the US House of Representatives has left Indian students from the two Telugu states — eyeing a seat in an US university — worried. The legislation proposes to eliminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, a crucial post-study work opportunity that allows international students to seek employment after graduation.
The bill is yet to pass through multiple legislative processes.
Incidentally, Telugu students form one of the largest cohorts of OPT users from India in the US. Many rely on it to secure jobs that help them repay their hefty education loans, while also gaining work experience.
“I was counting on OPT to work for at least a year and start repaying my Rs 35 lakh loan. Without that, going to the US suddenly feels like a gamble I can’t afford,” said Azeem Siraj, a 24-year-old from Abids, who withdrew his application after receiving his I20.
Another student Saniya Shaikh, who planned to pursue a master’s in Data Science from California has also withdrawn her application for the time being. “It’s too risky,” he said, adding, “If the bill goes through, I may pivot to countries like Canada or Germany where post-study work rights are more secure.”
Many others are now considering following in their footsteps. These students explain how the OPT programme has been, for long, considered a “safety net” especially for STEM students as it allowed for a three-year OPT extension.
‘Might lead to further drop’
Education consultants worry that scrapping the OPT programme could drastically change the way Indians view their US prospects.
“This is not just about a work visa—OPT is the bridge between education and employment. The financial model for studying in the US collapses without it. If the bill is passed, we expect a significant drop in applications from India,” said Sahas Yuvraj from Way2Abroad Consultancy. Some students TOI spoke to admitted to reconsidering their plans.
“Though I am yet to book my visa slot due to unavailability, I am also now wondering if I should withdraw my application,” said Mahender Babu, who wants to pursue a masters in Data Science and has also paid his deposit to the US institute. “If this bill becomes law, it’ll be too late for me to switch. It’s unfair to change rules mid-way,” he said.
Education loan providers and financial consultants are also concerned. According to industry estimates, Indian students take loans between Rs 20 and 50 lakh for their US education. The OPT period is critical in helping them manage repayments before applying for H-1B or permanent residency.
“Students already have several concerns about studying in the US—rising visa rejections, SEVIS terminations, and increased scrutiny, among others. The introduction of the OPT bill has only added to their worries. While some are reconsidering their plans altogether, others are adopting a wait-and-watch approach. We’ve also advised students to explore alternative countries as a backup option,” said Arvind Manduva from I20Fever Consultancy.
