Recently a new bill has been introduced in the US – HR 2315. It clearly states that the OPT program should be abolished. Its main argument is that American students should first get jobs, not foreign students. Even though this proposal is still in the initial stage, it may have an impact, especially on Indian students. Every year thousands of Indian students go to America for higher education. His biggest hope is that after completing his studies, we will gain experience by working there for a few years and will earn well. But if Opt is banned, then they may have to return to India or any other country as soon as studies are completed.
What is opt?
OPT is a special program that runs US Citizenship and immigration service (USCIS). Under this, foreign students can work in America after completing their studies.
The period of normal opt is up to 1 year.
Students of Stem Stream are allowed to work for 3 years.
Indian students, especially engineering, IT and management, take advantage of this program. This is the reason why Indian students will be affected the most if OPT is over.
Bill’s purpose – only American youth job
The objective of the HR 2315 bill is to keep job opportunities safe for American youth. Some American organizations and leaders believe that foreign students are snatching the share of American citizens by taking jobs through OPT. They argue that OPT reduces the salary of American students and companies keep foreign students on cheap package. Therefore, pressure is being made to eliminate Opt.
Will the opt really be banned?
It is important to note that only the bill has been introduced, it has not been passed. Any bill in America has to go through a long process in making laws.
Apart from this, it is not so easy to completely eliminate OPT, because:
Millions of foreign students are studying in America. Universities are largely dependent on their fees.
Large tech companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon provide jobs to foreign students. If the opt is over, they will have difficulty in getting qualified talent.
Both US education system and economy will be damaged when the number of foreign students decreases.
Why will the impact on Indian students be higher?
Every year millions of students from India go to America for studies. The first choice of most of these is that after completing studies, get jobs through Opt.
If Opt is banned, then Indian students will get very less opportunities for getting jobs in America.
They may have to return to India as soon as they complete their studies.
This may reduce the number of students going from India to America.
What is SPT and what is it related to Opt?
SPT (Substantial Presence Test) is a rule related to tax. It decides how many days a foreign person has stayed in the US and will he be considered a taxpayer there.
SPT does not apply to students with F-1 and J-1 visa for the first 5 years.
But this rule is only for tax objectives, it has nothing to do with the OPT program.
Benefits of opt
If the opT continues, then it will be benefited by both students and America:
Foreign students will be able to work for 1–3 years after studying.
American companies will get efficient talent easily.
The trend of Indian students will remain towards America.
Universities will continue to get fees and funding of foreign students.
Loss of ban on opt
If Opt is banned, its major damage will be revealed:
Students may have to return to India as soon as their studies are completed.
American tech companies may lack talent.
Students from other countries including India will show less interest in going to America.
Universities will decrease the income from foreign students’ fees.
