Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Nov 13: The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to roll out a new immigration rule that could bring an end — or impose severe restrictions — on the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for international students in the United States.

The OPT program currently allows foreign students to work in their field of study for up to 12 months before or after completing their academic courses. Additionally, students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can extend their work authorization by another 24 months under the STEM OPT provision.

According to a Forbes report, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has listed the proposed rule on its public regulatory agenda, indicating that it could be announced by late 2025 or early 2026.

Each year, nearly 2.5 lakh students benefit from OPT and STEM OPT combined — a key pathway for international graduates to gain US work experience before applying for long-term employment visas.

The move is part of a broader tightening of immigration and visa policies under the Trump administration. Earlier in September, the government proposed altering the H-1B visa selection process to prioritise senior-level professionals over recent graduates, a shift widely seen as disadvantaging international students seeking early career opportunities in the US.

If implemented, the proposed rule could have far-reaching consequences for universities, employers, and foreign students, particularly those pursuing STEM disciplines that heavily rely on the OPT extension for practical exposure and work placements.