The work window that made US degrees worth it for Indians is now under threat

May 22, 2026 | 11:07 IST

For thousands of Indians, the Optional Practical Training work window after graduation made the expensive US education gamble worth taking. A new fraud crackdown could change that

Anadya* thought she had a plan. In a few months, she is set to leave India for the United States after securing admission to her dream institution, Parsons School of Design, in New York City.

Like thousands of Indian students before her, she had mapped out the journey: study in the US, graduate, work for at least a year under Optional Practical Training (OPT), and use that time to find an employer willing to sponsor her for the H-1B lottery.

TOI

TOI

The work window that made US degrees worth it for Indians is now under threat

For thousands of Indians, the Optional Practical Training work window after graduation made the expensive US education gamble worth taking. A new fraud crackdown could change that

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TOI

The work window that made US degrees worth it for Indians is now under threat

For thousands of Indians, the Optional Practical Training work window after graduation made the expensive US education gamble worth taking. A new fraud crackdown could change that

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