Indian students planning to work in the US through Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation will have to follow a new process under the revised F-1 visa regulations from September 15, 2026. Under the new framework, students whose fixed period of stay expires while they are on post-completion OPT will generally have to apply for both employment authorisation and an extension of stay.
The regulations replace the "duration of status" (D/S) system with a fixed period of admission. Students admitted after September 15, 2026, will receive an authorised stay for the length of their academic programme mentioned on Form I-20, or up to four years, whichever is shorter, followed by a 30-day departure period.
