OPT Delays Leave International Students Unable to Work in the US

Delays in processing Optional Practical Training (OPT) applications have left international students in the United States unable to begin work, following an expansion of travel restrictions.

The disruption follows a series of policy changes introduced between late 2025 and early 2026 under the Trump administration. The measures extend travel restrictions to nationals from 39 countries and territories. Nineteen are subject to a full suspension of immigration benefits, while 20 face partial limits. 

Seven additional countries were added in January. Although students can still submit OPT applications, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has paused processing while it introduces new vetting procedures. As a result, many F-1 visa holders have waited for months without a decision.

The delays have led to a growing number of legal challenges. Around 30 lawsuits have been filed against USCIS, with applicants seeking court orders to force action on their cases. Judges have granted injunctions in four instances, requiring the agency to process those applications. In a separate case, Federal Judge George L. Russell III ruled that the indefinite suspension of green card applications is unlawful. 

He said that while authorities may approve or reject applications, they cannot leave them pending without resolution. The ruling applies to 83 individuals and may influence similar cases.

The impact extends to universities and employers, which rely on graduates transitioning into the workforce through OPT. The programme is widely seen as an important step between academic study and professional employment. Continued delays risk affecting the United States’ ability to attract and retain international students.