Latest news with #OPT
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Amazon hire unable to start job due to this H-1B visa hurdle, Reddit weighs in
Landing a job at Amazon is a dream come true for many techies. But what's the catch here? Securing a U.S. visa. One newly hired Amazon employee recently took to Reddit to share their frustrating visa-related ordeals, that's put their career in question. 'I recently received an offer from Amazon (super grateful for that!), but I'm currently facing an issue with the timing of my H1B transfer,' the candidate wrote. Notably, after getting selected in this year's H-1B lottery, the candidate now faces a technical barrier. Although Amazon offered a start date of 6 August, immigration lawyers have advised against joining on OPT (Optional Practical Training), warning that it could jeopardise their H-1B status down the line. ALSO READ| Just one straight answer cost a Delhi student his US visa, Reddit speculates what went wrong 'Amazon can only file my H1B transfer petition around October 2nd, and I can start as soon as the receipt notice is issued, which usually happens the next day,' the candidate explained. 'I confirmed with an immigration lawyer that I don't need to wait for approval to start — the receipt notice is enough.' The delay in the petition filing means the employee can't start work until October. 'My recruiter said she's working on matching me with a team that can accommodate an October start, since my current team might need someone earlier. I'm hoping they can check with the same team again, but I totally understand if business needs don't allow that,' they added. For many Indian professionals on the H-1B path, this limbo is all too familiar. It's not just about delayed job starts, it's about paused career growth, delayed financial stability, and the weight of life plans that hinge on a single piece of paperwork. The Redditor asked fellow users if Amazon, 'I heard that the Amazon interview result is valid for a year — is that true?' While responses varied, one user suggested, 'Might be worth asking in blind or Amazon employees sub. Depending on your role, you might get matched to another team without interviewing or might need to as well. But I'm sure this is something they've dealt with so should have a plan.' ALSO READ| One honest answer cost him his US visa, claims Indian, Reddit weighs in 'Don't jeopardise the H1B. You'll hopefully get Amazon again. Just stay in touch with the recruiter,' another commented. 'Stay with your current employer on h1b and then move to amazon in Oct. are you approved for l4 or l5? You don't need to interview, but keep a connection with recruiter, he will find you a role in Oct,' one user tried to understand the situation better.
NDTV
a day ago
- Business
- NDTV
F1 Visa, College Choices And Career Goals: A Guide To Studying Abroad
Reported by Ambika Singh Studying abroad is a dream for many Indian students, but navigating the complex maze of applications, visa rules, university requirements and financial planning can be overwhelming. With rising competition and evolving global policies, expert guidance has become more crucial than ever. While seeking admission to a prestigious US college, children and their parents are faced with big questions like - will they get their F1 visa? What if the visa application gets rejected? If you can't get your F1 visa, what are the other options? In this series, NDTVs Ambika Singh Kahma will bring you all the answers and more to clear your doubts about going and studying in the US. From navigating the complexities of the F1 visa process to exploring alternative pathways, we'll try to provide you with expert insights, practical advice, and real-life examples to help you make informed decisions. In this story, Anjana Anand, Founder and CEO of FYCGlobal, answers some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to calm the anxiety of students and parents, especially in the wake of the US' crackdown on international students. What are the latest developments in US student visa policies, and how might they affect international students? Anjana Anand: Visa processes are stricter now, students need to be extra clear about their intent and have all their documents in order. How do recent changes in F1 visa regulations impact a student's ability to study, work, or stay in the US after graduation? Anjana Anand: There's a closer watch on how students use work permits like OPT everything has to match your course and be logged properly. What steps can students take to avoid SEVIS violations and ensure they remain in good standing while in the US? Anjana Anand: Stay enrolled full-time, report any changes on time, and don't take up part-time work unless it's officially allowed. What are the most common mistakes students and families make when choosing a study abroad destination? Anjana Anand: Many follow rankings or friends without asking what truly fits them. They overlook the importance of learning style, campus vibe, and long-term goals. As I say to every family I work with: Not every student will go to Harvard. But every student can find their Harvard. The right college is the one where you grow, belong, and thrive. How should a student evaluate the difference between a public and private university in the US, especially for business studies? Anjana Anand: Public ones are usually cheaper and bigger; private universities can offer smaller classes and stronger networks. It really depends on your style and goals. What are the key academic and cultural differences between the US and countries like India or the UK? Anjana Anand: The US system is flexible and interactive - you're expected to speak up, explore subjects, and build relationships with professors. The UK is more focused and independent, with fewer assessments and deeper subject specialisation from day one. Indian students need to shift from rote learning to critical thinking, and be proactive in class and on campus. If a student's F1 visa is denied, what options do they have? Anjana Anand: They can reapply, or explore solid alternatives like Canada, the UK, Ireland, EU or Singapore. And for undergrad, India is becoming a serious contender, with global-quality programs in business, liberal arts and tech. India's growing economy offers increasing opportunities and here, you're not a visitor, you're the first citizen. Sometimes, the right path is closer than we think. How can students make the most of CPT and OPT without breaking any rules? Anjana Anand: Plan early, talk to your college advisor, and make sure the job is linked to your major: that's key. How should students choose a country or course based on long-term goals? Think beyond college: what kind of life or career do you want after? Choose a place that supports that. What's the biggest dilemma parents face in this journey? And how should parents think about success today? Anjana Anand: Letting go a little. Balancing their dreams for the child with what the child actually wants: it's not easy. About success, they need to understand that success isn't just a fancy college name. It's about the child being happy, adaptable and doing work that means something to them. Anjana Anand has 29 years of experience across education, social work and youth mentoring. She has been honoured with the Youth Change Maker Award (2022) and WCCA Career Coach Award (2025).
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump wants to police the speech of international students
It's hard to feel much sympathy for Harvard University. It has historically absorbed billions of dollars in federal subsidies and research grants, while discriminating against some applicants based on their race prior to the 2022 Supreme Court decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard. But now, President Donald Trump is ending all remaining federal grants to Harvard. And beyond cutting off federal money, the administration has gone further by threatening to block Harvard's access to all foreign students in 30 days. Worse, it is pausing all interviews for new foreign students, as well as the so-called exchange visas, while the administration considers whether and how to vet applicants' social media accounts. This goes way too far. There's not a single terrorist attack in the last 50 years that would have been prevented by such a thorough and subjective search, but the administration would likely use it to exclude students with unpopular opinions. (On Thursday, a federal judge extended a temporary order blocking the administration's attempt to bar Harvard from enrolling international students.) Moreover, the administration is completely off-base in its attacks on universities and international students. There are more than 1.1 million foreign students enrolled in American colleges and universities, amounting to just under 6% of the 19.1 million students enrolled in higher education. According to the Open Doors 2024 Report on International Educational Exchange, 56% of foreign students studied STEM, about 25% studied math and computer science, and nearly one-fifth studied engineering. Skilled immigrants often start as foreign students and end up staying. Elon Musk started as a student at the University of Pennsylvania before getting an H-1B visa. Usually, after the H-1B (or another temporary visa called OPT), the migrants are sponsored for a green card, and then they can eventually become American citizens, just as Musk did. Another South African immigrant, Patrick Soon-Shiong, completed his surgical training at UCLA before inventing the drug Abraxane for lung, breast and pancreatic cancer. 'The innovation this country spawns is the only way I think that America continues to be the leader of the world,' Soon-Shiong, now a billionaire and the owner of the Los Angeles Times, said in 2017. 'We still have the best universities, and I think it's crazy that (foreigners) come here and we train them as masters and PhDs and then we kick them out. That's ridiculous.' The data bears out Soon-Shiong's observations in innovation and entrepreneurship. From 1950-2000, a 1 percentage point increase in immigrants results in 15% more patents on a per capita basis. But entrepreneurship is even more important for innovation, and that's where immigrants really shine. According to research by economist Pierre Azoulay and his co-authors, immigrants are 80% more likely to start a business, their businesses created about 50% more jobs, they start more businesses at every size, and they pay about 1% higher wages than firms started by native-born Americans. Abandoning student visas doesn't mean kicking high-skilled immigrants out today, but it does mean that many fewer will be here in the future because they're kicked off the bottom rung of the ladder. Canceling student visas will actually counteract the intent of the administration's trade war. The administration started its trade war on the false notion that countries with trade surpluses have taken advantage of Americans. 'We're just not going to get ripped off anymore,' Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said. But even if the trade surplus were an economically meaningful number, ending student visas is counterproductive because, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, they amount to a $50.2 billion export. The effect of canceling student visas is to increase the trade deficit. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently announced that the administration will more aggressively review visas for Chinese students with ties to the Communist Party and who study 'critical fields.' Espionage is a legitimate concern, although an overblown one, but sending a signal to intelligent and hard-working Chinese students that the U.S. doesn't want them will do more harm. If the administration is truly worried about China, it makes little sense to lock their smartest students in a communist dictatorship during a trade war in which one of the main goals is to reduce the trade deficit with China (even though the latter point isn't important). Beyond just the myopic assaults on immigration, policing international students' speech isn't a worthy task for America's border bureaucrats. And even if it were, they should be able to do it without pausing all student visas. The Trump administration should abandon this endeavor before it starts. This article was originally published on
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Will your student loan survive U.S. policy shifts?
In this insightful interview with Mr Prashant A. Bhonsle, Founder and CEO, Kuhoo Finance, we unpack the changing landscape of student loans with this leading education finance expert. From the impact of U.S. OPT rollback to rupee-dollar volatility, we explore how Indian students can make smarter financial choices. Learn about AI-driven loan eligibility, embedded finance during admissions, and why picking the right course and country is more than just a dream—it's a financial strategy. This video is a must-watch for study abroad aspirants, parents, and education counselors navigating high-risk, high-investment decisions.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Why Harvard has a strong chance to prevail over Trump in immigration lawsuit challenging student visa rules
Why Harvard has a strong chance to prevail over Trump in student visa lawsuit Harvard University is engaged in a high-profile legal battle with the Trump administration over its ability to enroll international students, a dispute that has significant implications for US higher education. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, effectively barring the university from admitting international students. This drastic move came after Harvard refused to comply with federal demands to relinquish control over its admissions, hiring, and governance policies. However, Harvard responded by filing a lawsuit challenging the revocation, and a US District Court granted a temporary restraining order, blocking DHS's decision for now. The case revolves around the Trump administration's broader efforts to tighten immigration controls on foreign students, including plans to eliminate Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT programs that allow graduates to work in the US. Harvard, which has about 25% of its student body consisting of international students, argues that DHS's actions are retaliatory and violate federal regulations designed to ensure due process. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] - 2025 Top Trending Search - Local network access Esseps Learn More Undo Legal experts and Harvard's complaint point to significant procedural missteps by DHS, giving the university a strong chance to succeed in court. Procedural errors and lack of due process in DHS action At the heart of Harvard's lawsuit is the claim that DHS did not follow its own rules when revoking the university's SEVP certification. According to the complaint, the department failed to issue a Notice of Intent to Withdraw (NOIW) or provide the opportunity for appeal as required under 8 C.F.R. § 214.4(b). Harvard's legal team notes that the regulations only allow DHS to terminate a school's certification through formal withdrawal proceedings or if the school voluntarily withdraws, neither of which occurred in this case. Harvard produced thousands of records in response to DHS's demands, including detailed information on international students' academic status and disciplinary actions. However, DHS deemed Harvard's response insufficient without citing any specific violations or regulations, as reported by the Forbes. The department's May 22 letter also demanded far-reaching data, such as all audio or video footage of protests involving international students on campus over the past five years — a request that exceeds the scope of typical recordkeeping requirements. Jonathan Grode, a legal expert quoted by the Forbes, said the complaint 'is well organized, filed swiftly and lists ten compelling counts in seeking relief.' He added that the administration's failure to follow proper procedure is likely the strongest basis for the court to side with Harvard. Impact on academic freedom and US competitiveness Harvard's fight goes beyond the university itself and raises concerns about the future of academic freedom and the US's ability to attract top international talent. The Wall Street Journal editorial, as reported by the Forbes, described the government's action as a 'short-sighted attack on one of America's great competitive strengths: its ability to attract the world's best and brightest.' The loss of SEVP certification would affect thousands of current and prospective international students, disrupting their education and careers. Former Cornell Law Professor Stephen Yale-Loehr, quoted by the Forbes, warned that while Trump's administration may lose this legal battle, it could still succeed in discouraging international students from applying to US universities. The combination of lawsuits, threats to OPT programs, and visa uncertainties has already caused anxiety among more than 1,000 international students at Harvard and beyond. In sum, Harvard's lawsuit challenges not only the legality of the Trump administration's immigration policies but also their broader consequences for US higher education. Given the procedural flaws and the high stakes involved, Harvard appears to have a strong chance to prevail and protect the rights of international students in the US. Ready to empower your child for the AI era? Join our program now! Hurry, only a few seats left.
