Indian students and professionals planning to study or work in the US could soon face tougher immigration rules.
The Donald Trump administration is preparing several major changes that may affect the H-1B visa program, employment-based green cards, foreign student visas, Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).
Although these proposals have not yet become law, they clearly show the direction of the US government’s future immigration policy.
If implemented, Indian students and skilled workers are expected to be among the most affected.
Three US Departments Working on New Immigration Rules
The proposed changes are part of the latest regulatory agenda released by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Labor (DOL), and Department of State (DOS).
The proposals will still need to go through the formal rule-making process before they take effect.
However, they indicate that significant changes to US immigration policies could be announced in the coming months.
H-1B Visa Rules May Become More Strict
Several important changes are being considered for the H-1B visa program.
Universities, which currently enjoy certain exemptions from the annual H-1B visa cap of 85,000 visas, may face stricter regulations.
Companies that place H-1B employees at client locations may have to provide stronger proof of a genuine employer-employee relationship.
Businesses with more than 50 employees, where over half are on H-1B or L-1 visas, may have to pay an additional $4,000 to $4,500 even when applying for visa extensions.
The Department of Labor is also considering increasing the minimum salary requirements for H-1B and employment-based green card cases by 17% to 34%, which could raise hiring costs for employers.
Green Card Process May Also Change
The US Department of Labor is planning to update the PERM labor certification process, which employers must complete before applying for employment-based green cards.
According to the department, the existing rules no longer match today’s hiring practices.
Under the proposed changes, companies may have to follow stricter recruitment procedures and demonstrate greater efforts to hire qualified US citizens before sponsoring foreign workers.
These changes could begin rolling out as early as July, if approved.
New Rules May Affect International Students
Foreign students may also face major changes.
Currently, many students are allowed to remain in the US for the duration of their studies under the “Duration of Status” system.
Under the proposed rules, students may instead receive visas valid for a fixed period, possibly four years.
After that, they would need to apply for an extension if they wish to continue their stay.
The new student visa rules could be announced by the end of July.
OPT and EAD Changes Could Impact Indian Students and Workers
The administration is also planning changes to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows international students to work in the US after graduation.
Reports suggest that by February 2027, the two-year STEM OPT extension and certain Curricular Practical Training (CPT) rules could become more restrictive.
If implemented, international students may find it more difficult to stay and work in the US after completing their education.
Another major proposal is to end the automatic extension of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).
EADs are widely used by spouses of H-1B visa holders and by people waiting for employment-based green cards.
If these proposals become law, they could significantly impact thousands of Indian students, professionals, and families living in the United States.
