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The United States is experiencing a significant downturn in the number of Indian STEM graduates choosing to remain and work in the country. New data reveals a stark 42% drop in Indian students participating in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program since its peak in 2017. This trend indicates a shifting landscape, where America is no longer the primary destination for top international talent seeking to launch their careers.
The OPT program allows international graduates to gain work experience in their field for up to three years. Historically, nearly 95% of Indian STEM graduates opted for OPT extensions. However, this figure has now fallen to approximately 78%, signaling a substantial change in preference and opportunity. This decline is part of a broader 18% overall decrease in international student participation in the US since 2017.
Several factors contribute to this exodus. Increased complexity and uncertainty surrounding the H-1B visa lottery, coupled with longer and more arduous pathways to permanent residency, create significant anxiety for skilled graduates. The growing need for job sponsorships further complicates their prospects. Simultaneously, other nations like Canada, the UK, Australia, Germany, and even Gulf countries are actively attracting global talent by offering more streamlined immigration processes and post-study work opportunities.
This exodus of Indian and Chinese STEM master’s graduates, who once comprised nearly 30% of all international graduates in the US, could potentially impact the nation’s technological and research infrastructure. For India, this presents a dual outcome: fewer students seeking opportunities abroad, but also a potential return of highly skilled professionals to emerging tech hubs within India or other attractive global locations.
