Just when students and professionals hoped the $100,000 H-1B fee confusion had settled, another immigration rule has landed.
From October 30, the Trump administration has ended automatic extensions of certain Employment Authorisation Documents (EADs) — the work permits that allow hundreds of thousands of people to stay employed while renewals are processed.
This shift affects: F-1 students on OPT, H-4 visa holders (mostly spouses of H-1B workers), and asylum seekers.
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Until now, many could continue working while their renewal filed with USCIS was pending. Now, all must undergo fresh vetting and wait for approval before they can resume legal work. This timeline could stretch for months.
Indian nationals, who form a large share of both OPT students and H-4 dependants, are among the worst hit.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR INDIAN STUDENTS
For Indian students, this rule change comes at the worst possible moment. The popular F-1 to OPT to H-1B pathway, which is the standard route into the US workforce, is already under pressure.
Students on F-1 visa get 12 months to work after thei
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