F-1 OPT Now a Curse for Indian Techies in US?

A 31-year-old Indian IT professional, with 7 years of experience and three of them in the US, is now stuck in a never-ending spiral of debt and rejection.

After losing his job in October 2024, right when his STEM OPT expired, he had no option but to enroll in a second Master’s program, just to maintain his visa status. Day 1 CPT was the only way to stay afloat at that time.

However, it came at the cost of more student debt and maxed-out credit cards. Moreover, the extended stay didn’t help his future either as he’s now jobless, overqualified, and mentally exhausted.

Recruiters ghost him the moment they hear “F-1 visa.” And even when he gets interviews, he gets the polite rejection email within days.

Sadly, he’s not alone. Dozens of others, some on OPT, others on Day 1 CPT, are in the same boat as they are discarded like trash.

This is a brutal reality check for many NRIs chasing stability in the US, especially under the current government. While many are already looking for alternatives, some still persist.