Auto-Rejections, Ghosting: F-1 OPT Jobs Dry Up

F-1 visa students in the United States are facing a severe employment crisis. The job market has tightened, and new H-1B policy changes are adding to their challenges. Many students now find their career prospects shrinking faster than expected.

Mass Auto-Rejections Reported

Students on OPT say they face mass auto-rejections when applying for jobs. Recruiters often end calls once they hear the candidate is on OPT or STEM OPT. Even initial screenings are ending in silence, with no communication afterward.

Job Offers Pulled Back

Several students reported completing full interview rounds only to have offers withdrawn at the last moment. One student said they had even discussed salary but never received an official letter, leaving them stranded without options or clarity.

Underpaid Roles Become Common

With limited choices, many students accept low-paying jobs just to maintain their OPT status. These roles fail to match their skills or education, but students feel they have no other option if they want to remain employed legally.

Heavy Reliance on Connections

Some students admit that the only way they secured jobs was through friends or family. Networking has become essential, as the open market rejects international applicants, often cancelling interviews or refusing to respond after repeated follow-ups.

Stress and Uncertainty Grow

The current environment leaves international students anxious and uncertain. Their future careers and lives in the U.S. feel unpredictable, dictated by unstable policies and a job market that seems increasingly hostile toward foreign graduates.