USA News

Losing Money & Hope: F-1 OPT Wait Kills Job Hunt

A job loss has turned into a major challenge for an international student dealing with OPT delays. The situation highlights broader concerns in the system. The issue has affected both career plans and personal stability.

The F-1 visa holder completed a bachelor’s degree in Physics in December 2025. Their OPT application has reportedly seen no progress for over five months. Even after opting for premium processing in February, there has been no update.

ADVERTISEMENT

The delay resulted in the loss of a job opportunity at a bioimaging lab. The position was scheduled to begin in early February. Without work authorisation, the student could not join, leading to a missed career opportunity.

Efforts to resolve the issue have not produced results. The student contacted USCIS multiple times and visited a field office. They also reached out to Elizabeth Warren’s office but did not receive any clear response.

The situation has gone beyond professional concerns. The student now depends on family for financial support. The uncertainty has also affected mental well being and raised concerns about future career prospects.

The student has secured admission to a graduate program starting in September 2026. However, ongoing delays may impact the SEVIS transfer and future visa chances. This has added to the uncertainty around their plans.

For now, the student’s career remains on hold. The delay is not due to personal choice but system related issues. The case reflects the challenges faced by many international students navigating visa processes.

Share
Manaswini K

Manaswini is a senior writer with extensive experience covering Telugu cinema, as well as the broader Indian film landscape, including Bollywood, Tamil, and other regional industries. With a strong focus on NRI (Non-R…

Published by

Recent Posts

OTTs vs Big Screen: Two Shockingly Opposite Trends

The current, biggest shift in cinema is not just about content, but about time. A…

27 minutes ago

Rs 400 Crore Film Saved In 1 Night?

Literally anything can happen any time in the film industry and politics. Anyone can become…

48 minutes ago