Revoking of OPT extension by Trump to divert Indian STEM students elsewhere

Australia, Canada, New Zealand likely to benefit from revocation plans

Newly-elected US president Donald Trump's plans to reverse extension of Optional Practical Training (OPT) for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students could benefit immigrant-friendly nations like Australia, Canada and New Zealand, among others.

OPT allows foreign STEM students to extend their stay in the US after completion of studies for 6-12 months under student visa. Foreign students are found to make use of OPT to either look for jobs or apply for further education or simply float around till the OPT term expires. The regime of previous US president Barack Obama had looked to extend the same to over three