Extreme Delays: What’s The Situation Of F1 And OPT Students In US?

The United States authorities have largely confined the immigration process as they’ve made it extremely tough for people to enter the country.

A growing number of international students in the United States are facing serious uncertainty due to long green card delays, and a recent case involving an F1 student has highlighted the complexity of the situation.

The student, who has been studying in Illinois, applied for a family based green card in December 2022. Nearly two years later, the application remains pending, leaving the student unsure about future work authorization.

As graduation approaches, the student must complete an internship to meet academic requirements. Normally, F1 students rely on Optional Practical Training to legally work after completing their studies.

However, the long wait for permanent residency has created confusion over whether to continue with OPT or switch to a work permit linked to the pending green card application.

Immigration experts and fellow students have cautioned against using a green card based employment authorization document while still studying.

Doing so could result in the loss of F1 status, which may jeopardize education and legal stay in the country. OPT is widely seen as the safer option because it allows students to maintain their visa status while gaining work experience.

This case reflects a broader issue affecting many international students, particularly from countries with long green card backlogs. The delays are forcing students to make difficult decisions that could impact their careers and future in the United States.