Prime Highlights
- Increased US enforcement exposes fake payroll schemes affecting hundreds of OPT students.
- Hundreds are under tight-deadline threat to obtain genuine work or face loss of legal status.
Key Fact
- Over 4,700 student records revoked and 300+ visas revoked in 2025.
- Students linked with phantom employers stand to lose visa status within 60 days.
Key Background
US foreign students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) face record job insecurity as the government escalates the war against payroll fraud. OPT, through which F-1 visa holders can earn practical work experience for as much as 12 months—or 36 months for STEM majors—has been a lifeline portal for millions of students to the US workforce. But through deceit by some employers and consultancies, an epic crackdown has been launched.
In recent months, immigration enforcement authorities discovered employers producing false pay stubs and forging counterfeit employment history to help students remain in visa status without employment. Some of these students who had no idea about such discrepancies are now required to face severe actions. Once they are caught, they are allowed 60 days to acquire lawful employment or leave the country.
Level of enforcement is high. There have been reports highlighting that over 4,700 student records in SEVIS have been terminated for unauthorized employment relationships during the year 2025 alone and over 300 visas have been terminated. All these have instilled fear in the students, particularly those struggling to find verified employers in good time.
OPT students are advised by immigration experts to act with speed and caution. They recommend verification of employer legitimacy, acquiring accurate job descriptions, calling Designated School Officers (DSOs), and being certain about employment records. Being a party to the scams in good faith can lead to the loss of visa status, yet good-faith effort and due diligence will protect immigration status. The recent crackdown highlights the highest requirement for transparency, legality, and affirmative verification in obtaining work under the OPT program.
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