As global demand for higher education grows, more international students are choosing the United States for their studies. According to the Open Doors Report, there were 1,126,690 international students from over 210 countries in the U.S. during the 2023-2024 academic year, marking a 7% increase from the previous year.
Graduate Students Reach Record Numbers
International graduate students and those on Optional Practical Training (OPT) reached record highs in the 2023/2024 academic year. According to Open Doors data:
Graduate students: There were 502,291 international graduate students, an 8% increase, setting a new all-time high.
OPT students: The number of students on OPT, gaining practical work experience, rose by 22% to a record 242,782.
Undergraduate students: International undergraduates remained steady at 342,875, a slight decrease of 1% from the previous year.
Non-degree students: After a 28% increase the previous year, non-degree enrolments, including intensive English and exchange programmes, saw a 12% decline, totalling 38,742 students.
India Becomes Top-Sending Country
For the first time since 2009, India became the top-sending country of international students to the United States. Together, India and China accounted for over 54% of all international students in the U.S. during the 2023/2024 academic year.
India’s student numbers reached 331,602, a 23% increase from the previous year. The rise was particularly notable at the graduate level (196,567, +19%) and among students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) (97,556, +41%).
China remained the second-largest source of international students, despite a 4% decline to 277,398 students. Chinese students continued to dominate among undergraduates (87,551) and non-degree students (5,517), while those on OPT grew by 12%, reaching 61,552.
New enrolments also remained strong, with 298,705 new international students in 2023-24, maintaining the same level as the previous year and returning to pre-pandemic numbers. Many of these students, however, face significant barriers when it comes to work opportunities, due to complex visa regulations and stringent work authorization processes. The ability to work in the U.S. is not just a financial necessity for many international students, but also an opportunity to gain valuable experience in a globalised job market.
Despite these aspirations, work authorization remains a major hurdle for international students, particularly those on F-1 visas. While students can engage in certain types of employment, the restrictions are numerous and often unclear, making it a challenge for students to navigate these legal complexities. Let’s explore the key challenges faced by international students in securing work opportunities in the U.S. and discuss how these hurdles affect their academic and professional futures.
Understanding Work Options for International Students
International students on F-1 visas are subject to a range of work restrictions designed to protect the domestic job market. There are three primary types of work authorization available to these students: on-campus employment, Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Curricular Practical Training (CPT). On-campus work is often the easiest to access, but even here, students are limited to working 20 hours per week during the semester and up to 40 hours per week during holidays or summer break.
However, for most international students, the opportunity to gain meaningful work experience lies in OPT and CPT. While these programmes offer a path to gain experience in their field of study, the application processes are highly competitive and subject to delays, making it difficult for students to secure positions before graduation.
The Bureaucratic Hurdles: Delays and Complex Processes
One of the most significant challenges international students face is the long and complex application process for work authorisation. For OPT, students must submit their applications up to 90 days before their programme completion date, and approval can take up to 90 days thereafter. As the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has been facing increasing backlogs, students often find themselves in a precarious position—unable to start working until their OPT status is approved.
For example, in a 2023 survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), 40% of international students reported facing delays of more than three months in receiving their OPT authorisation, with some waiting up to six months. These delays not only create financial strain but also hinder students’ ability to gain the practical experience that is crucial for securing long-term employment in the U.S.
Uncertainty with Immigration Policy Changes
In addition to bureaucratic delays, shifts in U.S. immigration policy under different administrations contribute to an ongoing sense of uncertainty among international students. The Trump administration, for instance, proposed a series of restrictions aimed at curbing work opportunities for foreign nationals, including international students. Although some of these policies were rescinded under the Biden administration, the lack of consistency in policy changes leaves international students in a constant state of apprehension regarding their future work prospects.
Recent data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security shows that in the 2022-2023 academic year, only 24% of international students with an F-1 visa were able to secure a position under the OPT programme, indicating that even when students meet all the criteria, the competition for available spots is fierce.
Barriers to Post-Graduation Employment
For many international students, the ultimate goal is to transition from an F-1 visa to an H-1B work visa after graduation, but this process is fraught with challenges. The H-1B visa, which is highly sought after by international students, has a cap of 85,000 new visas annually, and the application process is lottery-based. This means that even if students have a job offer, they are not guaranteed an opportunity to stay in the U.S. long-term. In 2023, the H-1B visa lottery had an acceptance rate of just 22%, a statistic that underscores the difficulty of securing permanent employment for international students.
Financial and Psychological Impact
The inability to work or gain relevant work experience also has significant financial and psychological consequences. International students often rely on their ability to work to support themselves and fund their studies. Without access to full-time employment, many students face financial pressure, which can lead to increased stress, mental health issues, and even academic challenges.
A 2023 report by the International Student Economic Impact Study revealed that 58% of international students reported experiencing anxiety or depression related to their financial situation and work constraints. This statistic highlights the far-reaching effects that work authorization limitations can have on students’ overall well-being.
Work Authorization Overview for International Students (F-1 Visa)
The Road Ahead
The challenges international students face in securing work authorization in the U.S. are manifold and significant. From bureaucratic delays and changing immigration policies to intense competition for limited job opportunities, these barriers create uncertainty and stress for students who are already navigating the demands of academic life. However, as international students continue to be a vital part of the U.S. educational ecosystem, it is crucial for policymakers and universities to advocate for more streamlined processes, clearer regulations, and more opportunities for international students to gain work experience.
For international students navigating the maze of U.S. work authorisation laws, it is essential to stay informed, plan ahead, and seek guidance from their university’s international student office. By addressing these challenges, both students and policymakers can help ensure that international students have the best possible chance of success in their academic and professional journeys in the U.S.
