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Many of those who were working beyond 20 hours per week or working outside the campuses have quit such part-time jobs; those who have just entered the workforce after completing their studies are worried about their visa status; others who are considering the US as their only option for study abroad are now also considering Europe and Australia. A few have also changed their travel plans to the US.
Indian students, primarily on F-1 visas, are typically permitted to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week. Study abroad consultants including Leverage.biz, Collegify, ForeignAdmits, EduVib, Career Mosaic and IDP are in constant touch with the students and guiding them against any actions that may hamper their stay in the US.
As there are some students who have been working off-campus or exceeding the 20-hour weekly limit. “These students are now relinquishing such part-time jobs, which could jeopardize their legal status in the US,” said Adarsh Khandelwal, co-founder of Collegify.
Those with legal documents need not worry. “President Trump is against undocumented workers in the US, and hence international students abiding by the F1 visa regulations do not need to worry,” said Piyush Kumar, regional director, South Asia at IDP Education.
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However, students currently in their OPT (Optional Practical Training ) or looking for internships are finding it hard to get a job “due to market slowdown”, Kumar added.
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Nikhil Jain, founder and chief executive, ForeignAdmits, is also in touch with many of his old students.
“One of my old students who graduated 3 years ago is married and working at an MNC. He is now worried about his newborn child's future in the USA,” Jain shared.
The recent executive order on birthright citizenship and potential OPT restrictions are causing anxiety. Due to visa uncertainties many students in the master’s programmes have changed travel plans in the last few days due to visa uncertainties, said Jain.
President Donald Trump issued ten executive orders and proclamations seeking to change the face of US immigration law and policy.
“An MBA student in a work from home model with an IT firm has just also quit. He made $150-200 a week. He says it is not worth the risk,” shared Khandelwal.
Tuition costs in the last 10 years have almost doubled, and so have the living expenses, say experts. Most students survive by taking part-time jobs, most of which are outside campus.
Some students, desperate to make ends meet, also take up unsafe jobs—at petrol pumps, grocery stores, or mechanic shops.
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A few Indian students are also exploring backup options in countries like Germany, Ireland, France and Australia, experts said.
“Fear of deportation and the tightening net on undocumented part-time work have already pushed many students into financial uncertainty, compelling them to quit jobs that supplement their educational expenses,” said Waseem Javed, founder & CEO of EduVib.
Akshay Chaturvedi, founder of Leverage.biz says despite all odds India's STEM talent is going to remain most sought-after globally. "We have increasingly seen is a very proactive support systems from Universities, even employers, stepping up to provide guidance / resources. Yes, the H-1B is in a bit of a tough spot, but other pathways like National Interest Waiver (NIW), O-1 visa for exceptional talent, and employer-specific work visas continue to hold steady."
