Study abroad

USA F1 Visa 2026: STEM OPT Tightens, Slot Crunch Worsens — Planning Guide for Indian Students

March 2026 USCIS guidance tightened STEM OPT extensions, and Mumbai F1 slots are running 14-week waits. The OPT-to-H1B path still works — but it now demands earlier, more deliberate planning.