India, Aug. 11 -- With authorities in the United States stepping up action against job consultancies, students who are in the country on Optional Practical Training (OPT) are facing renewed uncertainty. In the past, some companies allegedly kept students nominally employed by issuing fake payslips and payroll records, and refused to provide real work. However, these firms are now under stricter oversight.

Hundreds of OPT students were dependent on such practices to maintain their visa status. However, with several consultancies now halting such arrangements, these students have only 60 days to find genuine employment. Should they fail to do so, they risk losing their legal status.

"It's terrifying," a 26-year-old postgraduate student fr...