US Proposes $70,000 Fee for Each Foreign Student Seeking Post-Study Work Permission

09/10/2026 nextwiseblog 0 Comments

Universities would have to pay the charge under a proposed rule on the OPT programme, a step that could shrink job opportunities for international graduates, including many Indians.

American flag flying outside a university building as students walk across campus

WASHINGTON — The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a new fee of $70,000 for every international student who wants to take part in Optional Practical Training (OPT), a popular programme that lets foreign students work in the country. The proposal, announced on Wednesday, October 7, is the latest move by the Trump administration to tighten rules for foreign students.

OPT allows students on F-1 visas to gain work experience in jobs related to their field of study, both during their course and after graduation. Most students can work for about one year after finishing their studies, while those in certain science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects can get two more years. At present, the programme costs a student only around $500 in fees.

Under the proposed rule, the new charge would fall on schools, not on students directly. Colleges and universities approved to enrol foreign students would have to pay $70,000 for each student’s first OPT application before recommending that student for work permission. A further $30,000 would be charged for any later request, such as a STEM extension. Reports say the US immigration agency, USCIS, could refuse the work permission if the payment is not made.

DHS says the aim is to protect American workers and to prevent fraud and misuse of the programme. In its announcement, the department argued that OPT has become a way for cheap foreign labour to enter the job market, and said the fee would help make sure that students, employers and schools follow the rules.

The idea has already drawn sharp criticism. Doug Rand, director of the Talent Mobility Fund, a group that supports bringing foreign STEM talent to the US, said that universities should welcome students who wish to use their skills in the country after graduating, and should not be pushed away through a very high fee. He also argued on LinkedIn that DHS does not have the legal authority to impose such a charge.

The proposal comes after the administration’s order in September 2025 to charge a $100,000 fee for certain H-1B work visas. It is still only a proposed rule. It will have to go through the normal process of public review before it can become final, and it may face legal challenges.

Why it matters: India sends more students to the US than almost any other country, and many of them depend on OPT to earn their first work experience and to build a path towards a longer career there. If universities are unwilling to pay such a high fee, fewer students may be recommended for work permission. For now nothing has changed, and students should watch for the final version of the rule.