Trump Administration Proposes Huge OPT Fee Increase from $500 to $70,000 for F-1 Students Who Want to Work in the US | Today’s news
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed that international students on F-1 visas pay at least $70,000 for on-the-job training under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, in the latest move by the Donald Trump administration to tighten rules for foreign visa holders.
Under the proposal, F-1 students would have to pay $70,000 to a certified institution for on-the-job training through OPT, while any additional on-the-job training would be charged $30,000, according to a government announcement posted online Wednesday.
The proposed fees would represent a steep increase from the roughly $500 students currently pay to participate in the program.
DHS says the move is aimed at preventing fraud
The Department of Homeland Security said the proposed fees are intended to strengthen oversight of the OPT system and ensure that employers, students and educational institutions comply with immigration requirements.
The agency said the measures were designed “to combat fraud, strengthen the integrity of the immigration system, and protect American workers.”
Under the current OPT system, international students with F-1 visas can receive up to 20 hours of on-the-job training per week while school is in session. Students can also obtain a limited period of work authorization after graduation.
Students who major in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields may qualify for additional work authorization OPT.
DHS said the new fee will ensure that OPT participants engage in activities consistent with their admission to the U.S. as F-1 nonimmigrants.
OPT often serves as a pathway to H-1B visas
The proposed change could have significant implications for international students who rely on OPT to gain work experience in the US after graduation.
OPT has long served as an important bridge between studying at a US university and entering the country’s skilled worker system, including through the H-1B visa program.
The H-1B program has been widely used by technology companies and other employers to hire highly skilled foreign workers, including engineers and scientists from countries such as India and China.
The Trump administration has separately increased pressure on the H-1B program through higher fees and other proposed restrictions.
Therefore, for international students, the proposed OPT fee could represent a significant financial barrier at a stage when many are seeking to transition from education to employment.
Trump previously promised an easier path for students
The proposal also contrasts sharply with Trump’s position on the 2024 campaign.
Trump said during his presidential campaign that he wanted to make it easier for foreign students who graduate from American universities to stay in the country. He proposed that students who graduate from American colleges could automatically get green cards.
His administration has since sought a broader crackdown on foreign visa holders, proposing changes to several categories of nonimmigrant workers and students.
The latest OPT proposal is likely to face scrutiny from universities, employers, immigration groups and international students.
Read also | US green card holder mother denied B1/B2 visa so she is confused
The proposal is not yet final. DHS will allow 30 days for public comment before deciding whether to issue a final rule.
If finalized, the department said it would wait another 60 days before introducing the new requirements, giving schools, students and employers time to prepare.
