The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a sweeping new fee structure that could significantly increase the cost of work-based training for international students in the United States.
Under the proposed rule, schools participating in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program would have to pay $70,000 for an F-1 student’s initial Optional Practical Training (OPT) recommendation and $30,000 for each subsequent OPT recommendation. The proposal was released by DHS ahead of its publication in the Federal Register.
The fees would apply to OPT undertaken either before or after graduation. Students who qualify for the STEM OPT extension could also face the $30,000 charge for a subsequent period of practical training.
DHS says the proposal is intended to tackle fraud and abuse, improve oversight of the immigration system and protect U.S. workers. The agency has pointed to cases involving allegedly noncompliant worksites and so-called “pay-to-stay” arrangements as reasons for tighter controls.
Importantly, the proposed charges would not initially be paid directly by students as an OPT application fee. The educational institution would be responsible for paying DHS before its designated school official could recommend the student for OPT. The proposal would, however, allow schools to recover the cost from students, employers or through other arrangements.
Under the existing OPT system, eligible F-1 students can receive up to 12 months of practical training related to their field of study. Graduates in eligible science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields can qualify for an additional 24 months.
OPT has become an important route for international graduates seeking U.S. work experience and, in many cases, later employment under the H-1B visa system. The proposed fees come as the Trump administration is also pursuing broader changes to employment-based immigration.
The proposal is not yet final and does not currently impose the new fees. DHS will accept public comments for 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. The agency will then review the comments before deciding whether to issue a final rule. Immigration attorneys and advocacy groups are already warning that the proposal could face legal challenges if finalized.
