The Donald Trump administration has proposed a $70,000 fee for each international student participating in the Optional Practical Training programme, in a move that could significantly affect foreign graduates seeking work experience in the United States.
The Department of Homeland Security announced the proposed fee on Wednesday, saying schools would be required to pay $70,000 for each student’s initial OPT application and $30,000 for every renewal.
The charge would be paid by educational institutions rather than directly by international students.
OPT allows eligible international students on F-1 visas to work in jobs related to their fields of study while completing their education and after graduation.
International students are generally eligible for up to one year of post-graduation employment through the programme. Graduates in certain science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields can qualify for an additional two years.
DHS said the proposed fee was aimed at addressing fraud and abuse within the programme and protecting American workers.
The department has criticised OPT as a system that can be exploited as a pipeline for cheaper foreign labour.
The proposed charge represents a major increase from the existing cost of participating in the programme. The current average fee is reported to be around $500, making the proposed $70,000 initial payment a substantial increase.
The proposal could have significant consequences for American universities that depend on international students for tuition revenue.
It could also affect technology companies and other employers that rely on international graduates, particularly in specialised and STEM-related occupations.
NAFSA, an association representing international education professionals, criticised the proposed change, saying OPT helps international students gain practical experience while contributing to industries facing shortages of skilled workers.
The organisation warned that discouraging international students could affect US innovation, economic growth and workforce development.
The proposed OPT fee is part of a broader immigration crackdown by the Trump administration that has included changes affecting foreign students.
In July, the administration finalised a rule seeking to limit international students and exchange visitors to fixed periods rather than allowing them to remain for the duration of their approved programmes.
The rule proposed a maximum four-year period for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors.
However, a federal judge blocked the measure in September, preventing it from taking effect while the legal challenge proceeds.
The latest OPT proposal will also undergo a public-comment process before it can become final.
The public has 60 days to submit comments, while higher-education and business groups could challenge the measure in court.
If implemented, the proposed fees could make it considerably more expensive for US institutions to employ international graduates through OPT.
The measure could therefore affect the relationship between American universities, international students and employers, particularly in sectors that depend heavily on highly skilled foreign graduates.
