International Students Could Face $70,000 Work Permit Fee Under Trump Plan

International students in the United States could face a major new cost for post-study work authorization. The Department of Homeland Security has proposed a $70,000 fee for initial Optional Practical Training participation. The proposal applies to F-1 students seeking work training through the OPT (Optional Practical Training) program. However, the fee would initially be charged to certified educational institutions, Colleges and universities in this case, not directly to students. DHS says the plan aims to combat fraud and protect U.S. workers.The plan remains a proposal and is available for public comments till November 9, it has not become a final rule yet.

Schools could decide how to cover the new charge under the proposed rule. DHS specifically acknowledges that institutions could pass the cost to students or employers. That means international students could ultimately face the financial burden of the proposed fee. A subsequent OPT recommendation would carry a separate $30,000 proposed fee. The agency cited concerns about misuse of OPT and its connection to employment beyond student training. The proposal also points to the growth of STEM OPT participation in recent years. DHS reported 165,524 students participating in STEM OPT based on 2024 information. The agency said that figure was nearly twice the annual H-1B statutory allocation.

How the OPT Fee Would Work, and Why DHS Wants It

Optional Practical Training or OPT allows eligible F-1 students to gain work experience related to their studies. Students can use OPT before completing their studies or after graduation. Eligible students generally can receive up to 12 months of regular OPT. Qualifying STEM graduates can receive an additional 24-month STEM OPT extension. Due to which the STEM programs have become an important route from U.S. universities into the workforce. Under this proposal, schools would pay $70,000 for an initial OPT recommendation. They would pay another $30,000 for a subsequent OPT recommendation involving the same student. The school must pay before its designated official can recommend OPT through SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). Without that payment, a student could not apply for work authorization with USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).

DHS says the fee would encourage schools to examine OPT applications more carefully and thoroughly. The agency says the fee is meant to fight fraud and protect American workers, also this measure would strengthen oversight and reduce potential program abuse. The agency argues a steep price would push schools to review each Optional Practical Training or OPT request carefully. Its proposal also cites a 2020 visa fraud case involving fraudulent employment documents for at least 2,693 people, most of them were Chinese F-1 students seeking OPT. In addition, DHS says stronger financial requirements could make fraudulent participation less attractive.

Could the $70,000 Fee Reach Students, and What Happens Next?

The proposal does not require schools to charge students the $70,000 directly. Schools would have to decide how to cover the new charge. Some schools may absorb the cost; however, DHS says they could also pass it on to F-1 students or employers. The proposal creates a large institutional cost tied to each OPT recommendation. Schools would therefore have to decide how they handle that additional expense. Education groups such as NAFSA, also known as Association of International Educators (originally founded in 1947 as the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers) have already warned of deeper uncertainty for international students.

The stakes are high, since there was a 17% drop in first-time student arrivals last fall. Critics also expect court fights, and one advocate argued that DHS lacks authority for the fee increment proposal. The proposal is far from final, so nothing has changed for students today. DHS is accepting public comments from October 8 through November 9 before they can finalize it. That delay would give schools, students and employers time to prepare for the changes. Until the rule is finalized, the proposed $70,000 fee is not an active requirement. After that, the agency must review the feedback and publish a final version. DHS would then wait 60 days after finalization before implementing the rule.

Web Resources on the Proposed $70,000 OPT Fee

1. Reuters : Trump administration plans to charge international students $70,000 for work authorization.
2. South China Morning Post : US proposes US$70,000 fee for foreign students to work after graduation.
3. Politico : DHS proposes $70K fee for international student work program.
4. Fox News : DHS proposes massive $70K fee for foreign students seeking work authorization.