US considers charging $100,000 fee for international graduates seeking to work
International students who want to remain in the United States after graduation to work could face a US$100,000 fee under immigration tightening measures.
The United States is contemplating charging international graduates a $100,000 fee when they seek to work in the country following their studies. This proposal, currently being discussed at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), aims to tighten the country's immigration system. The fee would augment the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, a pathway for international students to work in the U.S. for up to three years post-graduation.
Currently, nearly 418,000 F-1 and M-1 students and recent graduates are authorized to work through OPT in the U.S., representing 26% of all foreign students. However, supporters of the program argue that it is crucial for maintaining America's status as the top destination for global talent, as post-study work opportunities significantly influence students' decisions to study abroad.
The proposal aligns with the administration's strategy to raise fees to discourage foreign nationals from working in the U.S. If approved, it would further augment the immigration system, following a broader push to introduce a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas. Despite the proposal, a federal judge recently ruled the fee for H-1B visas illegal, a decision the White House is appealing.
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