Trump administration plans to charge international students US$70,000 for work authorisation
WASHINGTON: The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed that international students pay at least US$70,000 in training fees if they want to work in the country, according to a government notice posted online on Wednesday, part of the Trump administration’s wider crackdown on foreign visa holders.
The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed a significant increase in fees for international students seeking work authorization in the United States. According to a government notice, nonimmigrant students with F-1 visas could be required to pay a minimum of US$70,000 for on-the-job training known as Optional Practical Training (OPT), as well as US$30,000 for additional work training.
The Department of Homeland Security claims these new rules aim to combat fraud, strengthen immigration system integrity, and protect US workers. Currently, international students pay around US$500 to enrol in these programs. The DHS is setting this fee to ensure that employers, students, and institutions are engaging in appropriate activities consistent with their admission as F-1 nonimmigrants.
These training programs often serve as a stepping stone for students seeking work under H-1B visas, which the Trump administration has also targeted with higher fees. The proposed rule change is expected to face legal challenges, as similar DHS proposals have been struck down in court. The proposal is open to public comment for 30 days before finalisation, after which DHS will wait 60 days to implement the rule to allow schools, students, and employers time to prepare.
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