Trump administration proposes a $70,000 fee for international students to work in the US
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a $70,000 fee for international students who wish to participate in the optional practical training (OPT) program in the United States. OPT enables students to work in jobs related to their major during or after their time in school, with eligibility for up to four years post-graduation, depending on their field of study.
Schools would have to pay the fee for each student's initial application to the program, with an additional $30,000 fee for each renewal. The $70,000 fee aims to deter fraud and abuse of the visa program, which the DHS describes as a "pipeline for cheap foreign labor." International education advocates argue that such a fee could negatively impact American innovation, economic growth, workforce development, and global leadership, as OPT allows students to gain valuable hands-on experience and address labor shortages in high-demand STEM fields.
The proposed rule faces a 60-day public comment period before it can be finalized and implemented, and it may face legal challenges from higher education groups or business associations.
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