Heavy Burden on F-1 Students.. $70,000 OPT Fee Proposed

International students planning to work in the United States after completing their studies could face a significant financial hurdle under a new proposal by the Trump administration. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a $70,000 fee for the first OPT recommendation for an F-1 student. A further $30,000 fee would apply to subsequent OPT recommendations, including STEM OPT extensions. Currently, the USCIS application fee for OPT is around $470 to $520, making the proposed institutional fee dramatically higher.

Optional Practical Training allows eligible F-1 students to work in fields related to their studies, generally for up to 12 months after graduation. Students who qualify under STEM disciplines can receive an additional 24-month extension. Although the proposed fees would initially be paid by universities, institutions could potentially pass the costs on to students or employers. DHS says the proposal is aimed at combating fraud, strengthening immigration-system integrity and protecting American workers. The measure is still only a proposal and must go through the public-comment and rulemaking process before it can take effect.