US May Impose $100,000 OPT Fee on International Students Seeking Jobs After Graduation: Report

The Donald Trump administration is considering a $100,000 fee for international students who want to work in the United States after graduation through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, according to The Wall Street Journal. The proposal has not been finalised, but if implemented, it could significantly increase the cost of staying in the US for employment after completing a degree.

At the same time, the US government has finalised a separate regulation that would replace the long-standing “duration of status” system for many international students with a maximum authorised stay of up to four years. Students whose academic programmes require additional time would need to seek an extension from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

What Is the Proposed $100,000 OPT Fee?

OPT allows eligible international students studying in the US on F-1 visas to gain practical work experience related to their field of study after completing their education.

Under the current arrangement described in the report, most international students can work for up to one year after graduation through OPT. Students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields can generally qualify for up to three years of work authorisation.

The programme can provide graduates with an opportunity to gain professional experience and, in some cases, pursue longer-term employment in the US through routes such as the H-1B work visa.

The proposed $100,000 charge is still under discussion within the Department of Homeland Security. Officials have yet to decide whether the fee would have to be paid by international graduates themselves or by the companies that employ them.

Why the OPT Proposal Could Affect International Graduates

For international students, the ability to work after completing a US degree can be an important consideration when deciding where to study. OPT can help graduates gain work experience and potentially recover part of the substantial cost associated with studying in the United States.

A $100,000 fee could therefore create a significant financial hurdle. If employers were responsible for paying the charge, companies could become more cautious about hiring international graduates. If students were required to pay it themselves, the cost could put OPT beyond the reach of many graduates.

The proposal could consequently affect the attractiveness of the US as a destination for international education. According to the report, around 419,000 international graduates were working under OPT in 2024.

US Plans Four-Year Stay Limit for International Students

The proposed OPT fee comes alongside another major change in the US student visa system. The government has finalised a regulation that would end the “duration of status” approach used for international students for decades.

Under that system, students could generally remain in the US for as long as they maintained their full-time student status and complied with their visa requirements, without having a fixed end date for their authorised stay.

The new regulation would instead generally allow international students to remain in the US for up to four years. Students whose degree programmes, PhD courses, medical education or research take longer would need to apply to the Department of Homeland Security for an extension before their authorised stay expires.

The same change would also affect many exchange visitors and foreign journalists working in the United States, according to the report.

However, the regulation still has to go through congressional approval before it can officially take effect.

Why Is the Trump Administration Tightening Student Rules?

The Trump administration says the measures are intended to strengthen oversight of the immigration system and enhance national security.

“No policies should be considered final until formally announced. At DHS, we are always having conversations about how to use all tools in our arsenal to protect the integrity of our legal immigration system,”

a DHS spokesperson said.

The administration has already introduced tighter measures affecting student visas and changes to the H-1B work visa system. Officials are also working on broader changes to OPT, with further proposals expected later this year, according to the report.

What Could the Changes Mean for Indian Students?

The developments are particularly relevant for Indian students, who represent one of the largest international student groups in the United States. The report says more than 3.3 lakh Indian students are currently enrolled in the country.

For students considering US universities, the proposed OPT fee does not currently amount to a final policy. The $100,000 charge remains under discussion, while the four-year stay regulation has not yet taken effect.

However, the proposed changes point towards tighter regulation of the transition from international education to employment in the United States. For prospective students and their families, the cost and predictability of the post-study work pathway could become increasingly important factors when evaluating an American education.

For now, both developments remain subject to further action. The OPT fee has not been finalised, and the new four-year stay rule still requires congressional approval before coming into force.

Source: The Wall Street Journal