Proposed DHS rule could significantly raise the cost of post-study work experience for foreign graduates, with a $30,000 fee proposed for subsequent OPT participation
Washington, October 2026: The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a major increase in the cost of Optional Practical Training (OPT) for international students, suggesting a $70,000 fee for students seeking initial participation in the programme and $30,000 for any subsequent OPT participation.
The proposed fees are not currently in effect. DHS will accept public comments on the proposed rule from October 8 through November 9 before reviewing the submissions and deciding whether to issue a final regulation.
OPT is a temporary employment authorisation programme that allows eligible international students in F-1 status to work in the United States in jobs directly related to their field of study. The programme is widely used by foreign students graduating from US colleges and universities and is particularly important for graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Under the proposed system, the fee would be paid by schools certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The payment would have to be made before a designated school official recommends an eligible student for OPT through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
According to DHS, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) would not grant employment authorisation to a student if the required fee had not been paid by the school.
The proposed charge would not be tied to a particular employer or job. Instead, it would apply when a school recommends an F-1 student for participation in any form of OPT. DHS said the money collected through the proposed fees would be deposited into the US Treasury.
DHS Cites Fraud and Programme Abuse
The department said the proposed fees are intended to address fraud and abuse, strengthen the integrity of the immigration system and protect American workers.
“Optional Practical Training was never meant to be a back door into the American workforce, a subsidy for cheap labour, or a prize for those who game the system,” a DHS spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that DHS was seeking to strengthen OPT by requiring foreign students to justify their value to employers and argued that American workers should not have to compete against a programme that, in the department’s view, had become a channel for low-cost foreign labour.
DHS said the Student and Exchange Visitor Program had identified cases involving schools, designated school officials, employers and F-1 students allegedly exploiting existing regulations. The department cited problematic worksites and what it described as “pay-to-stay” visa schemes among the practices it was seeking to address.
According to DHS, the proposed fees could also encourage schools to conduct greater oversight and exercise more selectivity before recommending students for OPT.
OPT Remains Important for Foreign Graduates
Under existing regulations, eligible F-1 students can seek OPT either before completing their academic programme or after graduation, provided the employment is directly related to their major field of study.
Students are generally eligible for up to 12 months of OPT at each educational level. The programme is particularly significant for international graduates seeking professional experience in the US, as it provides an opportunity to enter the workforce after completing their studies.
STEM graduates can be eligible for an additional 24-month STEM OPT extension if they meet the applicable requirements. This can allow qualifying graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines to remain eligible for employment authorisation for a considerably longer period.
To participate in OPT, students must first obtain a recommendation from a designated school official. They must then separately apply to USCIS for employment authorisation.
The proposed fees would therefore add a substantial financial requirement to a process already involving academic institutions, immigration documentation and USCIS applications.
Part of Broader Immigration Tightening
The proposal comes as the US administration pursues broader changes to employment-based immigration programmes. Officials have argued that stronger oversight and enforcement are necessary to prevent fraud, protect the integrity of immigration programmes and safeguard employment opportunities for US workers.
The proposed OPT charges could have significant implications for international students and educational institutions if they are ultimately adopted. However, DHS has stressed that the proposal remains subject to public consultation.
After the November 9 deadline, the department will review properly submitted comments and supporting materials. DHS may make changes to the proposal based on the feedback before deciding whether to issue a final rule.
Until such a rule is finalised and takes effect, the proposed $70,000 initial OPT fee and $30,000 subsequent participation fee will not apply.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
