US Proposes $70,000 OPT Fee for Foreign Students Amid Immigration Crackdown

A reported proposal to increase the application fee for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme for international students in the United States from around $500 to $70,000 has raised concerns among foreign students seeking work experience after graduation.

The proposed measure comes amid tighter immigration policies under US President Donald Trump’s administration. However, the legal status of the reported fee increase and its implementation date remain to be confirmed.

The OPT programme allows eligible international students studying in the US on F-1 visas to gain practical work experience related to their academic fields after completing their studies.

Under the existing framework, eligible students can generally receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorisation. Graduates in qualifying Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields may also apply for a 24-month extension.

According to reports on the proposed changes, the initial OPT application fee could rise to $70,000, while an additional fee of $30,000 could apply to eligible STEM graduates seeking the 24-month extension.

If implemented as described, the proposed increases could significantly raise the cost of obtaining work authorisation for international graduates and create additional financial challenges for those hoping to begin their careers in the United States.

The reported rationale for the measures includes preventing visa fraud, maintaining the integrity of the immigration system and protecting American workers. The proposal also reportedly seeks to strengthen compliance with immigration requirements among employers, students and educational institutions.

Indian students make up a significant share of the international student population in the United States. Any substantial increase in OPT-related fees could therefore affect Indian graduates, as well as students from Sri Lanka and other countries who plan to gain professional experience in the US after graduation.

Further clarification is needed regarding the proposal’s official status, the precise fees under consideration and whether the changes will be adopted.