The Trump administration has proposed an important change in relation to international students in the USA in the form of a proposed rule that may influence post-study employment in the country. The notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Federal Register on October 8, 2026, states that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to introduce a fee of $70,000 on the initial recommendation by institutions certified under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) relating to the F-1 students for optional practical training (OPT) and a fee of $30,000 for each subsequent recommendation that includes any possible STEM OPT extension.
However, this is only a proposal now and no such OPT fee has been imposed. Should it be officially adopted, the fees will only be applicable to recommendations made after the effective date of the rule. The proposal’s timing seems particularly interesting considering other changes introduced in the field of US immigration policy and education. If you are tracking, latest US visa appointment updates will recognise how policy uncertainty can affect study and career planning.
What Is the Proposed OPT Fee?
The draft regulation will state that the educational institutions that are SEVP certified shall pay their fees prior to the designated school official being eligible to make a recommendation in the SEVIS system on behalf of the student’s OPT application. Unless the fees are paid, there would be no employment authorization from the USCIS.
As reported in the Federal Register notice regarding the proposed OPT rates, the proposal has the following framework:
| OPT category | Proposed fee | Who would pay? | Important details |
| Initial OPT participation | $70,000 | Covered educational institution (SEVP-certified school), as specified in the proposal | Applies the first time a student receives any OPT recommendation (pre-completion or post-completion) after the rule’s effective date. Payment must precede the DSO recommendation. |
| Subsequent OPT participation | $30,000 | Covered educational institution, as specified in the proposal | Applies to later recommendations for a student who has already participated in OPT and for whom the initial fee was paid, including STEM OPT extensions. |
According to the DHS, the aim of charging such fees is to eliminate any form of abuse as well as increase the integrity of the immigration system. Also, it has been mentioned that the money collected would be forwarded to the U.S. Treasury instead of being used for fraud prevention. There are concerns by the administration about the fact that OPT goes beyond its educational mandate.
In such a case, the school may attempt to recover the cost from the student or the employer, though the proposed rule itself places the responsibility on the school. In addition, the proposed rule is only prospective; a student undertaking OPT, receiving approval or recommendation from a DSO before the rule takes effect would not be required to pay the fee for that time but may later incur the fee.
Understanding Optional Practical Training for International Students
Optional Practical Training provides qualified F-1 visa holders with the opportunity to gain employment relevant to their field of study on a temporary basis. As per the information provided by USCIS on Optional Practical Training, individuals can obtain pre-completion OPT after completing one full year of studies or post-completion OPT upon completion of their program. Post-completion OPT can be obtained for a period of up to 12 months. Graduates who qualify in STEM fields can seek 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT period if employed by an E-Verify employer.
The pre-completion period will be subtracted from the post-completion period. OPT is not automatic; the DSO will have to make a recommendation in favor of the student, and the individual must fill form I-765 and obtain Employment Authorization Document before commencement of employment.
| Feature | Standard post-completion OPT | STEM OPT extension |
| Eligible students | F-1 students who have completed a full course of study at an SEVP-certified school and meet general requirements | Students with a qualifying STEM degree on the designated list who received initial post-completion OPT based on that degree and are employed by an E-Verify employer |
| Duration | Up to 12 months | Additional 24 months for eligible students |
| Employment relevance | Work must be directly related to the student’s major field of study | Qualifying employment subject to STEM OPT reporting and supervision requirements |
| Proposed fee treatment | Subject to the proposed $70,000 initial fee for a first recommendation after the effective date | Subject to the proposed $30,000 subsequent fee once the initial fee has been paid and the student has previously participated in OPT |
OPT continues to remain one of the most common ways to gain US employment experience while studying abroad.
Who Could Be Affected by the $70,000 OPT Fee?
For prospective and current F-1 students who are getting near to the time of graduation but who have not yet gotten the recommendation from DSO, it means that they will be affected by the new framework in case the regulation is implemented. For the STEM graduates who need the 24-months extension, the following fee will apply to them. It will be the obligation of the universities as well as other SEVP-accredited institutions to make the payments.
The students who are currently on OPT or whose recommendations have been made before the implementation date will be safe for the period of that time according to the language of the transition process mentioned in the proposal.
How Could the STEM OPT Fee Affect International Graduates?
The growing trend of imposing a STEM OPT fee of $30,000 may have significant repercussions for STEM graduates in making decisions about whether or not to stay in the United States for the whole of the three-year period of employment training. Consequences include limitations regarding post-degree experience, delays in recruitment and job-search processes, and disappearance of new employment support services that colleges might offer.
DHS pursues its interests with the approval of the proposal, believing it will decrease the competition of American laborers and limit the impact of OPT as a means of permanent employment. On the other hand, the colleges and organizations engaged in higher education oppose these plans, claiming that the high prices will reduce the number of talented international workers, have a negative influence on income from the overseas students, and kill the competitiveness of the US in the sphere of technology. Hence, the implementation of the proposal has been postponed.
What Could the OPT Fee Mean for US Universities and Employers?
Every fresh guideline would have some expense implications on the institution. Research suggests that institutions may try to decrease the number of participants or restrict the flow of international students while putting some financial pressure both on students and employers.
International students pay higher fees and generate revenue for the institution. Changes in the number of international students could make an economical case for the program less convincing. In light of this situation, workforce planning in the sectors such as IT, research, healthcare, and other fields hiring foreign grads needs to be reconsidered. There is no doubt about the role played by international talents in product innovation in the US. However, the current proposal aims at saving jobs for native workers. Depending on the way the proposal is formulated, universities will face variable financial consequences.
How Could the Proposal Affect Students Planning to Study in the USA?
Uncertainty about post-graduation job prospects can also shape potential international students’ choice of US universities. The cost of attendance already includes tuition fees, health care, and the cost of living. Housing is a major component of the cost of attendance; potential students considering student housing USA need to know real prices and proximity to the university. University Living gives international students a chance to compare housing and budget accordingly while following immigration and employment policies.
Future career prospects will be one of the main factors of the decision. Students need to keep checking OPT policy and policies regarding international students at universities.
What Happens Next? Latest Updates on the OPT Fee Proposal
Public comments will be received until 9 November 2026. The DHS will have to consider the comments submitted before deciding if a final rule will be promulgated and in what form. The proposed effective date differs from the effective date as DHS has an opportunity to revise it.
Students should follow the updates on the Federal Register, DHS website, USCIS website, and the international office of their universities. Policy changes like the new US visa rules and the September 2026 US Visa Bulletin contribute additional data to the discussion. OPT is the temporary practical training for F-1 students. It is not related to the visa preference categories from the US Visa Bulletin.
What Should International Students Do Now?
The DHS, ICE, and USCIS departments have updates that you must be aware of and receive updates about. Talk to the international office of your institution about your OPT status. Think about the overall cost of your education including tuition, accommodation, and insurance. The decision should not be only based on social media posts, and you should consult immigration lawyers for advice.
Conclusion
The concept of the OPT fees has been proposed publicly, and the initial payment is $70,000 for the first application, while the next payments could cost around $30,000, for example, for STEM OPT application. The introduction of these fees can alter employment opportunities offered to students after the graduation, the operation of universities and the employment process of various companies and organizations. The final judgement on the issue has not yet been made and so the earlier scheme is still applicable. All students are recommended to pay attention to the news published by the state institutions while developing their plans for education and career.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the suggested OPT fee in the United States?
SEVP-approved institutions would be required to pay $70,000 for the first OPT recommendation and $30,000 for each additional recommendation, including STEM OPT. It is a proposed fee that will be charged if the rule comes into effect and is not currently applicable.
Should international students pay the $70,000 OPT fee themselves?
Under the proposed rule, educational organisations would be responsible for paying the fee. They can choose whether to recover the cost from students or their employers, but the rule will not require them to pay the government directly.
How will the STEM OPT fee impact the international graduates?
If the proposed rule becomes final, then eligible STEM graduates who want to extend OPT by 24 months could be required to pay $30,000 for the additional recommendation.
Does the proposed OPT fee apply to individuals already on OPT?
No, it is proposed that the transitional rules exclude persons already in approved OPT, from the fee for the time during which they already received approvals or a DSO recommendation prior to the regulations taking effect. Proposals made after that will be subject to the new conditions.
When could the proposed OPT fee come into effect?
If a final regulation is approved, it is proposed to take effect 60 days after publication. The public comment period would end on November 9, 2026, and no effective date could be determined until the final regulation is published.
