US Student Visa Shock: Trump Admin Proposes $70,000 OPT Fee For International Students | News18
A major new proposal from the Trump administration could dramatically increase the cost of Optional Practical Training (OPT), a programme that allows international students on F-1 visas to gain work experience related to their field of study in the United States.
The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed a $70,000 fee for an initial OPT recommendation and $30,000 for subsequent OPT recommendations, including STEM OPT extensions. The proposed fees would be paid by SEVP-certified educational institutions rather than being charged directly to students. However, DHS says institutions could potentially recover those costs from students or employers.
The proposal is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to tighten rules around foreign students and employment-based immigration. DHS says the fees are intended to combat fraud and abuse, strengthen the immigration system and protect US workers.
Video Summary
AI GeneratedThe Trump administration's Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a massive fee increase for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, raising costs from $470 to $70,000 per student. This move aims to reduce fraud and protect American jobs, but it creates significant financial barriers for international students and skilled labor pipelines for U.S. tech companies.