Washington, October 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a $70,000 fee for international students seeking initial participation in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, a move that could significantly raise the cost of obtaining post-study work experience in the United States.
Under the proposed rule, a subsequent participation in OPT would attract a fee of $30,000, DHS said on Wednesday.
The proposed fees are not currently in effect. DHS will invite public comments from October 8 to November 9 before reviewing the submissions and deciding whether to issue a final rule.
OPT allows eligible international students in F-1 status to obtain temporary employment authorisation for jobs directly related to their field of study. The programme is widely used by foreign graduates of US colleges and universities, particularly those pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Under the proposal, the fees would be paid by SEVP-certified educational institutions before their designated school officials recommend students for OPT through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
US Citizenship and Immigration Services would not approve employment authorisation if the required fee had not been paid by the institution, according to DHS.
The proposed fee would not be tied to a particular employer. Instead, it would apply whenever a school recommends an F-1 student for any form of OPT, with the money collected deposited into the US Treasury.
DHS said the proposed changes are aimed at combating fraud and abuse, strengthening the integrity of the immigration system and protecting US 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 said the proposed changes would require foreign students to demonstrate their value to employers, arguing that American workers should not have to compete with what the department described as a pipeline for cheap foreign labour.
DHS also alleged that the Student and Exchange Visitor Program had identified schools, designated school officials, employers and F-1 students involved in schemes exploiting existing regulations, including problematic worksites and “pay-to-stay” visa arrangements.
The department said the proposed fees could encourage educational institutions to apply greater oversight before recommending students for OPT.
Under current rules, 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 can receive up to 12 months of OPT at each educational level.
Graduates with qualifying STEM degrees can also be eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, allowing eligible students to remain in the programme for up to 36 months and making OPT particularly important for international graduates seeking professional experience in the US technology and other high-skilled sectors.
Students must receive a recommendation from a designated school official and separately apply to USCIS for employment authorisation.
The proposal comes amid a broader effort by the US administration to tighten employment-based immigration programmes, with officials citing fraud prevention and protection of domestic workers as key objectives.
After the public-comment period closes, DHS said it will review properly submitted comments and supporting materials and may revise the proposal before issuing any final rule.
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