US govt proposes $70,000 fee for international student work programme
WASHINGTON: The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Wednesday proposed a new rule that would impose new fees for F-1 non-immigrant students seeking to participate in Optional Practical Training (OPT), a temporary employment authorisation connected to a student's field of study.
The proposed rule would establish a $70,000 fee per F-1 non-immigrant student for initial OPT and a $30,000 fee per F-1 non-immigrant student for any subsequent OPT, according to a statement on the department's website.
DHS is proposing the fees "to combat fraud and abuse, strengthen the integrity of the immigration system, and protect US workers," the statement said.
"Imposing this new fee structure on Optional Practical Training is the latest in a series of developments that creates deep uncertainty for international students," NAFSA, the Association of International Educators, said in a statement.
"Driving away the talents, perspectives and aspirations of international students will only hurt American innovation, economic growth, workforce development and global leadership," said Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of NAFSA.
Since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House, his administration has tightened immigration policies, cracking down on undocumented immigrants and increasing scrutiny of US visa holders.
In September 2025, Trump signed a proclamation raising the fee that companies pay to sponsor H-1B applicants to $100,000. However, two federal judges have blocked the fee, one in June and another in late September.
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant US work visa that lets American companies hire foreign workers for specialised jobs.
In August, the DHS proposed a $103,265 fee for H-1B cap-subject petitions, marking the agency's latest move to restrict the visa programme on new grounds.
By RSS/Xinhua
