$70K For Work Authorisation? Trump Admin Proposes Hefty Fee For F-1 International Students

Last Updated:October 08, 2026, 02:22 IST

DHS said the fees are intended “to combat fraud, strengthen the integrity of the immigration system, and protect US workers”.

Student graduates cheer during the 175th Commencement ceremony at Harvard University in Cambridge. (AFP file photo)

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a steep new fee of at least $70,000 for international students seeking work training in the country, in the latest move by the Trump administration to tighten rules for foreign visa holders.

Under the proposal, students on F-1 visas would have to pay $70,000 to a certified institution for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows foreign students to gain work experience related to their studies. An additional work training programme would attract a proposed $30,000 fee, Reuters reported.

DHS said the fees are intended “to combat fraud, strengthen the integrity of the immigration system, and protect US workers”.

From $500 To $70,000

The proposed fee would mark a major increase from the roughly $500 that students currently pay to enrol in OPT.

The programme allows eligible F-1 students to work for up to 20 hours a week while studying and for a limited period after graduation. Students with degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics can qualify for an extended period of training.

“DHS is now setting a fee to ensure employers, students, and institutions are engaging in appropriate activities consistent with admission as an F-1 nonimmigrant,” the agency said.

OPT is also often an important step for foreign graduates seeking H-1B visas, which are widely used by US technology and other skilled industries to hire international workers.

Proposal Faces Possible Legal Challenges

The proposed changes come as the Trump administration pursues tighter immigration policies and higher costs for several categories of foreign workers.

The proposal has already drawn criticism from immigration and technology advocates. Doug Rand, director of the Talent Mobility Fund, said the measure could face legal challenges.

“This proposed rule isn’t going to fare well in the courts,” Rand wrote on LinkedIn, referring to previous immigration restrictions.

The proposal will now undergo a 30-day public comment period before it can be finalised. If approved, DHS said it would wait 60 days before implementing the new rules to give universities, students and employers time to prepare.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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What is the proposed fee for international students participating in OPT in the US?

The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed a steep fee of at least $70,000 for international students on F-1 visas seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT). An additional work training programme would carry a proposed $30,000 fee, marking a major increase from the current fee of roughly $500.

What reasons did the Department of Homeland Security give for the proposed OPT fees?

According to the Department of Homeland Security, the proposed fees are intended to combat fraud, strengthen the integrity of the immigration system, protect US workers, and ensure that employers, students, and institutions engage in appropriate activities consistent with F-1 nonimmigrant admission.

What are the next steps in the approval process for the proposed F-1 work training fees?

The proposal will undergo a 30-day public comment period before it can be finalized. If approved, the Department of Homeland Security plans to wait 60 days before implementing the new rules to give universities, students, and employers time to prepare.

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