US Mulls $100,000 Foreign Graduate Work Fee
The Trump administration is reportedly considering a $100,000 fee for international students seeking permission to work in the United States after graduating from American universities. The proposal has not been finalised or officially implemented.
US Considers $100,000 OPT Fee
The reported charge would affect foreign graduates using Optional Practical Training, a programme that allows F-1 visa students to work temporarily in jobs connected to their field of study.
Standard OPT authorisation generally permits employment for up to 12 months. Graduates in qualifying science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields can seek a further 24-month extension.
It remains unclear whether the proposed $100,000 fee would be paid by students, employers or universities. The US Department of Homeland Security is reportedly reviewing the idea as part of broader changes to post-graduation work rules.
International Students Could Face Higher Costs
The proposal could significantly increase the financial burden on foreign students who already pay tuition fees and living expenses while studying in the United States.
American universities rely heavily on international enrolments, while technology, finance, engineering and research companies frequently recruit graduates through OPT.
No draft regulation or implementation timeline has been publicly released. Any change would likely require a formal rulemaking process and could face legal challenges.
Proposal Separate From H-1B Visa Fee
The possible OPT charge is separate from the Trump administration’s earlier $100,000 fee on certain new H-1B visa petitions.
That H-1B charge primarily targeted employers sponsoring workers from outside the United States. Students already in the country changing from F-1 to H-1B status were generally exempt.
A federal court subsequently blocked the H-1B fee after finding that the administration had exceeded its authority. An appeals court later declined to restore the charge while litigation continued.
The reported OPT proposal remains under consideration. International students and employers are not currently required to pay the proposed $100,000 post-graduation work fee.
