Why Trump wants a $70,000 fee for international students working in the US: According to reports

International students hoping to build careers in the United States could face a major financial obstacle. The Trump administration has proposed a $70,000 fee connected to their employment authorization. The plan would significantly change how American universities support students seeking professional experience. The proposal targets Optional Practical Training, a program that allows eligible foreign students to work in fields related to their education. Federal officials say the changes would address fraud and protect American workers. Universities and immigration specialists are questioning the financial consequences. The proposal targets international student work opportunities

The Department of Homeland Security published its proposed rule on October 8, 2026, outlining new fees for institutions participating in Optional Practical Training. Under the plan, schools would pay $70,000 for a student’s first OPT recommendation covered by the new fee, whether the training occurs before or after graduation. After that initial $70,000 fee has been paid, a subsequent OPT recommendation for the same student would generally trigger an additional $30,000 fee. That means combined charges could reach $100,000 for a student who receives an initial OPT recommendation followed by another qualifying recommendation, such as a STEM OPT extension. Source: Depositphotos

The proposal remains under review and has not become a final federal requirement. Public comments are due November 9, and current OPT rules and fees remain in effect unless DHS completes the rulemaking process and issues a final rule. Federal officials say higher fees would discourage abuse

The administration argues that the current OPT system needs stronger safeguards against fraud and improper employment arrangements. DHS says the proposed fees would encourage universities to examine student documentation more carefully before recommending individuals for work authorization, while supporting broader efforts to protect employment opportunities for American workers. Federal officials have expressed concern that some employers could use international student employment programs to obtain labor at lower costs. The administration presents the fee as a way to discourage questionable arrangements, although allegations involving particular employers or institutions should not be treated as evidence of widespread misconduct without supporting records. The proposed rule also identifies the administrative burden associated with investigating potential violations and monitoring participating institutions. Critics question whether charging universities substantially more would effectively address those concerns, particularly because the financial consequences could affect students whose employment arrangements fully comply with federal requirements. Universities would carry the initial financial responsibility

One important distinction is that the proposed regulation places the payment obligation on participating educational institutions rather than directly establishing a $70,000 student application fee. Schools certified under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program would have to pay before their designated officials could recommend eligible students for OPT. This arrangement could create difficult budgeting decisions for universities that enroll large numbers of international students. Institutions might need to reconsider how many recommendations they can support, whether additional funding is available, and how employment assistance programs would operate under the proposed structure.

The regulation does not establish that every university would transfer the entire expense to students. However, education and immigration specialists have raised concerns about potential indirect costs, reduced access to employment recommendations, and changes in institutional policies that could affect students planning their careers. OPT provides a bridge between education and employment

Optional Practical Training allows eligible F-1 students to gain temporary practical experience directly related to their academic major. Students may participate before completing their degrees or after graduation, provided they meet immigration requirements and obtain the necessary authorization for their particular employment arrangements. Standard post-completion OPT generally permits up to 12 months of employment authorization. Graduates with qualifying degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics may apply for a 24-month extension, giving eligible students additional time to develop professional experience in their fields. The program also helps some graduates establish professional relationships with employers that may later consider sponsoring other immigration classifications. OPT itself does not guarantee an H-1B visa, permanent residence, or continued employment, and students must satisfy separate requirements for any subsequent immigration status. Fun fact: Certain H-1B employers are exempt from the annual visa cap, including qualifying universities and nonprofit research organizations. International students could reconsider their education plans

The possibility of substantially higher employment costs could influence how prospective international students evaluate American colleges and universities. For many applicants, access to practical training after graduation is an important consideration alongside tuition, academic programs, scholarships, and future career opportunities. Source: Depositphotos

Education organizations have warned that restrictions on postgraduation employment opportunities could make American institutions less attractive to students considering other countries. Those concerns reflect potential future consequences rather than confirmed enrollment losses directly attributable to the proposed fee, which has not yet taken effect. Students already enrolled in the United States face a different challenge because their educational and financial decisions may have been based on existing employment rules. Changing those expectations could affect internship planning, graduation timelines, and discussions with university advisers about available professional training options. Technology employers could face changes in hiring

American technology companies regularly recruit graduates with specialized training in engineering, computer science, and other technical disciplines. OPT provides one route through which eligible international graduates can gain experience with these employers before potentially pursuing longer-term employment authorization. Higher institutional costs could reduce the number of graduates entering the program if universities limit recommendations or reconsider participation. Employers might consequently encounter a smaller pool of eligible international applicants, although the size of any workforce impact would depend on the final rule and how institutions respond. The proposal could also affect organizations outside the technology industry, including businesses that recruit graduates with specialized analytical, scientific, or financial skills. Employers would need to review their recruitment practices and coordinate with educational institutions if the proposed requirements eventually become binding. Little-known fact: F-1 students can generally work on campus for up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session.

Universities would carry the initial financial responsibility

One important distinction is that the proposed regulation places the payment obligation on participating educational institutions rather than directly establishing a $70,000 student application fee.

The plan follows broader changes to skilled immigration

The OPT proposal is part of the administration’s wider effort to change employment-based immigration rules and increase scrutiny of programs involving foreign workers. In September 2026, Trump announced a separate $100,000 payment requirement affecting certain H-1B petitions involving workers outside the United States, subject to specified exceptions. Although the 2 policies concern international employment, they operate through different immigration processes and impose different requirements. OPT involves practical training connected to F-1 student status, while H-1B classification allows qualifying employers to petition for workers in specialty occupations. The administration has also increased scrutiny of employment-related immigration programs and university compliance with federal requirements. Together, these actions reflect a policy approach emphasizing enforcement, employer accountability, and additional restrictions, while raising questions about their consequences for universities and businesses. Source: Shutterstock

Public comments and legal questions shape next steps

The proposed OPT fee remains subject to the federal rulemaking process, which allows members of the public and affected organizations to submit comments. Universities, employers, students, and professional associations can raise concerns about financial burdens, implementation procedures, and the administration’s stated reasons for introducing the charges. DHS must consider significant relevant comments before issuing a final rule, and the completed regulation could differ from the original proposal. The agency has proposed a transition period under which the new requirements would take effect 60 days after publication of a final rule, rather than immediately. Legal challenges could also arise if affected parties dispute the agency’s authority or the reasoning supporting the unusually high charges. Until the process concludes, students should distinguish the proposed amounts from existing application fees and rely on current official requirements when preparing employment authorization applications. TL;DR

The Trump administration has proposed a $70,000 fee for universities making an international student’s first OPT recommendation. Schools would face an additional $30,000 charge for subsequent OPT recommendations under the proposal. DHS says the policy would discourage fraud, strengthen immigration oversight, and protect American workers. Universities and immigration specialists have raised concerns about financial burdens, international enrollment, and graduate employment opportunities. The proposal is not final, and public comments remain open until Nov. 9, 2026. This article was made with AI assistance and human editing. If you liked this, you might also like:

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