International Students Could Feel Impact As Universities Face Proposed $70,000 OPT Fee
DHS rule would charge universities, not students, for OPT recommendations.
The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed a new fee structure for Optional Practical Training (OPT) recommendations that could require educational institutions to pay $70,000 for an initial recommendation for an F-1 international student and $30,000 for subsequent recommendations, including STEM OPT extensions. The proposal could affect universities supporting international students as they move from academic study into temporary employment in the United States.
Under the proposed structure, the $70,000 charge would apply to a school's first OPT recommendation for an eligible F-1 student. A subsequent OPT recommendation would carry a proposed fee of $30,000, with the latter also covering recommendations connected to STEM OPT extensions. The figures are part of a broader Department of Homeland Security rulemaking initiative concerning fees associated with the OPT programme.
The proposed charges would technically be imposed on Student and Exchange Visitor Program-certified educational institutions rather than directly on international students. However, universities could potentially consider the additional costs when determining fees or other charges connected with supporting students through the OPT process. The effect on students could therefore vary depending on how individual institutions respond to the proposed changes.
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OPT is an important pathway for eligible international students studying in the US on F-1 visas. The programme allows qualifying graduates to obtain temporary practical work experience in positions related to their academic field. Students who meet the requirements for the STEM OPT extension can seek an additional 24 months of employment authorisation, giving eligible graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields more time to gain professional experience.
The proposed $70,000 and $30,000 amounts are not currently effective OPT fees charged directly to students. The proposal remains subject to the US federal rulemaking process, which includes a period for public comments and further consideration by the Department of Homeland Security. Until the process is completed and any final rule takes effect, the proposed fee structure does not represent a new payment that international students must make for OPT.
The proposal comes as international students and US universities continue to monitor changes affecting immigration and employment pathways for F-1 students. The eventual consequences will depend on the final rule and how educational institutions respond to any new financial obligations. Universities, current students and prospective international applicants are therefore expected to closely follow further DHS action before determining how the proposed OPT fees could affect the cost and administration of the programme.
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