The Trump administration is weighing a proposal to impose a $100,000 fee for international students who wish to work in the United States after graduation from American universities, which could significantly change the nation's appeal as an international education hub.
The proposal is being discussed at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and would impact the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which would give students up to three years of work experience in the United States after graduation.
The proposal is not final yet, and officials have yet to determine whether the fee would be paid by the students, employers, or universities. A DHS spokesperson emphasized that the talks are still in early stages.
"No policies should be considered final until formally announced. At DHS, we are always having conversations about how to use all tools in our arsenal to protect the integrity of our legal immigration system," the spokesperson said.
According to the latest available government data, approximately 419,000 international graduates were working under the OPT program in 2024. The program allows foreign students who are in the country on F-1 visas to be able to work in jobs directly related to their academic fields, and students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields can get three-year work authorization after completing their programs.
The proposed fee would coincide with a new policy announced by the US government that requires international students to file for a visa extension to work during the OPT period instead of the previous practice where student visas remained valid throughout both academic study and authorized work periods.
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The proposal is similar to a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas that was recently blocked by a federal appeals court, after the administration tried to impose it. Officials also are reportedly considering imposing a $100,000 bond that would be refunded when people become US citizens, for those who are applying for a green card from outside the country.
The OPT fee, if enacted, would have an impact on such industries as technology, financial services, and other sectors that heavily depend on recruiting foreign students from American universities before transitioning them to H-1B visas.
OPT advocates say that it offers useful professional experiences and strengthens the talent pool. However, critics say the program provides employers with too much freedom to recruit foreign graduates without adequate measures to keep wages in check in comparison to the wages paid to US workers.