US Considers $100,000 OPT Fee for International Students!

Article by Satya Published on: 9:35 pm, 21 August 2026

The US government is considering a major fee for international students who want to work in America after completing their studies.

The Department of Homeland Security has sent a proposed OPT fee rule to the White House for review. Reports say the government is considering a fee of up to $100,000 for Optional Practical Training.

The proposal is not final yet, and the actual rule has not been made public.

OPT allows international students on F1 visas to work in the US after graduation. STEM graduates can currently get work authorization for up to three years.

Around 300,000 international students used OPT work authorization last year. If a $100,000 fee is introduced, it could make the program extremely expensive for graduates and companies hiring them.

The proposal could also have a major impact on STEM OPT and the pathway many foreign graduates use to move toward H1B employment.

For now, the $100,000 figure is only being considered. The final fee and other details will become clear only after the government releases the proposed rule.