The Trump administration is reportedly considering requiring international students to pay as much as $100,000 to participate in Optional Practical Training, commonly known as OPT. OPT currently permits eligible F-1 students to work in positions related to their field of study, generally for up to 12 months, while qualifying graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics may receive an additional 24-month STEM extension. The proposal remains under internal discussion: no final regulation, presidential action, or official implementation guidance has been issued, and international students are not currently required to pay a $100,000 OPT fee. Important details—including who would pay the fee, whether exemptions would exist, and whether it would apply to initial OPT, STEM extensions, or both—remain unknown.
A fee of this size could effectively prevent many international graduates from obtaining post-graduation work experience, despite having already invested substantial amounts in tuition and living expenses at American universities. Universities could become less competitive against schools in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries offering more accessible post-study employment opportunities. American employers in technology, healthcare, finance, engineering, scientific research, and other industries could also lose access to graduates trained at U.S. institutions. Supporters of stricter OPT rules argue that the program should be limited to protect American workers, while universities and employers warn that extreme fees could drive talented graduates, research, investment, and innovation away from the United States.
International students should understand that this is only a reported proposal and should not panic, cancel their education, abandon OPT applications, or pay anyone claiming to collect the new fee. Students should continue following the existing OPT rules, including obtaining the required recommendation from their designated school official, filing Form I-765 on time, working only in authorized employment related to their degree, and complying with unemployment limits and STEM OPT reporting requirements. Any attempt to impose a $100,000 charge could also face legal challenges concerning the administration’s authority to create such a large fee without congressional approval. Shepelsky Law Group Immigration Attorneys assist international students with F-1 status, OPT, STEM OPT, reinstatement, changes of status, employment visas, and permanent immigration options.
Call 718-769-6352 or schedule a consultation at www.shepelskylaw.com.