Key Highlights

• The US is reportedly considering a $100,000 fee for international graduates using the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme.
• The proposal has not been officially announced and remains under consideration.
• OPT allows eligible F-1 visa holders to work in the US after completing their studies.
• The reported proposal follows a court decision blocking an earlier plan for a similar H-1B visa fee.
• If implemented, the measure could significantly affect the attractiveness of US higher education for international students.

US Weighing Major Fee Increase for OPT Programme

The United States Department of Homeland Security is reportedly considering imposing a $100,000 fee on international graduates seeking to work in the United States through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

The proposal has not been formally announced, and US officials say no policy should be considered final until officially released.

If adopted, it would represent one of the most significant financial changes to the post-study work pathway available to international students in the United States.

What Is the OPT Programme?

The Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme allows eligible international students studying on F-1 student visa status to work in the United States after graduation in jobs directly related to their field of study.

Depending on the academic discipline, graduates can generally work for:

• Up to 12 months under standard OPT.
• Up to 36 months for eligible STEM graduates through the STEM OPT extension.

The programme is widely regarded as one of the biggest incentives for international students choosing to pursue higher education in the United States.

According to the report, around 419,000 international graduates were participating in the OPT programme in 2024.

Proposal Follows H-1B Fee Dispute

The reported proposal comes after a US court struck down an earlier attempt by the Trump administration to introduce a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications.

According to the report, officials are now exploring whether a similar fee could instead be applied to the OPT programme, which functions as a post-study employment route linked to F-1 student visas.

No final decision has been announced.

DHS Says Discussions Are Ongoing

Responding to reports, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said that policy discussions remain ongoing.

According to the department, no immigration proposal should be considered final until it is formally announced, adding that officials continue to examine ways to strengthen the integrity of the legal immigration system.

The statement did not confirm whether the proposed fee will ultimately be implemented.

Green Card Bond Also Under Consideration

The report also said that officials at the United States Department of State are considering a separate proposal that would require certain green card applicants outside the United States to post a $100,000 bond.

According to the report, the bond would become refundable after applicants successfully relocate to the United States and eventually obtain US citizenship.

Like the reported OPT fee proposal, no official policy announcement has been made regarding this measure.

Potential Impact on International Students

Education experts have long viewed the ability to gain work experience through OPT as one of the primary reasons international students choose American universities.

If a fee of this scale were introduced, it could:

• Increase the financial burden on international graduates.
• Reduce the attractiveness of US universities compared with competing destinations.
• Influence students to consider countries offering more affordable post-study work opportunities.
• Affect employers that recruit international graduates from US institutions.

The proposal, however, remains under discussion and has not been adopted.

Why This Matters

The United States hosts one of the world's largest international student populations, and the OPT programme has become a critical bridge between education and employment for foreign graduates. Any significant increase in costs could reshape global student mobility, influence university enrolments and affect employers that rely on international talent. As of now, the reported proposal remains under consideration and has not become official policy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the OPT programme?

Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows eligible F-1 international students to work in the United States after graduation in jobs related to their field of study.

Has the US approved a $100,000 OPT fee?

No. According to reports, the proposal is under consideration but has not been officially announced or approved.

Who would be affected?

If implemented, the reported proposal would affect international graduates seeking post-study work authorization through the OPT programme.

Why is OPT important?

OPT enables international graduates to gain US work experience and is considered one of the biggest attractions of studying at American universities.

Is the US considering other immigration-related financial measures?

According to reports, officials are also evaluating a proposal for a $100,000 bond for certain green card applicants, though no formal decision has been announced.