Trump eyes $100,000 fee for foreign student workers: Report.
The proposal follows a US court decision striking down the administration’s plan to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas.
Key points to consider
- Proposal under review: The Trump administration is considering a fee of around USD 100,000 for OPT work authorization.
- Legal backdrop: The proposal follows a court decision striking down a similar USD 100,000 fee on H-1B visas.
- Scale of OPT: Around 419,000 foreign nationals were working on OPT in 2024.
- Role of OPT: The program allows one to three years of employment related to a student’s field of study, with an additional 24-month STEM extension for eligible graduates.
- Stakeholder response: Technology companies are expected to oppose the proposal, while DHS maintains that no policy has been finalized.
- Broader context: Officials are also reportedly considering a USD 100,000 bond requirement for certain green-card applicants outside the United States.
- Potential impact: A high OPT fee could discourage international enrollment, shrink the early-career talent pipeline and redirect students to other countries offering more accessible post-study work opportunities.
Trump administration considers $100,000 OPT fee for international graduates
In a move that could reshape the landscape for international students in the United States, the Trump administration is reportedly considering a plan to impose a staggering fee of around USD 100,000 on Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorizations that allow foreign graduates to work in the US after completing their degrees.
The proposal, first reported by The Wall Street Journal and later echoed by Bloomberg, comes shortly after a US court struck down an earlier attempt to levy a similar USD 100,000 fee on H-1B visas, prompting officials to explore alternative ways to restrict access to the American labor market for non-citizens.
Why OPT matters
The OPT program is an extension of the F-1 student visa and one of the primary reasons many international students choose to study in the US. It allows eligible graduates to work for one to three years in fields directly related to their course of study, with the possibility of a further 24-month STEM extension for those in science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines.
In practical terms, OPT functions as a bridge between campus and career. Without it, most international students would be required to leave the US immediately after graduation, taking the skills and knowledge they gained at American universities to job markets abroad.
In 2024, roughly 419,000 foreign nationals were working on OPT, according to the latest available data, underscoring how central the program has become to both student mobility and employer hiring.
Technology companies have been especially reliant on OPT hires, often using the period to evaluate candidates before sponsoring them for longer-term work visas such as the H-1B. For many students from countries including India and China, OPT is considered a crucial part of the financial return on a US education.
The proposed fee and its context
According to reports, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering the high fee specifically for OPT work authorization, which is an employment benefit linked to the F-1 visa rather than a separate visa category.
A White House official also said there was no imminent policy change but did not deny that the proposal was under consideration.
The proposal comes after courts blocked a similar USD 100,000 H-1B fee. Reports suggest the administration is exploring whether an equivalent charge on OPT could raise revenue, discourage employment-based migration and reinforce a tougher immigration stance while avoiding the same legal obstacles.
Officials are also reportedly considering a USD 100,000 bond for certain green-card applicants outside the United States, redeemable only after they relocate to the country and become US citizens, indicating a broader effort to increase financial requirements across different immigration pathways.
Potential impact on students and universities
If implemented, a six-figure OPT fee could have significant consequences for international students. For many, especially those from middle-income families, such a cost would make post-graduation employment in the US financially impossible.
Universities with large international student populations could see enrollment decline as prospective students compare the US with countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, where post-study work opportunities remain more accessible.
Employers—particularly in technology and engineering—could also face challenges. A sharp decline in OPT participants would reduce the pool of early-career talent available for internships and entry-level positions, potentially affecting innovation and encouraging companies to expand hiring overseas.
Supporters of stricter immigration policies argue that higher costs could encourage employers to hire more American workers and prioritize the most qualified international candidates. Critics, however, contend that such a fee would exclude talented graduates based primarily on their financial means rather than merit.
What could happen next
For now, the proposal remains under discussion, with no formal regulation or fee schedule announced.
Any final policy would likely face legal challenges from universities, student organizations and industry groups, which could argue that such a measure exceeds statutory authority or unfairly changes the conditions under which students enrolled.
Even before any official announcement, reports of the proposal are influencing student decisions. Some may speed up graduation plans, explore alternative visa options or reconsider studying in the United States altogether while awaiting further clarity from the DHS and the White House.
For current and prospective international students, the proposal highlights growing uncertainty around post-study employment in the United States. While no policy has been finalized, any move to impose such a substantial fee could significantly alter the attractiveness of a US education for students worldwide.