U.S. Proposes Up to $100,000 in New OPT Fees, Raising Student Concerns

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a major increase in fees connected to Optional Practical Training (OPT), a work authorization program used by thousands of international students after completing their studies in the country. Under the proposal, universities and other approved educational institutions could be required to pay $70,000 for a student’s initial OPT recommendation and another $30,000 for each subsequent OPT recommendation.

The proposal, announced on October 7, 2026, has raised concerns among international students, universities, immigration professionals and employers. Many foreign students depend on OPT to gain professional experience in the United States after graduation, while some use the program as an opportunity to secure long-term employment and pursue other immigration options.

According to the proposed regulation published in the Federal Register on October 8, the initial $70,000 fee would apply when an eligible F-1 student receives an OPT recommendation from a Student and Exchange Visitor Program-certified educational institution for the first time. A subsequent OPT recommendation would carry a proposed fee of $30,000.

The proposal would cover both pre-completion and post-completion OPT. It would also include subsequent OPT participation, such as the 24-month extension available to eligible graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

One important detail is that the proposed fees would initially be the responsibility of the educational institution, not a direct payment requirement imposed on the student. However, the proposal does not guarantee that students will be protected from the financial consequences.

DHS acknowledges in the official proposal that educational institutions could transfer some or all of the financial burden to F-1 students, other students or employers. This means that universities could potentially increase administrative charges, introduce additional fees or seek financial contributions from employers to cover the new expenses.

The proposal is particularly significant because the potential cost could reach $100,000 for a student who receives an initial OPT recommendation and later receives another recommendation for a STEM OPT extension. The amount would depend on the student’s OPT history and the applicable recommendations under the proposed system.

The fee would not be connected to a particular employer or a change of workplace. Instead, it would be triggered by the educational institution’s decision to recommend a student for OPT through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, commonly known as SEVIS.

Under the proposed process, the school would have to pay the applicable fee before its designated school official could enter the OPT recommendation into SEVIS. The student would then proceed with the employment authorization application through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

DHS says the proposed fees are intended to address fraud and misuse within the OPT program, strengthen immigration system oversight and protect American workers. The department has raised concerns about fraudulent employment arrangements, questionable workplaces and situations in which OPT may be used primarily to maintain immigration status rather than provide genuine practical training related to a student’s academic program.

However, the financial impact of the proposal has become a major point of concern for the higher education community.

OPT is an important part of the international student experience in the United States. Under existing rules, eligible F-1 students can generally receive up to 12 months of practical training related to their major field of study at each qualifying educational level. Graduates with eligible STEM degrees may apply for an additional 24 months of employment authorization if they meet the applicable requirements.

For many international graduates, this period provides an opportunity to gain experience with American companies, develop professional skills and build relationships with potential employers.

A substantial increase in institutional costs could change how universities approach international student employment recommendations. Some institutions may decide that paying tens of thousands of dollars for each student is financially difficult, particularly smaller colleges and universities with limited budgets.

If schools reduce their participation in OPT recommendations, international graduates could face fewer opportunities to obtain work authorization through the program. Employers could also experience difficulties recruiting international graduates in industries that depend on specialized skills.

The proposed STEM extension fee is another important concern. Many international graduates in technology, engineering, science and related fields depend on the additional 24 months of work authorization to continue their professional careers in the United States.

A $30,000 institutional fee for a subsequent recommendation could make some schools more cautious about supporting these extensions. The potential consequences could extend to technology companies, research institutions, healthcare organizations and other employers that recruit graduates with specialized qualifications.

The proposal also raises questions about the financial relationship between universities and international students. Although DHS identifies schools as the parties responsible for making the payments, the department explicitly recognizes that institutions may pass the costs to students or employers.

As a result, students should not assume that the proposed fee will necessarily be absorbed entirely by their universities.

There is also an important distinction between the proposed OPT fee and the existing government application fee. International students already pay applicable USCIS fees when filing for employment authorization. The proposed $70,000 and $30,000 charges would be additional institutional fees, not a replacement for the ordinary employment authorization application fee. Therefore, comparing the proposed amounts directly with the existing application fee of approximately $500 does not tell the complete story.

The federal government has opened a public comment period to allow universities, students, employers, immigration attorneys and other interested parties to express their views on the proposal.

According to the Federal Register notice, comments on the proposed regulation must be submitted by November 9, 2026. The official docket number is ICEB-2026-0100, and comments can be submitted through the federal government’s Regulations.gov website.

The government is inviting comments on the proposed fee structure, its financial impact, implementation requirements and possible alternatives. The public can also provide information about how the proposed charges could affect educational institutions and international student employment opportunities.

DHS has additionally established a separate deadline of December 7, 2026, for comments concerning the information collection requirements described in the proposal. This is a separate comment period and should not be confused with the November 9 deadline for comments on the main proposed regulation.

Importantly, the proposal has not yet become a final regulation. DHS must review public comments and may revise the proposal before issuing a final rule. If finalized, the department has proposed that the new requirements take effect 60 days after publication of the final regulation in the Federal Register.

For now, existing OPT and STEM OPT procedures remain in place. Students can continue applying under the current requirements, and the proposed $70,000 and $30,000 fees are not currently in effect.

The proposal also includes a transition provision intended to protect certain students who have already received OPT approval or whose schools have made the required recommendations before the final rule’s effective date. However, students planning future applications should carefully review the final regulation if it is eventually approved.

For Bangladeshi students studying in the United States, the development deserves particular attention. Many students from Bangladesh pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in American universities with the expectation of gaining professional experience after graduation. OPT is often an important part of their academic and career planning.

A major increase in institutional costs could affect university decisions, employment opportunities and the overall financial planning of international students. Students considering American higher education should therefore follow official immigration announcements and consult their university’s international student office before making decisions about OPT applications.

The central question now is whether DHS will retain the proposed fee structure after reviewing public feedback. Universities and international students have an opportunity to explain how such high charges could affect education, employment and the future of international talent in the United States.

Until a final rule is published and becomes effective, international students should continue following the existing OPT regulations rather than treating the proposed fees as an immediate requirement.