Trump Administration Proposes Up to $70,000 Fee for International Students Seeking Work Training
WASHINGTON, October 8, 2026 — The Trump administration has proposed a major increase in fees for international students seeking work-based training in the United States, with eligible F-1 visa holders potentially required to pay $70,000 for participation in the country’s Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme.
The proposal, announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in a government notice, would require nonimmigrant students holding F-1 visas to pay $70,000 to a certified institution for on-the-job training under OPT, while an additional $30,000 fee would apply for further work-training programmes.
DHS said the proposed changes are intended to combat fraud, strengthen the integrity of the immigration system and protect U.S. workers, while ensuring that employers, educational institutions and international students participate in training arrangements consistent with the F-1 visa programme.
The OPT system currently allows eligible international students to gain practical work experience related to their studies, including limited employment during and after their academic programmes. Students in eligible science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields can qualify for an extended period of practical training.
Under the existing system, students pay a substantially lower administrative fee of around $500, making the proposed $70,000 charge a significant increase for international students and institutions involved in the programme.
OPT has long played an important role in the transition from higher education to employment for international graduates in the United States. For many students, particularly those pursuing STEM qualifications, the programme provides a pathway to gain professional experience and potentially move into longer-term employment under the H-1B visa programme.
The H-1B system has historically been an important source of skilled workers for U.S. industries, particularly technology and engineering companies. International graduates from countries including India and China have represented a significant share of the programme, with major U.S. technology companies relying on foreign-trained professionals to fill specialised positions.
The proposed OPT fee increase comes amid broader changes to U.S. immigration policies under the Trump administration, including measures targeting employment-based visas and foreign workers.
The administration’s latest position also contrasts with President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign comments, when he said foreign students graduating from U.S. universities should have a pathway to remain in the country and suggested that graduates could receive Green Cards.
The proposed DHS rule is expected to face legal challenges. Critics have questioned whether the administration has sufficient legal authority to impose such substantial fees on international students participating in federally authorised training programmes.
The proposal will now undergo a 30-day public comment period before DHS can consider finalising the rule. If approved, the department said it would allow an additional 60 days after finalisation before implementation, giving universities, students and employers time to prepare for the new requirements.
The proposed changes could have wider implications for the U.S. higher education sector, international student enrolment and the supply of skilled foreign workers, particularly in industries that depend heavily on graduates with specialised STEM qualifications.
