The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has unveiled a sweeping regulatory proposal aimed at significantly tightening immigration rules for international students. Under the proposed measures, foreign scholars seeking hands-on occupational experience in the United States could face exorbitant new training fees running into tens of thousands of dollars, marking a drastic shift from existing administrative costs.
According to an official notice published on Wednesday, international students holding F-1 visas who wish to participate in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) scheme will be required to pay a designated training fee of at least $70,000 (£53,500) to an authorised institution. Furthermore, students pursing additional or extended practical training will be subjected to an extra fee of $30,000. Under the current framework, eligible foreign students pay roughly $500 to process their OPT applications, making the proposed increase a more than hundredfold jump.
The OPT programme is a cornerstone of the American higher education appeal for overseas candidates. It allows international students to work up to 20 hours per week in jobs relevant to their field of study while enrolled, as well as secure full-time temporary employment for a specified period following graduation. Graduates with degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields currently enjoy extended OPT eligibility, allowing them to gain up to three years of practical professional experience in the US market.
Historically, the OPT pathway has served as a vital bridge for international talent to transition into long-term employment through the H-1B skilled worker visa. However, this critical talent pipeline faces mounting pressure, as the Trump administration has already introduced heightened administrative restrictions and substantial fee increases for H-1B applicants.
In defence of the proposal, Homeland Security officials asserted that the radical fee restructuring is designed to curb immigration fraud, enhance transparency and integrity within the student visa system, and protect American workers from foreign labor competition. Despite these justifications, higher education advocates and legal experts anticipate swift legal challenges against the policy. A 30-day public comment period has been opened, following which DHS must allow a further 60 days after final approval before the rules can take effect.
