US proposes $70,000 OPT fee for universities hosting international students

The financial implications could also extend to universities, particularly institutions that rely significantly on international enrolment and tuition revenue generated by foreign students.

The proposed structure would require institutions to assess the potential financial implications of recommending students for the programme, potentially adding another consideration to international recruitment and post-graduation employment planning.

DHS Cites Oversight and Fraud Concerns

DHS said the proposed changes are intended to strengthen oversight of OPT and encourage universities to exercise greater selectivity when recommending students for the programme.

The department said the higher fees would require foreign students to demonstrate greater value to prospective employers while reducing what the administration described as unfair competition with American workers.

The proposal also comes amid concerns about potential fraud within the programme. Immigration and Customs Enforcement identified more than 10,000 cases of potential fraud associated with OPT earlier in 2026.

Funds generated through the proposed fees would be paid into the US Treasury.

The proposal therefore represents a shift in how the financial burden associated with OPT participation would be distributed, placing the principal cost on institutions rather than individual international students.

OPT Change Comes Amid Wider Immigration Measures

The proposed fee is part of a broader series of immigration measures introduced by the Trump administration affecting international students and skilled foreign workers in the United States.

In September 2026, the United States tightened rules for F-1 students, replacing the long-standing “duration of status” system with fixed admission periods.

Under the revised framework, most international students are limited to a maximum admission period of four years, while the grace period after completing studies or authorised post-completion practical training was reduced from 60 days to 30 days.

Students requiring additional time for their academic programmes or OPT may have to apply to USCIS for an extension of stay.

The administration has also introduced changes affecting the H-1B programme, a common pathway for international graduates seeking to remain in the United States after OPT.

In August 2026, the Trump administration proposed a $103,265 fee on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers. The proposal followed other changes, including a wage-weighted selection system that gives higher-paid positions better odds of selection.

The proposed OPT fee could therefore add another financial consideration for universities and international students navigating the US higher education and immigration systems.

The proposal remains subject to the US regulatory process, while its potential impact on universities, international enrolment and foreign graduates will depend on the final rules adopted by the US government.