The Trump administration has proposed a KSh 9.03 million (USD 70,000) fee that American universities would be required to pay for every international student they sponsor on the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme. This move has sparked concerns that it could effectively end post-graduation work opportunities for Kenyan and other international graduates. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the proposed rule on October 7, 2026, under Docket No. ICEB-2026-0100.
Under the framework, schools holding SEVP certification would pay the initial fee before submitting a student's first OPT recommendation, with an additional KSh 3.87 million (USD 30,000) required for each renewal, including STEM OPT extensions. If a university has not paid, designated school officials cannot enter a recommendation in the SEVIS system, and work authorisation cannot be granted. The Federal Register publication, scheduled for October 8, 2026, opened a 30-day public comment window, closing at 11:59 p.m. ET on November 7, 2026.
DHS estimates the rule would affect approximately 2,478 schools and generate between KSh 1.08 trillion (USD 8.4 billion) and KSh 2.13 trillion (USD 16.5 billion) in annual fees. Students already on approved OPT before the effective date would be exempt. The proposed fee has been framed as a measure to "combat fraud, strengthen the integrity of the immigration system, and protect U.S. workers", characterising OPT as a "pipeline for cheap foreign labour".
OPT currently allows F-1 visa holders up to 12 months of post-graduation employment in a field related to their studies, with STEM graduates eligible for a further 24-month extension. For Kenyan families who liquidate assets to cover international tuition fees, that work period is often the primary means of recouping their educational investment. The impact of the proposed fee on Kenyan students could be significant, potentially limiting their opportunities for post-graduation employment.
Education groups have pushed back against the proposal, with NAFSA, the association for international education, strongly opposing it. Its CEO, Fanta Aw, expressed concerns that the move "creates deep uncertainty for international students." The association also warned that driving away international students would hurt American innovation, economic growth, workforce development, and global leadership.
Doug Rand, a former senior adviser at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under the Biden administration, predicted the rule would face legal challenges similar to those that struck down a KSh 12.9 million (USD 100,000) H-1B visa fee imposed by the same administration. Rand argued that embracing international students and allowing them to work and apply their talents after graduating would be more beneficial.
Members of the public wishing to comment on the proposal must do so via regulations.gov, referencing Docket No. ICEB-2026-0100, before the November 7 deadline. The proposed rule has sparked significant debate, with various stakeholders weighing in on its potential impact on international students and the US education system.
Key points
- The Trump administration proposes a KSh 9.03 million fee for US schools sponsoring international students on the OPT programme.
- The proposed fee could shut down a key post-graduation work pathway for thousands of Kenyan students studying in the United States.
- Education groups have strongly opposed the proposal, citing concerns about its impact on international students and the US education system.
