The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed a significant fee increase for international students seeking work authorization in the country. According to a government notice posted online, nonimmigrant students with F-1 visas would be required to pay $70,000 to a certified institution for on-the-job training, known as Optional Practical Training (OPT). This move is part of the Trump administration's wider crackdown on foreign visa holders.
The proposed rule aims to combat fraud, strengthen the integrity of the immigration system, and protect US workers. Under the OPT system, foreign students can engage in work training for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, as well as for a limited time after graduation. Those with degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are allowed an additional allowance. Currently, students enrolled in OPT are expected to pay around $500.
The new fee proposal also includes an additional $30,000 for any extra work training. DHS stated that the fee is intended to ensure employers, students, and institutions engage in appropriate activities consistent with admission as an F-1 nonimmigrant. This move may impact students seeking work under H-1B visas, which the Trump administration has also targeted with increased fees.
The H-1B program has allowed young engineers and scientists from across the world, especially India and China, to turn years of study at US universities into high-paying jobs and a path to permanent US residency. Leading US tech companies rely heavily on these workers to fill skilled positions. President Donald Trump had previously vowed to make it easier for foreign students to remain in the country.
However, the proposed rule change is likely to face swift legal challenges. Doug Rand, director of the Talent Mobility Fund, wrote that the proposed rule "isn't going to fare well in the courts." Similar DHS proposals have been struck down in the past. The proposal is subject to 30 days of public comment before it can be finalized.
DHS will wait 60 days after finalization to put the rule into effect, allowing schools, students, and employers time to prepare. The OPT system often serves as a bridge for students seeking work under H-1B visas. The proposed rule change may have significant implications for international students and US tech companies.
The Trump administration's move to increase fees for international students and H-1B visa holders has been met with criticism. The proposed rule change is part of a broader effort to restrict immigration and prioritize US workers. The impact of this proposal on international students and US tech companies will be closely watched in the coming months.
Key points
- International students may face $100,000 in fees for work authorization and training.
- The proposed rule change aims to combat fraud and protect US workers.
- The proposal is likely to face swift legal challenges.
