Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Proposed $70,000 OPT Fee Could Reshape U.S. Graduate Work Path
OPT is a program that lets some international students work in the United States in jobs connected to what they studied.
Most eligible students can use it for up to a year, and some STEM graduates can ask for two more years.
The Department of Homeland Security has proposed a large new fee for schools that recommend students for OPT.
The fee would be $70,000 at first and $30,000 for later recommendations, including STEM extensions.
The plan is not yet a rule, and people will have a chance to comment before the government decides whether to finalize it.
Schools could pass the cost to students or employers, or they might recommend fewer students.
DHS says the fees would help prevent fraud and protect U.S. workers.
The change could be especially important to Indian students because OPT can provide work experience after graduation.
A proposed DHS rule would charge SEVP-certified institutions $70,000 for an initial OPT recommendation and $30,000 for later recommendations, including STEM OPT extensions.
The proposal is not in effect; publication is scheduled for October 8, followed by a 30-day public comment period and review before any final rule.
OPT allows eligible F-1 students to work in jobs related to their studies for up to 12 months, with qualifying STEM graduates able to seek a 24-month extension.
Although institutions would pay the proposed fees, they could recoup the costs from students or employers, potentially making OPT more expensive or limiting recommendations.
DHS says the fees aim to deter fraud and protect U.S. workers, and estimates annual revenue of $8.4 billion to $16.5 billion; participation could decline.
- Who
- The Department of Homeland Security proposed the fees; they would be charged to SEVP-certified educational institutions recommending F-1 students for OPT.
- What
- A proposed $70,000 fee for an initial OPT recommendation and $30,000 for subsequent recommendations, including STEM OPT extensions.
- When
- The notice is scheduled for Federal Register publication on October 8, followed by 30 days for public comments; the fees would require a final rule to take effect.
- Where
- United States
- Why
- DHS says the proposal is intended to combat fraud, strengthen immigration-system integrity, and protect U.S. workers.
DHS's stated case
Potential effects on students and institutions
Purpose and safeguards
DHS's stated case
DHS says the fees would encourage closer institutional review, combat fraud, strengthen immigration-system integrity, and protect U.S. workers.
Potential effects on students and institutions
The article notes that the high costs could be passed on to students or employers, or lead institutions to make fewer OPT recommendations.
Access to OPT
DHS's stated case
DHS says participation has grown substantially and argues that OPT has become a channel for what it describes as cheap foreign labour.
Potential effects on students and institutions
The proposal could make OPT opportunities economically difficult, particularly for students whose degrees qualify only for standard one-year OPT; DHS acknowledges participation may fall.
- Initial proposed fee
- $70,000 per initial OPT recommendation, charged to the institution
- Subsequent proposed fee
- $30,000 for later OPT recommendations, including STEM OPT extensions
- Standard OPT period
- Up to 12 months for eligible F-1 students
- STEM OPT extension
- Qualifying STEM graduates can seek an additional 24 months
- Current Form I-765 fee
- $470 online or $520 on paper in the standard category
- Comment period
- 30 days after the notice's scheduled October 8 publication
- DHS annual revenue estimate
- $8.4 billion to $16.5 billion, with a central estimate of about $12.4 billion