Trump Admin Proposes Massive New Fees on Foreign Student Work Program
The Trump administration is proposing steep new fees for international graduates seeking temporary work in the United States, arguing that changes to a federal student employment program are needed to strengthen enforcement and protect American workers.
The Department of Homeland Security’s proposal would require colleges and universities to pay $70,000 before recommending an international student for employment authorization through Optional Practical Training, or OPT. Schools would owe an additional $30,000 for later authorization, including an extension available to qualifying graduates with degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
That would be a sharp increase from the current system, in which international students typically pay application fees of about $500 and colleges face no comparable five-figure charge to participate.
Although the proposed bills would go to educational institutions, schools might try to recover the cost by charging students more or arranging for prospective employers to cover some of the expense.
OPT allows foreign nationals studying in the United States on F-1 student visas to work temporarily in jobs related to their field of study, generally after graduation. Eligible graduates can receive up to 12 months of authorization. Those with qualifying STEM degrees can apply for another 24 months.
The program has become a route into U.S. jobs for international graduates, particularly in technology, engineering and other fields where employers seek specialized skills. Participants can also gain U.S. work experience before pursuing other employment-based immigration options.
Under DHS’s proposal, the initial $70,000 charge would be due before a university could recommend a student for OPT. The additional $30,000 would apply to subsequent authorization, such as a STEM extension.
DHS says the current system needs significant changes to address fraud, strengthen immigration enforcement and ensure employment programs for foreign students do not undermine opportunities for Americans. Administration officials have raised concerns that OPT may give employers access to comparatively inexpensive foreign labor and encourage hiring international graduates over American citizens and permanent residents.
The new charges could make participation far more expensive. Universities and employers may become more selective about which graduates they support, while critics warn that students weighing where to study could opt for countries with more accessible post-graduation work options, including Canada, Australia and nations in Europe.
The proposal arrives as U.S. international student enrollment faces pressure. The number of new foreign students entering the country reportedly fell 17 percent last fall, the steepest decline since the COVID-19 pandemic. Some universities have reported larger decreases this year, though complete national figures are not yet available.
The stakes extend beyond foreign students. International students often pay full tuition, making them an important source of revenue for colleges. Universities use that income to support academic programs, faculty and research.
Supporters of tighter restrictions argue that universities’ financial interests should not outweigh the need to protect job opportunities and wages for American workers. They maintain that employment programs must serve their intended purpose without giving businesses an incentive to favor foreign labor over domestic applicants.
The OPT plan is part of a wider Trump administration effort to tighten rules governing student visas and foreign-worker programs. Other actions have affected employment authorization and raised costs tied to employment-based immigration.
DHS published the proposed rule in the Federal Register on October 8. The public comment period is scheduled to run through November 9. The department will review the submissions before deciding whether to revise or finalize the rule. The proposed $70,000 and $30,000 fees are not yet in effect.