DHS Proposes $70,000 Fee Per Student for Post-Graduate Work Program

WASHINGTON, The Department of Homeland Security on Oct. 7 proposed a sweeping new fee structure for the Optional Practical Training program, which would require universities to pay $70,000 each time they recommend an international student for initial work authorization and $30,000 for any subsequent authorization, including STEM extensions.

The proposed rule, published in the Federal Register on Oct. 8, is a notice of proposed rulemaking, not a final rule. <cite index="19-9">The public-comment deadline is Nov. 9, 2026.</cite>

<cite index="13-1">DHS said the rule, if finalized, would reduce the flow of cheap labor into the United States and make it easier for American citizens to compete in the job market.</cite> <cite index="26-5">"American workers should not have to compete against a program that has been turned into a pipeline for cheap foreign labor," a DHS spokesperson said in a press release.</cite>

<cite index="15-2,15-3">OPT provides eligible F-1 students with temporary employment authorization related to their field of study.</cite> <cite index="12-3">Students currently must remit $520 to apply for permission to work.</cite> The new fees would represent an increase of roughly 150 times the existing rate.

<cite index="18-9,18-10">The proposal places responsibility for payment on the student's SEVP-certified school, not the student or employer. The school would be required to pay the fee before its designated school official recommends the student for OPT in SEVIS and before the student files an employment authorization application with USCIS.</cite> <cite index="24-8,24-9">DHS acknowledged that the fee would create new costs for higher education institutions and could impact their international student enrollment, but said colleges could "mitigate their budgetary impact by passing on the financial obligation" to international students, all students, or to employers.</cite>

DHS cited fraud in the existing program as a primary justification. <cite index="27-1,27-2">Officials wrote that the goal of the fee is to curb cases of OPT fraud, in which students use OPT to remain in the country but are not actually doing legitimate work. DHS also cited a recent agency investigation that it said found 10,000 F-1 students on OPT who "were working for highly suspect employers."</cite>

<cite index="16-3">The department also said that "without the fees proposed in this rule, it cannot operate OPT consistent with its focus on preventing fraud and may shut down the program entirely."</cite>

Opposition from universities was swift. <cite index="20-7">The University of Michigan and Cornell have explicitly stated they will submit comments opposing the proposal, describing it as a significant departure from the existing OPT framework.</cite> <cite index="20-8">The University of Michigan warned, "There will certainly be litigation from higher education institutions or associations challenging the fee."</cite>

<cite index="26-2">"The University of California is assessing the impact of this proposal and remains committed to supporting international students," a UC Office of the President spokesperson said in an emailed statement.</cite>

Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, also condemned the plan. <cite index="24-11,24-12">"Imposing this new fee structure on Optional Practical Training is the latest in a series of developments that creates deep uncertainty for international students," Aw said. "Driving away the talents, perspectives, and aspirations of international students will only hurt American innovation, economic growth, workforce development, and global leadership."</cite>

<cite index="21-6">Given the sweeping nature of the proposal and the extraordinary fee levels under consideration, many higher education, business, and industry groups are expected to request additional time to evaluate the proposal and prepare comments.</cite>

<cite index="23-2">The OPT proposal has drawn more than 2,000 public comments since its publication.</cite>

<cite index="28-13">Doug Rand of the Talent Mobility Fund, which advocates for attracting foreign STEM talent, told followers on LinkedIn that DHS lacks the authority to impose a $70,000 fee.</cite> Legal experts have noted that OPT exists in regulation rather than statute, a point critics say could complicate enforcement of the rule if finalized.

The comment window closes Nov. 9. DHS has not indicated a timeline for a final rule.

Sources cited:
- DHS Press Release (https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/10/07/dhs-proposes-fees-foreign-student-work-program-protect-american-jobs)
- American Council on Education (https://www.acenet.edu/News-Room/Pages/DHS-Proposes-New-OPT-Fee.aspx)
- Immigrant News (Federal Register citation) (https://news.missimmigrantusa.com/2026/10/08/dhs-opt-fee-70000-30000-international-students-2026/)
- Higher Ed Dive (https://www.highereddive.com/news/dhs-proposes-70k-fee-for-initial-opt-participation-and-30k-for-extensions/832436/)
- Inside Higher Ed (https://www.insidehighered.com/news/global/international-students-us/2026/10/08/trump-admin-expects-institutions-pay-70k-opt-fee)
- Free Press Journal (University reactions) (https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/us-opt-visa-rule-2026-top-universities-oppose-proposed-70000-fee-for-international-students)
- Daily Bruin (UC response) (https://dailybruin.com/2026/10/13/dhs-looks-to-charge-70k-fee-for-international-student-work-authorization)
- The Star / Malay Mail (public comment volume) (https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/10/18/public-comments-flood-us-government-websites-over-proposed-h-1b-opt-fee-hikes)
- Within Nigeria / Global Immigration Blog (Talent Mobility Fund) (https://www.withinnigeria.com/2026/10/08/dhs-opt-program-fee-proposal-us-plans-70000-charge-per-international-student-for-work-authorisation/)
- Seyfarth Shaw (NPRM analysis) (https://www.seyfarth.com/news-insights/a-new-price-tag-on-opt-dhs-proposes-unprecedented-fees-for-f-1-practical-training.html)