The U.S. government is considering a $100,000 [1] fee for foreign students using the Optional Practical Training program to work after graduation.
This proposal could fundamentally alter the pipeline of international talent entering the American workforce. By creating a massive financial barrier, the Department of Homeland Security may discourage foreign graduates from pursuing professional roles in the U.S., particularly in high-demand sectors like engineering.
The Department of Homeland Security is weighing the fee to raise revenue and curb the flow of foreign workers entering the country after completing their degrees [2], [3]. The Optional Practical Training program currently allows international students to gain practical experience in their field of study for a set period following their graduation.
Reports indicate that approximately 360,000 [4] Indian students could be affected by this change. India provides one of the largest cohorts of international students to U.S. universities, many of whom rely on the program to transition from academic study to professional employment.
There is currently a contradiction regarding who would be responsible for the payment. Some reports said the fee would be levied directly on the foreign student seeking post-graduation work [1]. Other reports said it remains unclear if the students, the universities, or the employers would be responsible for the $100,000 [5] cost.
If implemented, the fee would represent a significant increase in the cost of maintaining legal work status for non-citizens. The move comes as part of a broader effort to manage the volume of foreign nationals entering the U.S. labor market through student visa pathways.
“The U.S. government is considering a $100,000 fee for foreign students using the Optional Practical Training program.”
This proposed fee would likely shift the competitive landscape for U.S. employers. If students cannot afford the fee, companies may struggle to retain international graduates, potentially driving talent toward countries with more accessible post-study work visas. Furthermore, the ambiguity over who pays the fee suggests the government is still determining whether to target the individual's mobility or the employer's cost of hiring.
