Trump administration weighs $100,000 OPT fee for foreign graduates
The Trump administration is reportedly considering a plan to impose a $100,000 fee on the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows international graduates to work in the United States for up to three years after completing their degrees. Government data show that about 419,000 foreign graduates were employed under OPT in 2024. No official announcement has been made, and a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said no policy can be deemed final until formally announced.
The proposal follows a similar $100,000 surcharge that the administration tried to place on H‑1B visas, which was blocked by a federal appeals court. Critics warn that the fee could generate roughly $41.9 billion in revenue but would hurt U.S. universities that rely on tuition from international students and could impede technology and financial firms that depend on OPT talent. Business groups and student organizations have voiced strong opposition, and it remains unclear whether the fee would be charged to students, employers, or both.
Entities: Department of Homeland Security · Donald Trump · International students · Optional Practical Training (OPT) program · Technology and financial firms · U.S. universities
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 7 SOURCES] The proposed fee would be linked to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) visas. (multiple)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Trump administration also offers “Gold Cards” that grant permanent residency for a $1 million investment and a $15,000 processing fee. (policy description)
- [● 7 SOURCES] A previous $100,000 fee proposal for H‑1B visas was blocked by a federal appeals court. (multiple)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Student groups, technology companies and other business interests have expressed strong opposition to the fee proposal. (reactions)
- [● 7 SOURCES] About 419,000 international graduates were working under OPT in 2024. (multiple)
- [● 5 SOURCES] No official announcement has been made and White House officials have not confirmed the fee policy. (official comment)
- [● 7 SOURCES] The fee could reduce university tuition revenue and hinder hiring of skilled talent by U.S. tech and financial firms. (multiple)
- [● 7 SOURCES] The Trump administration is considering imposing a $100,000 fee on the OPT program for foreign graduates. (multiple)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Trump administration is reviewing a $100,000 fee on foreign graduates seeking employment under the OPT program. (Both articles (IDs 9d71be1e-8ea2-423b-95bd-e6058044e6c6, ff367e76-ff83-4190-9ecf-b3d512a44447) report this proposal.)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The proposal could adversely affect U.S. universities that depend on international student tuition and tech/finance firms that recruit OPT graduates. (Both articles discuss potential impacts on universities and Silicon Valley/Wall Street employers.)
- [● 7 SOURCES] A DHS spokesperson said no policy can be considered final until an official announcement is made. (multiple)
- [● 7 SOURCES] If the fee is imposed on each OPT participant, total revenue could reach approximately $41.9 billion. (multiple)