White House reviews $100,000 fee proposal for international student OPT

A proposal to impose a $100,000 fee on the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program has cleared White House review. The measure, originating from the Trump administration, targets the program that allows eligible F-1 international students to gain temporary work experience in the United States related to their field of study.

While the proposal has passed the review by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, it has not been finalized. The measure must still move through the federal rulemaking process, which includes being published in the Federal Register to allow for public comment from universities, students, and employers.

The exact details regarding who would be responsible for the payment remain unclear. Some legal experts suggest universities might be forced to pay the fee to employers, while others note the impact on students could be severe. The policy would significantly affect international graduates, particularly those in STEM fields who can currently extend their work authorization for up to three years. Indian students are identified as a group that could be disproportionately impacted, as India is a major source of international students in the U.S. who utilize OPT as a bridge to long-term employment options like the H-1B program.