The story so far
Trump Student Work Fee
Tracked across 4 sources · Updated 2h ago
The Trump administration is reportedly considering a $100,000 fee for international students using the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program to work in the US after graduation. The proposal has sparked concern, especially among Indian students, and could impact thousands. It follows a court ruling that struck down a similar H-1B visa fee.
How it unfolded
12h ago
Plan affects 360,000 Indians; universities and firms react
2d ago
Report says Trump admin considers $100k OPT fee
What happened earlier
Latest updates
Latest
Full story →US considers $100,000 fee for international students' work visas
The Trump administration is considering a proposal to charge international students a $100,000 fee to work in the US after graduation via the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program.
OPT allows international graduates with F-1 visas to work in the US for up to 12 months, or up to 36 months for STEM graduates.
Nearly 419,000 international graduates were employed through OPT in 2024.
The proposal could reduce the attractiveness of US higher education for foreign students and pose challenges for universities and companies that rely on them.
Earlier · 10h ago
Full story →Trump Plan Proposes $100,000 Fee for H-1B Work in US
The Trump administration is reportedly proposing a $100,000 fee for foreign students to work in the US under H-1B visas.
The fee is equivalent to over Rs 95 lakh at current exchange rates, affecting Indian students significantly.
The plan could impact the number of Indian students opting to work in the US post-graduation.
Details of the proposal are still emerging, and it has not yet been implemented.
Earlier · 7h ago
Full story →US may charge $100,000 fee for foreign graduates' work program
The Trump administration is considering a $100,000 fee on Optional Practical Training (OPT) visas for international graduates.
The fee would apply to international students working in the US after graduation, potentially affecting Indian students.
A US court previously struck down a similar $100,000 fee on H-1B visas.
The Department of Homeland Security is reportedly mulling the fee, according to The Wall Street Journal.
OPT visas are an extension of F-1 student visas.
Earlier · 5h ago
Full story →Trump considers $100,000 OPT fee for international students
The Trump administration is considering a $100,000 fee on Optional Practical Training (OPT), a work permit for international students after graduating from US universities.
The fee would affect roughly 419,000 foreigners on OPT in 2024, potentially impacting enrollment and student finances.
The proposal follows a federal court striking down a similar $100,000 fee on H-1B visas, imposed in September 2025.
A federal judge in Boston, Judge Sorokin, struck down the H-1B fee in June, ruling it exceeded government authority under the Administrative Procedure Act.
The OPT fee is seen as a fallback after the H-1B fee was blocked, with DHS reportedly weighing the new fee.