US proposes a $70,000 OPT fee for international students.
The US proposes a $70,000 OPT fee for international students, with an additional $30,000 price for future OPT and STEM OPT extensions. The proposal is not final.
The US Department of Homeland Security has suggested a $70,000 price for initial Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorization, potentially increasing the cost of recruiting international graduates in the United States.
The plan, which was announced on October 7, 2026, would apply to qualifying F-1 students seeking OPT after completing their studies in the United States.
The $70,000 price would apply when an F-1 student is first approved for OPT under the proposed guidelines, though the proposal does not state that the student would directly pay the fee.
The $70,000 price would apply the first time an F-1 student is recommended for OPT after the rule goes into effect, while each subsequent OPT recommendation would incur a suggested $30,000 fee. This would also apply to subsequent OPT authorizations, including STEM OPT renewals.
Under the proposal:
Initial OPT authorization: $70,000.
Subsequent OPT authorizations: $30,000.
STEM OPT extensions cost $30,000.
OPT now offers qualifying F-1 graduates the opportunity to get practical work experience in the United States after completing their academic program.
For international students, the shift may have major consequences. If the planned levies become required, universities and companies may become more selective in their support for international graduates.
Current OPT Process and Fees
According to the USCIS fee schedule, the current regular Form I-765 filing fee is $470 for online filing and $520 for paper filing.
Students may also seek premium processing for qualified OPT and STEM OPT applications by submitting Form I-907. Beginning March 1, 2026, the premium processing price for Form I-765 OPT/STEM OPT cases is $1,780 in addition to the usual I-765 fee.
At this point, the $70,000 charge is just a proposal. It will be subject to public consultation before the US government decides whether to implement it.
The bigger message is clear: the United States is considering much higher post-study employment expenditures for international students, which may make American education less appealing to some candidates.
30 Day Public Comment Period
The proposed regulation is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register, triggering a 30-day public comment process. An advance copy of the proposal is now available for review.
The fee will not be implemented merely because DHS has proposed it. It must first go through the federal regulation procedure and be publicly finalized. If the initiative proceeds, it may face legal challenges.
This proposal raises serious concerns among Indian students. If adopted, the expense may dissuade colleges and employers from sponsoring OPT, making US study-to-work pathways more difficult.
