F-1 OPT Fee Hike: $70K Work Authorization Fee Under Trump Proposal; What Is OPT and When Could It Take Effect?

US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has recently announced its plans to significantly raise the amount of fees that international students have to pay for working training programs in the country. If the plan is accepted, then those who are on F-1 visa will be obliged to pay up to $70,000 for participation in the OPT program, which gives international students an opportunity to do practical work related to their studies. The proposal is another initiative by Trump administration aimed at increasing restrictions for foreigners using US visas. According to Reuters, DHS also wants to introduce a fee of $30,000 for another training program. The main purpose of the proposed charges is “to combat fraud, strengthen the integrity of the immigration system, and protect US workers”.

$70,000 OPT Fee for F-1 Students: What Is the Trump Administration Proposing?

Under the plan by the DHS, international students with F-1 visas would have to pay a $70,000 fine for OPT work. This fee would be payable to a certified body for work training associated with the academic program of the student.

Another program of work training would be subject to a proposed fine of $30,000, as mentioned in Reuters. The DHS stated that the newly proposed fees were meant to “combat fraud, promote integrity of the immigration system, and protect US workers.”

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F-1 OPT Fee Increase: From Around $500 to $70,000