DHS Proposes $70,000 School Fee for Initial OPT

DHS proposed a $70,000 school-paid fee for initial OPT, a change that could sharply limit access to practical training for F-1 international students. The rule, published on October 8, 2026, would also impose a $30,000 fee for each subsequent OPT recommendation.

How the Fees Would Work

Under the proposal, a college or university certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program would have to pay $70,000 before its designated school official could recommend a student for OPT for the first time. The fee would apply whether the student initially seeks pre-completion or post-completion OPT.

A school would pay another $30,000 for a later OPT recommendation involving the same student. This could include post-completion OPT following pre-completion training or a 24-month STEM OPT extension. A change of employer alone would not trigger the fee.

The payment would have to be recorded before the recommendation is entered into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. Without it, the student could not obtain the updated Form I-20 needed to file Form I-765 for employment authorization.

Why Students Are Concerned

The proposal is not yet in effect. Students may continue using the existing OPT application process while the rule remains under review. DHS also proposes applying the fees prospectively, based on recommendations issued on or after the effective date of a future final rule.

If finalized, however, schools would decide whether to fund each recommendation. DHS states that institutions could pass the financial obligation to international students, employers or the broader student population, although the regulation would make the school responsible for paying the government.

The cost could therefore affect whether universities continue recommending eligible students for OPT. That matters because OPT commonly gives international graduates up to 12 months of work authorization related to their major, while qualifying STEM graduates may seek an additional 24 months.

What Happens Next

DHS says the fees are intended to discourage fraud, strengthen oversight and protect U.S. workers. The department’s economic analysis also acknowledges uncertainty about how many institutions would continue supporting OPT recommendations at the proposed prices.

Public comments on the main proposal are due November 9, 2026, under docket ICEB-2026-0100. DHS may revise the regulation after reviewing comments. If a final rule is issued, the proposed text provides for it to take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Students should consult their designated school official or a qualified immigration attorney about individual circumstances.

Sources

• Optional Practical Training Fees — Federal Register (October 8, 2026)
• DHS proposes a $70,000 fee for international students to work in the US — Associated Press (October 8, 2026)
• Proposed $70,000 OPT Fee: A Regulatory Change That Could Effectively Shut Down OPT for Many Students — Reddy Neumann Brown PC (October 8, 2026)