Trump Weighs $100,000 Fee for International Graduates

The Trump administration is considering a $100,000 fee for post-graduation work authorization, Bloomberg reported on July 30, 2026. The potential change could significantly reshape how international students evaluate the cost and career value of earning a degree in the United States.

A Proposal, Not a Rule

The reported plan concerns Optional Practical Training, commonly known as OPT, which allows eligible F-1 students to gain work experience related to their field of study. Bloomberg described the fee as being under consideration rather than as a finalized policy.

Important details remain unavailable, including who would pay the fee, which applicants might be covered, whether exceptions would apply and when any change could begin. No new $100,000 OPT fee is currently in effect as of July 31, 2026.

Students therefore do not need to pay the reported amount or alter an existing OPT application based solely on the news report. Any policy change would need to be communicated through official federal action before its scope and effective date become clear.

How OPT Works Today

Under current federal rules, practical training must be directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. Eligible students may generally receive up to 12 months of OPT at each educational level after obtaining a recommendation from their designated school official and employment authorization from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Graduates with qualifying science, technology, engineering or mathematics degrees may apply for an additional 24-month STEM OPT extension. Employers participating in STEM OPT must meet requirements that include enrollment in E-Verify and completion of a formal training plan with the student.

OPT remains available under existing federal rules. It is separate from the H-1B program, although many international graduates use OPT as an early-career bridge while employers consider longer-term immigration options.

What Students Should Watch

If adopted, a $100,000 charge could substantially increase the financial risk of studying in the United States for students who expect post-graduation employment to help offset tuition and living costs. It could also influence employers' willingness to recruit international graduates, depending on who would be responsible for payment.

For now, prospective and current students should distinguish between a reported policy discussion and an implemented immigration rule. They should monitor announcements from USCIS, the Department of Homeland Security and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, while consulting their school's international student office about existing deadlines and eligibility requirements.

This article describes a reported policy discussion and does not constitute legal advice. Individual students should seek guidance from their designated school official or a qualified immigration attorney before making immigration decisions.

Sources

• Trump Weighs $100,000 Fee for Foreign Students to Work Post-Grad — Bloomberg (July 30, 2026)
• Chapter 5 - Practical Training — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (accessed July 31, 2026)
• Practical Training — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (accessed July 31, 2026)