The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Thursday published a proposed rule that would require U.S. institutions of higher education to pay $70,000 for each initial recommendation of an international student for Optional Practical Training (OPT), a federal program that allows students to work in the United States after graduation in fields related to their degrees.
Under the proposal, schools would also pay an additional $30,000 for subsequent OPT recommendations, including extensions available to eligible graduates in STEM fields, which would result in $100,000 in fees per student for a university. Universities currently do not have to pay fees to issue OPT recommendations.
The public can submit comments through November 9, after which DHS will review submissions before deciding whether to issue the final rule.
OPT allows students on F-1 visas to work in jobs directly related to their studies, generally for up to 12 months after graduation. Students with eligible STEM degrees can apply for a 24-month extension. According to the Congressional Research Service, nearly 420,000 people participated in the OPT program in 2024, a sharp increase from previous years.
The University of Chicago’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) outlined the proposed fees in a Friday announcement. OIA said it would closely monitor the development and share updates as more information becomes available. The University has not announced how it would cover the charges if the rule takes effect.
The proposal does not specify how schools must obtain the funds, leaving open the possibility that students or employers could bear some of the costs.
DHS said in a press release Wednesday that the fees are intended to discourage fraudulent OPT applications, increase universities’ scrutiny of student work placements, and protect U.S. workers. The agency estimates the fees could generate approximately $12.4 billion annually.
The move comes after several unsuccessful attempts by the Trump administration to increase burdens on international students and the institutions that accept them. Since June, federal judges have blocked the implementation of rules that would have increased H-1B specialty worker visa fees to $100,000 and imposed new limits on how long F and J visa holders—students in the country for short times, such as for study abroad programs—can remain in the country.
