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The United States government is considering a major increase in the cost of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposing a $70,000 fee for international students.
Under the proposed policy, educational institutions would be responsible for paying the charge for each foreign student taking part in OPT. The programme currently provides eligible international students with an opportunity to gain work experience in the US in areas connected to their studies.
The proposed fee would apply to initial OPT applications, while a renewal could attract a separate $30,000 charge, according to the Associated Press.
OPT ordinarily permits qualifying foreign graduates to work in the US for up to one year. Those who complete degrees in eligible STEM disciplines may qualify for an additional 24 months under the STEM OPT extension.
The proposed charges could make it substantially more expensive for US institutions to retain international graduates, potentially affecting students from Nigeria and other countries who depend on the programme to obtain professional experience after graduation.
Fanta Aw of the Association of International Educators (NAFSA) raised concerns about the proposal, warning that such a financial burden could make the US less attractive to international talent and have wider consequences for innovation and economic growth.
DHS, however, said the measure is intended to address what it considers fraud and abuse within the OPT system. The department has also characterised the programme as a channel for employers to access inexpensive foreign labour.
The proposal is not yet a final rule. Members of the public would have 60 days to submit comments before the administration decides whether to proceed.
The move is part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to tighten immigration rules affecting international students. Immigration experts expect the proposed fee to face legal challenges if the government moves ahead with its implementation.
