The Golden Ticket: Understanding OPT
For thousands of international students in the United States, including a large contingent from India, the journey doesn't end at graduation. Many rely on Optional Practical Training (OPT) as a critical next step. OPT is a program that allows eligible
F-1 visa students to gain up to 12 months of temporary employment directly related to their major area of study. For those in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), this can be extended for an additional 24 months. More than just a job, OPT is the primary bridge between a US education and a professional career. It provides invaluable real-world experience, helps graduates build professional networks, and often serves as a pathway to longer-term work visas like the H-1B. For many, the possibility of participating in OPT is a key factor in choosing to invest in a costly American education.
Unpacking the $100,000 Proposal
In late July and early August 2026, reports emerged that the Trump administration was considering a staggering new requirement: a $100,000 fee for F-1 students to participate in the OPT program. According to reports first published in The Wall Street Journal, the idea was under internal discussion within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). However, it is crucial to understand that this is only a proposal, not a finalized policy or law. As of now, no official rule has been announced, and key details—such as whether the fee would be paid by the student, their employer, or the university—remain unclear. The proposal mirrors a previous attempt to attach a similar $100,000 fee to certain H-1B petitions, a move that was subsequently blocked by federal courts, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the OPT proposal's future.
Is the Fee Likely to Happen?
Many immigration experts and university advocates are skeptical that a $100,000 OPT fee could survive legal and practical scrutiny. Attorneys point to the lack of clear authority for such a drastic fee and argue it would likely face immediate court challenges, similar to those that stalled the H-1B fee. Economically, such a policy could be devastating. International students contribute billions annually to the U.S. economy through tuition and living expenses. A six-figure fee for the right to work after graduation would almost certainly discourage many of the world's brightest students from choosing American universities, pushing them toward competitor countries with more welcoming post-study work policies. For now, the proposal remains an unconfirmed idea, and it does not appear on any official regulatory agenda.
The Real Changes Happening Now
While the $100,000 fee remains speculative, other significant changes to the F-1 program are concrete and imminent. Effective September 15, 2026, the US is eliminating the long-standing “Duration of Status” (D/S) system. Previously, F-1 students were admitted for as long as they maintained their student status. Under the new rule, they will be admitted for a fixed period, typically up to four years. This means students whose programs or OPT periods extend beyond their admission date must now file for an extension of stay directly with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This creates a two-part process for many OPT applicants, who will need approval for both their work authorization and their extension of stay, introducing new costs, paperwork, and potential for delays. Additionally, the grace period for students to depart the U.S. after their program or OPT ends is being cut from 60 days to 30 days.
Impact on Indian Students
With India sending more students to the US than any other country, this combination of proposed and definite changes is causing significant anxiety. The $100,000 proposal, if ever implemented, would make the American dream financially impossible for the vast majority of families. Even without it, the new rules ending Duration of Status create tangible hurdles. Indian students often pursue multi-year graduate programs, change research tracks, or utilize the full length of STEM OPT, all of which could now require a complex and uncertain extension process with USCIS. This added layer of bureaucracy and the risk of processing delays threaten the seamless transition from F-1 student to OPT employee that has been a cornerstone of the US educational value proposition for decades.
