First, A Quick Refresher on OPT
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a long-standing program that allows international students on F-1 visas to gain up to 12 months of temporary work experience directly related to their field of study. For graduates in certain Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Mathematics (STEM) fields, this can be extended for an additional 24 months. For decades, OPT has been a vital bridge between education and career, allowing students to apply their skills in a professional setting. It is also a major draw for US universities competing for global talent, as it provides a pathway from education into the American labor market.
The $100,000 Proposal Explained
In late July and early August 2026, reports emerged that the administration is considering a proposal to attach a $100,000 fee to the OPT program. This idea, reportedly under discussion within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is not yet a formal policy. The details remain unclear, but the concept is that either the student, their university, or their employer would have to pay a significant fee for the student to be authorized to work under OPT. The stated goal is to deter international students from working in the U.S. after graduation, based on the argument that it protects American jobs. This follows previous, unsuccessful attempts to attach similar high fees to other visa programs like the H-1B.
What This Proposal Would Change
If this proposal were ever to become law, it would fundamentally reshape the landscape for international students. The most immediate effect would be to make post-graduation work experience prohibitively expensive for the vast majority of students and their potential employers. Given that annual tuition can already be tens of thousands of dollars, an additional $100,000 fee would make the US a far less attractive destination for study compared to countries like Canada or the United Kingdom. This would particularly harm graduates in fields where starting salaries are not in the six figures, as well as startups and smaller companies that rely on talent from the OPT pool but cannot afford such a high cost. The policy, if enacted, would function as a near-total prohibition on OPT for all but the wealthiest.
What This Proposal Does Not Mean (Yet)
This is the most critical part: the proposal is not law. It is not an executive order, nor is it a formally introduced bill or a published rule. At this stage, it is an idea reportedly being discussed internally. Therefore, it does not currently affect anyone on OPT, anyone applying for it, or any prospective student planning their education. It is a political talking point, not an administrative reality. Legal experts have also questioned whether such a fee could survive a court challenge, arguing it functions as a tax that Congress has not authorized. For now, the existing OPT rules are the only ones that apply.
The Politics Behind the Idea
This idea is part of a broader push for more restrictive immigration policies. Proponents argue that programs like OPT allow companies to hire foreign workers at lower wages, displacing domestic talent. By floating a high-dollar-figure fee, they are attempting to force a debate and appeal to voters concerned about economic competition. However, this view is strongly contested. Business groups, universities, and economists argue that international graduates fill critical skill gaps, contribute to innovation, and often create more jobs. Research has shown that OPT participants do not negatively impact job opportunities for US workers and, in some cases, are associated with lower unemployment rates in STEM fields.
Context: Other Recent Changes to Student Visas
This proposal does not exist in a vacuum. It follows other recent regulatory changes affecting international students. Notably, DHS issued a final rule in July 2026 to eliminate "Duration of Status" (D/S) for F-1 visa holders, effective September 2026. Previously, students were admitted for the entire duration of their studies. Now, they will be admitted for a fixed period (not to exceed four years) and will have to formally apply for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS if their program or subsequent OPT takes longer. This adds another layer of bureaucracy and uncertainty, and the $100,000 fee proposal can be seen as another step in the same restrictive direction.
