What Exactly Is the Proposal?
Recent reports, first appearing in The Wall Street Journal, indicate that the Trump administration is considering a radical change to the OPT program: requiring a $100,000 fee for participation. This would apply to F-1 international students who wish
to work in the US for one to three years after graduation to gain practical experience in their field of study. Details remain unsettled, including whether the fee would be paid by the student, their university, or their employer. It is crucial to understand that, as of August 2026, this is an idea being discussed within the Department of Homeland Security; it is not a formal rule or law. Officials have stated that no policy should be considered final until it is formally announced.
Why Is OPT So Important for Indian Students?
Optional Practical Training is the primary bridge between a US education and a US career for international graduates. It allows them to work for 12 months in a job related to their major. For those with degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), this can be extended by an additional 24 months, for a total of three years of work authorisation. For the hundreds of thousands of Indian students in the US, who make up nearly half of all OPT participants, this program is indispensable. It provides invaluable real-world experience, a chance to earn back some of their significant investment in education, and a pathway to a potential H-1B work visa sponsorship from an employer. Studies have shown that the availability of OPT is a major factor for students choosing to study in the US.
Where Is This Idea Coming From?
This proposal aligns with a broader push by groups that favor stricter immigration controls. These organisations argue that programs like OPT subvert congressional limits on work visas and can negatively affect wages for American workers. The idea of using high fees to restrict immigration is not new for the current administration. In 2025, it imposed a $100,000 fee for some H-1B visa petitions, although that measure has faced legal challenges. The OPT fee proposal is seen as another tool to deter international students from entering the US workforce post-graduation.
What Would Be the Impact?
The impact of a $100,000 fee would be immediate and dramatic. Critics, including universities, economists, and business leaders, argue it would make the OPT program financially impossible for the vast majority of graduates. This could effectively dismantle the largest pipeline for foreign STEM talent into the US economy. Experts warn this would not only discourage brilliant minds from studying in the US but also harm American innovation and competitiveness, potentially driving that talent to other countries. The impact would be felt most acutely by students in non-STEM fields or those seeking jobs outside of high-paying tech hubs, where starting salaries would never justify such a fee.
Is This Proposal Likely to Become Law?
Currently, the proposal is just that—a proposal. It has not been formally introduced as a rule. If the administration decides to move forward, it would have to go through a lengthy federal rulemaking process, which includes a period for public comment. Any such rule would almost certainly face immediate and strong legal challenges from universities, business groups, and immigration advocates, much like the H-1B fee did. Furthermore, there is bipartisan support in Congress to protect the program. A bill called the “Keep Innovators in America Act” was introduced in March 2026 to formally codify OPT into law, which would protect it from being easily dismantled by administrative changes. The future of the proposal is highly uncertain and depends on political developments and the outcome of potential legal battles.
