Why OPT Is a Critical Bridge
Optional Practical Training, or OPT, is a crucial program that allows international students on F-1 visas to work in the United States for up to 12 months after graduation in a job related to their field of study. For those in Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Mathematics (STEM), this can be extended by an additional 24 months. For tens of thousands of Indian graduates, OPT is not just a work permit; it is the essential bridge between an American education and a long-term career. It provides the real-world experience necessary to secure sponsorship for an H-1B work visa, the primary route for skilled professionals to work in the US. Without OPT, most students would have to leave the country immediately after their studies, making the return on their significant educational investment much harder to achieve.
The $100,000 Figure: Fee, Not Salary
Recent headlines have centered on a '$100,000 OPT proposal'. It's important to clarify that this discussion is about a potential $100,000 fee to participate in the OPT program, not a minimum salary requirement. According to reports from mid-2026, the Trump administration is considering this fee as a way to deter international students from working in the US after graduation. This idea seems to have emerged after a similar $100,000 fee was imposed on certain H-1B visa petitions in September 2025. However, for OPT, this remains a proposal. A White House official acknowledged the idea was being considered but confirmed no imminent policy change was planned.
Current Status: An Idea, Not a Law
As of August 2026, the $100,000 OPT fee is just a proposal being floated; it is not a formal rule or a law. Immigration experts have raised serious questions about whether such a fee could be legally implemented by the administration without an act of Congress, with some arguing it would function as an unconstitutional tax. For now, students applying for OPT are not subject to any such fee. While the proposal has created significant uncertainty, it is crucial to understand that it has not translated into actual policy. The process and costs for applying for OPT remain unchanged in this regard.
The Real Change: End of 'Duration of Status'
While the $100,000 proposal remains speculative, a different and very real change is affecting F-1 students. Effective September 15, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is eliminating the long-standing 'Duration of Status' (D/S) notation on student visas. Previously, D/S allowed students to remain in the US as long as they maintained their student status. The new rule replaces this with a fixed 'Admit Until Date' on their I-94 arrival record, typically tied to their program's end date (up to a maximum of four years). This means students needing more time for their studies or to apply for OPT will now have to proactively file for an Extension of Stay (EOS) with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), adding a significant new administrative step to the process.
What This Means for Students and Employers
The combination of proposed threats and concrete rule changes creates a challenging landscape. For Indian students, the new fixed end-date rule means increased vigilance and more paperwork. Staying beyond your I-94 date without a pending extension can have severe consequences, so tracking dates and filing for extensions in a timely manner is now more critical than ever. For employers, the OPT program remains a vital pipeline for talent, especially as other measures, like the $100,000 fee for new H-1B workers hired from abroad, make international recruitment more expensive. The increased administrative burden on students could, however, create delays and complications in the transition from student to employee. Both students and employers must now navigate a more complex and bureaucratically demanding system.
