What is the Proposed $100,000 Charge?
Recent reports indicate the US administration is considering a significant fee, potentially as high as $100,000, for international students to participate in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. This is not a finalised policy but a proposal
being discussed within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It follows earlier, legally blocked attempts to impose a similar fee on H-1B work visas. The details remain unclear, including who would be responsible for the payment — the student, their employer, or the university. However, the sheer size of the potential fee has sent ripples of concern through the international education community, particularly among prospective students from India.
Why OPT is Crucial for Indian Students
Optional Practical Training, or OPT, is not just an optional add-on; for many, it is an essential part of studying in the US. This program allows international graduates to work for one to three years in a job related to their field of study. For Indian students who often take out substantial education loans—sometimes between $100,000 and $200,000—the OPT period is critical. It provides the first real opportunity to gain valuable US work experience and, most importantly, begin earning a salary to start repaying their significant debt. The prospect of earning in dollars to pay off a loan taken in rupees is a core component of the return-on-investment calculation that convinces families and banks to make the initial leap of faith.
The Direct Threat to Education Loans
A $100,000 charge would fundamentally break the financial model for countless Indian students. Many families already stretch their finances to the limit, often putting up their homes as collateral to secure loans. The ability to repay is predicated on the student securing a job through OPT. If access to OPT requires an additional six-figure payment, the risk for both the borrower and the lender skyrockets. Lenders in India, who already view US-bound students with increasing caution due to shifting immigration policies, may become even more hesitant to approve loans. A proposal like this could shrink the pool of eligible loan applicants, as lenders tighten criteria, favouring only those with impeccable academic profiles and admission to top-tier universities.
A Climate of Mounting Uncertainty
This proposal doesn't exist in a vacuum. It comes alongside other recent changes that create a more challenging environment for international students. In July 2026, the DHS finalised a rule to end the long-standing “duration of status” policy, which allowed students to stay for as long as their program required. Instead, most students will be admitted for a fixed period of up to four years, requiring a formal, and potentially complex, Extension of Stay application if more time is needed for their studies or OPT. The grace period to remain in the US after a program ends has also been cut from 60 days to 30. These moves, combined with the spectre of a massive OPT fee, contribute to a sense of instability that makes long-term planning difficult for students and their families.
What Should Aspiring Students Do?
While the $100,000 fee is still a proposal and not a law, its discussion alone is a significant risk factor that must be considered. Prospective students and their families should build this uncertainty into their financial planning. Experts suggest that students are already becoming more cautious, exploring backup options in other countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia, which may offer more stable post-study work pathways. Loan providers are also factoring in these perceived immigration risks when evaluating applications. Staying informed on official policy announcements from the DHS, rather than reacting to headlines alone, is crucial. This development underscores the need for robust financial planning that accounts for potential policy shifts and does not solely rely on the best-case scenario of post-graduation employment in the US.
