First, What Is Optional Practical Training?
Optional Practical Training, or OPT, is a long-standing program that allows international students on F-1 visas to gain temporary work experience directly related to their major area of study. Eligible graduates can work for up to 12 months, with an additional
24-month extension available for those in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. For many, especially the nearly 360,000 Indian students in the US, OPT is not just a job opportunity; it is a crucial bridge between their American education and a global career, often serving as a pathway to longer-term work visas like the H-1B. It allows them to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting, earn an income to offset substantial tuition costs, and become more competitive in the job market.
The $100,000 Question: Fee or Phantom?
In late July and early August 2026, reports emerged that the Trump administration was considering a staggering $100,000 fee for students seeking to use the OPT program. According to publications like The Wall Street Journal, the idea was under internal discussion at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). However, it is crucial to understand that this is not a formal policy, a proposed rule, or an implemented fee. As of now, no student is required to pay this amount. Details about the proposal remain scarce, including whether the cost would fall on the student, their employer, or the university. A DHS spokesperson noted that no policy should be considered final until it is formally announced, without confirming or denying the specifics of the discussion.
Why Propose Such a High Cost?
The reported proposal is seen as part of a broader strategy to increase the financial barriers within the legal immigration system. Supporters of stricter immigration rules argue that limiting programs like OPT is necessary to protect American jobs. The move mirrors a similar, though unsuccessful, attempt by the administration in September 2025 to impose a $100,000 fee on certain H-1B visas, which was later struck down by a federal judge as an unconstitutional tax. Any similar OPT fee would almost certainly face immediate and significant legal challenges on the grounds that such a large fee constitutes a tax that only Congress has the authority to create.
The Devastating Impact on Students
If implemented, a $100,000 fee would function as an effective ban on OPT for the vast majority of international graduates. Students, many of whom are already burdened by high tuition fees, would be unable to afford such a cost. Few employers would be willing to pay that sum for an employee on a temporary, 12-to-36-month training program. This could make US universities far less attractive compared to those in countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia, which offer more accessible post-study work opportunities. Business leaders and educators have warned that such a policy would be a disaster for American innovation, especially in critical fields like AI, where international graduates fill a significant talent gap. At US universities, international students make up 80% of full-time graduate students in computer sciences and 75% in electrical and computer engineering.
Navigating a Climate of Uncertainty
The discussion around the $100,000 fee adds to an already anxious environment for Indian students. It comes on the heels of another major rule change set to take effect on September 15, 2026, which eliminates the flexible “Duration of Status” (D/S) system. Previously, students could remain in the US as long as they maintained their academic status. The new rule replaces this with a fixed period of stay, typically capped at four years, requiring students in longer programs like PhDs to apply for formal extensions. This change, combined with a reduction of the post-graduation grace period from 60 to 30 days, creates more administrative hurdles and uncertainty for students planning their academic and professional futures.
