What is Optional Practical Training?
Optional Practical Training, or OPT, is a program that allows international students on F-1 visas to work in the United States for up to 12 months after graduation. The employment must be directly related to their field of study, providing crucial hands-on
experience. For graduates with degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), the program can be extended by an additional 24 months, for a total of three years. This makes OPT a vital bridge between a US education and a career in the American workforce. It is often the first step for graduates hoping to eventually secure an H-1B work visa. For decades, it has been a cornerstone of America’s ability to retain the talent it educates.
A Six-Figure Price Tag on a Work Permit?
Recent reports indicate the Trump administration is considering a staggering $100,000 fee for the OPT program. While officials have noted that no policy is final until formally announced, the idea is reportedly under discussion within the Department of Homeland Security. This is not the first time such a figure has been floated; a similar $100,000 fee for H-1B visas was previously proposed but was blocked by federal courts. The new focus on OPT suggests a continued effort to use significant financial barriers to reshape legal immigration pathways. For the vast majority of international students and their prospective employers, a fee of this size would be prohibitive, effectively ending the program as a viable option.
The Impact on Indian Students and US Tech
The proposal would disproportionately affect students from India, who are the largest group of international students in the US and the most active participants in the OPT program. In the 2024-25 academic year, nearly 144,000 students from India participated in OPT. Indian nationals also account for nearly half of all participants in the STEM OPT extension, a critical talent pool for the US tech industry. Companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft rely heavily on OPT to hire top graduates from US universities. Research from the National Foundation for American Policy has shown that OPT workers do not take jobs from American workers; instead, their presence is associated with lower unemployment rates in STEM fields. Shutting this pipeline would force US companies to hire talent for their overseas offices, moving innovation and research outside the country.
A Self-Inflicted Economic Wound
Beyond the tech sector, the economic contributions of international students are massive. In the 2024-2025 academic year alone, they added nearly $43 billion to the US economy and supported over 355,000 jobs. For many students, the ability to work and earn after graduation is a key factor in justifying the high cost of a US education. By making post-study work nearly impossible, a $100,000 OPT fee would likely drive prospective students to other countries. Nations like Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia already offer more attractive and straightforward post-study work policies. The move could severely damage the appeal of American universities, hurting a major export sector and diminishing a key source of 'soft power' and global influence.
