The Trump administration is considering imposing a $100,000 fee on Optional Practical Training (OPT) visas, a move that could significantly impact international students seeking to work in the United States after graduating from American universities, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The proposal comes after a U.S. court struck down an earlier plan to levy a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas.
According to the report, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is weighing the high fee on OPT, which allows international students on F-1 visas to work in the U.S. for one to three years in jobs directly related to their field of study after graduation.
Around 419,000 foreign graduates were working under the OPT programme in 2024, the latest year for which data is available.
Tech companies, which recruit a significant number of graduates from U.S. universities, had opposed the proposed $100,000 fee on H-1B visas.
Responding to the report, a DHS spokesperson said, "No policies should be considered final until formally announced. At DHS, we are always having conversations about how to use all tools in our arsenal to protect the integrity of our legal immigration system."
In addition to the proposed OPT fee, officials at the State Department are also considering requiring applicants for green cards outside the U.S. to pay a $100,000 bond, redeemable only after they relocate to the U.S. and become American citizens.
The OPT programme has long been one of the biggest attractions for international students choosing to study in the U.S. Without it, most graduates would have to leave the country immediately after completing their studies, taking their skills to other global markets.
US tightens visa rules
The development comes as the U.S. has tightened visa regulations for foreign students, exchange visitors and journalists, ending a decades-old policy that allowed them to remain in the country indefinitely without periodic government oversight.
Under the new rules announced by the DHS earlier this month, non-immigrant visa holders in the F (students), J (exchange visitors) and I (journalists) categories will now be admitted for a fixed period instead of the earlier "duration of status" system.
Students and exchange visitors will be admitted for the duration of their academic programme, but for no longer than four years. Those requiring additional time must apply for an Extension of Stay through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which will include biometric screening, background checks and fraud assessments.
The rules also reduce the grace period for F-1 visa holders after graduation or a change in status from 60 days to 30 days.
For journalists, I-category visas will now be capped at 240 days, while Chinese nationals will be limited to 90 days.
Announcing the changes, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the new rules are aimed at preventing abuse of the immigration system.
"For decades, foreign students have been admitted into the U.S. indefinitely, allowing thousands to abuse our immigration system by perpetually enrolling in courses to avoid having to leave the U.S.," Mullin said.
He added that imposing fixed time limits would allow authorities to better screen, vet and monitor foreign nationals while ensuring students remain focused on completing their studies before returning home.
The DHS said the changes are intended to restore integrity to the immigration system, curb visa abuse and strengthen national security through regular vetting.
According to the Open Doors 2025 report, 363,019 Indian students were enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities during the 2024-25 academic year, accounting for nearly 31 per cent of all international students in the country.
Current F, J and I visa holders already residing in the U.S. under the previous "duration of status" framework will automatically transition to the new system, with their authorised stay capped at a maximum of four years from the rule's effective date.
