US proposes steep OPT fees for international F-1 visa students

The United States Department of Homeland Security has proposed significant new fees for Optional Practical Training (OPT), the work authorization program widely utilized by international students on F-1 visas seeking employment experience in America. Under the proposed structure, first-time applicants would face a $70,000 fee, while those seeking to extend their OPT status would pay $30,000, according to official announcements.

The move has drawn considerable attention from India's student and professional communities, given the substantial number of Indian nationals who pursue higher education in the United States and subsequently rely on OPT to gain practical work experience. The hefty fee structure represents a dramatic increase from current practices and could significantly impact decisions by international students regarding their post-graduation plans in America.

DHS officials have addressed criticism by clarifying that the fee structure was not intended as a backdoor mechanism to discourage international student employment. The department framed the initiative as part of regular administrative and operational cost assessments related to the OPT program's management and oversight functions.

The proposal remains subject to public comment periods and regulatory review processes before finalization. International education stakeholders and visa-dependent communities have begun mobilizing to provide feedback on the proposed changes, with many questioning the financial burden's implications for student recruitment and workforce participation.