The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) wants international students to pay a $70,000 fee to work in America under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme. That is the proposal on the table.
Schools would pay $70,000 for each student’s first OPT application. Renewals would cost $30,000 each. Nigerian students and other international students who depend on OPT for work experience after graduation could be hit hard.
OPT lets eligible foreign students take jobs tied to their field of study. Most get one year after graduation. Those in qualifying STEM fields can get two extra years.
DHS said the fee is meant to fight fraud and misuse. It called the programme a pipeline for cheap foreign labour. But higher education and business groups are worried. They say the fee could scare off international students and make it harder for US employers to find skilled workers, especially in STEM.
Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA, said OPT gives international students real experience while helping employers fill labour gaps.
“Driving away the talents, perspectives, and aspirations of international students will only hurt American innovation, economic growth, workforce development, and global leadership,” she said.
The public gets 60 days to comment on the proposed rule before DHS decides whether to make it final. Higher education and business groups could also take the matter to court.
