International Students Might Face A $100,000 Fee To Work Post-Graduation

ARCFE U.S.
Aug 3
4 min read

The Trump Administration is reportedly considering a proposal that would impose a $100,000 fee on international students seeking to participate in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program after graduating from a U.S. university. If implemented, the proposal could significantly increase the cost of obtaining post-graduation work authorization. The proposal remains under review at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and no final decision has been announced.

This comes amid a broader series of recent immigration policy changes affecting international students and H-1B workers. Over the past year, the administration has introduced or proposed several measures that increase compliance requirements, tighten eligibility standards, and raise the cost of maintaining or adjusting immigration status.

What Is OPT?

Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows eligible F-1 international students to work in the U.S. in a position related to their field of study after completing their academic program. Depending on the degree earned, graduates may receive 12 months of OPT, with certain STEM graduates eligible for an additional 24-month extension, allowing up to three years of work authorization. According to the latest available government data, approximately 419,000 international graduates were employed under the OPT program in 2024.

Another Change Affecting International Students

If adopted, the reported proposal would require a $100,000 payment in connection with participation in the OPT program. At this stage, it remains unclear:

Whether the fee would ultimately be approved by the White House;
Whether it would be paid by the student, the employer, or the educational institution; and
How the fee would be structured or administered.

The proposal follows several recent changes affecting F-1 students. Most notably, DHS recently finalized regulations ending the longstanding Duration of Status (D/S) policy for F-1 and J-1 visa holders. Under the new framework, students are now admitted for a fixed period of stay (or a maximum of 4 years) and may need to apply for extensions to maintain lawful status if additional time is needed to complete their studies or authorized employment.

Read Article: DHS Ends Duration of Status

What Does This Mean For International Students?

While the proposed OPT fee has not been finalized, it reflects a broader trend of increasing uncertainty surrounding traditional employment-based pathways for international students like EB-2 or EB-3. Combined with recent changes to the D/S policy and evolving H-1B regulations, many students are re-evaluating their long-term immigration strategies earlier than ever before.

For those who are already in the U.S. and are eligible, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program has become an option worth considering. Since the enactment of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (EB-5 RIA), eligible applicants who are lawfully present in the U.S. may be able to file their Form I-526E and Form I-485 adjustment of status (AOS) concurrently as long as the visa numbers are available.

One of the most significant benefits of concurrent filing is the ability to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Advance Parole (AP) travel document while the I-526E and I-485 are pending. For international students, this work authorization differs in several important ways from OPT. An EAD issued through a pending AOS petition is not tied to a specific field of study and provides unrestricted employment authorization. This allows individuals to work for virtually any employer, change jobs without requiring sponsorship or the company being e-verified, pursue self-employment, or even start a business while their green card application is being processed.

Additionally, unlike OPT, which limits the number of days a graduate may remain unemployed, an AOS-based EAD carries no unemployment-day requirement. This means applicants can take the time to find the right opportunity without worrying that a gap in employment could jeopardize their work authorization.

For international students concerned about increasing uncertainty surrounding the F-1 program and H-1B pathways, concurrent filing may offer greater flexibility and stability while pursuing permanent residency. Eligibility depends on each individual’s immigration status and circumstances, prospective applicants should consult with an experienced immigration attorney to determine whether this option is feasible for their specific situation.

Looking Ahead

While the proposed OPT has not been finalized, it reflects a broader trend of increasing uncertainty surrounding traditional pathways such as F-1 and H-1B. As immigration policies continue to evolve, many international students are exploring more permanent solutions earlier in their journey. For eligible individuals already in the U.S., the EB-5 program - with benefits of concurrent filing - may offer greater flexibility and a simpler path toward permanent residency.

Why Thousands Are Choosing EB-5?

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