How Much Is the New Fee?
DHS proposes charging $70,000 for the first time an F-1 student is recommended by their school to participate in OPT, and $30,000 for each subsequent OPT recommendation, including STEM OPT extensions. If a STEM student participates in a full OPT program (12 months initial + 24 months STEM extension), the total cost could reach $100,000.
The $70,000 fee applies to any F-1 student's first OPT application, whether pre-completion or post-completion OPT. The subsequent $30,000 fee applies to any other OPT recommendation for a student who has already participated in OPT and paid the initial fee, including STEM OPT extensions.
Who Pays?
Fees will be paid by schools accredited by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), not by employers. However, DHS states that schools "may pass on the financial burden of this fee to F-1 foreign students, all students, or employers."
This means that although the school is the official party responsible for payment, the cost could ultimately be transferred to students or hiring companies. International students need to prepare for the possibility that OPT costs could increase significantly.
DHS's Rationale
DHS states that the proposed fees are intended to reduce fraud and abuse in the OPT program, strengthen oversight, and protect U.S. workers. The agency also claims the move aims to curtail what it describes as the use of OPT as a source of cheap foreign labor.
This argument is problematic. Current OPT already requires companies to pay prevailing wage standards for the position — not "cheap labor." This $70,000 fee is essentially a financial barrier, not a measure to protect U.S. workers.
Caution Advised
This is a proposed rule, not a final regulation, and these fees are not currently in effect. The federal government is accepting public comment on the proposed regulatory changes until 9/11/2026.
However, if the proposed rule takes effect, it could effectively exclude international students from OPT participation, disrupt employers' ability to recruit STEM talent, and force many schools to reduce or eliminate their international student programs.
F-1 students currently studying in the United States should not panic — this rule is not yet in effect. However, if you plan to apply for OPT in the coming years, monitor the progress of this proposed rule. Should it be adopted, OPT costs will increase substantially, and some schools may decide no longer to recommend international students for OPT.
