DHS proposes $70,000 fee on colleges for international student work program

The Department of Homeland Security has proposed charging colleges $70,000 for each international student they recommend for Optional Practical Training, the program that lets foreign students work in the U.S. in their field during or after their studies. Each later recommendation for the same student would cost another $30,000, according to Higher Ed Dive.

The proposal is not in effect. It opens a public comment period first, and DHS must review the comments before it can issue a final rule.

## What OPT is

OPT lets students on F-1 visas work in their field of study for up to 12 months after finishing a program, or up to three years for eligible STEM graduates, according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

About 294,000 international students were in OPT in the 2024-25 academic year, more than double the roughly 120,000 a decade earlier, Higher Ed Dive reported, citing Institute of International Education data.

## What would change

Today, a school's recommendation for OPT carries no fee, according to Higher Ed Dive. A separate form in the process carries a filing fee of roughly $470 to $520, according to the law firm Fragomen as cited by the outlet.

Under the proposal, schools would have to pay before entering the recommendation students need to apply. NAFSA says the $70,000 fee would apply to the first recommendation for any type of OPT, and $30,000 to each later one. A student who uses a STEM extension could cost a school up to $100,000, Higher Ed Dive reported.

The rule does not bill students directly. But Higher Ed Dive reported that colleges could try to pass the cost on to international students, to all students, or to employers. Refunds would be possible only if a student never receives work authorization, decided case by case with no appeal.

If finalized, the fees would take effect 60 days after the final rule is published.

## The administration's case

DHS says the fees are needed to curb fraud and abuse in the program and to make schools more selective about who they recommend, according to Higher Ed Dive. The department also argues OPT has been used to get around the H-1B visa system and says the change is needed to "protect American workers."

DHS warned in the proposal that without the new fees, it may have to shut down OPT entirely, Higher Ed Dive reported.

## The critics' case

NAFSA, the main association of international education professionals, opposes the plan. Its executive director and CEO, Fanta Aw, said the fee structure "creates deep uncertainty for international students" and that "international students don't take opportunities from Americans, they create them." NAFSA says it will help members submit detailed comments.

Higher Ed Dive noted that a 2025 survey of 828 institutions found 92% of college leaders said international students would likely choose other countries if OPT were not available. The outlet also noted that a separate $100,000 H-1B petition fee proposed last year was struck down in court in June.

## What it means for you

If you are an international student, nothing changes yet. According to the Lynnwood Times' reading of the proposed rule, existing approvals would not be billed, and the fees would apply only to recommendations made after a final rule takes effect.

If you are a U.S. student, the proposal could still matter. Higher Ed Dive reported that some colleges might spread the cost across all students.

## What happens next

The public can submit comments during a 30-day window that began with the rule's publication in the Federal Register. After that, DHS must consider every comment before deciding whether to finalize, change or drop the proposal.