The Trump administration has proposed a $70,000 fee for US universities and other approved institutions that recommend international students for temporary work in the country.
The proposal, announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), targets the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows foreign students on F-1 visas to gain work experience related to their studies while in the US or after graduation.
Under the proposed rules, institutions would pay $70,000 for a student’s initial participation in OPT, followed by a $30,000 fee for subsequent recommendations, including extensions. (Federal Register Public Inspection)
The OPT programme generally allows eligible international students to work for up to one year after completing their studies.
Students who graduate in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields can qualify for an additional two years of work authorisation.
DHS said the proposed fees were intended to combat fraud, strengthen the integrity of the immigration system and protect American workers.
The department has also criticised OPT as a potential source of cheap foreign labour.
However, the proposal has drawn concern from higher education organisations, which say the cost could discourage universities from recommending international students for the programme and make the US less attractive to overseas students.
International students are an important source of tuition revenue for many US universities, while industries including technology rely on OPT to recruit graduates with specialist skills. (Washington Post)
Fanta Aw, chief executive of NAFSA, an association representing international education, said restricting the programme could affect US innovation and workforce development.
The proposed fee would represent a dramatic increase from existing OPT-related charges. Reuters reports that the current government fee is roughly $500. (Reuters)
The proposal is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to tighten rules governing international students and foreign workers.
It remains a proposal and is not currently in force. The public will have an opportunity to submit comments before DHS decides whether to finalise the rule, and legal challenges are expected if it is implemented. (Washington Post)
If introduced, the measure could significantly reshape the route through which thousands of international graduates gain temporary work experience in the United States.
