The Trump administration has proposed a substantial new fee for international students seeking work experience through the United States’ Optional Practical Training programme, known as OPT.
The proposal, released on 7 October, would require approved educational institutions to pay $70,000 before recommending an eligible F-1 student for OPT under the new arrangements.
It is a proposed rule, not a fee currently in force. The Federal Register notice is scheduled for publication on 8 October. (federalregister.gov)
Who would pay?
The proposed payment obligation would fall on schools. However, that does not mean students would be protected from the cost.
Immigration law firm Fragomen explains that institutions could recover the money from students or employers.
The proposal also includes a $30,000 charge for subsequent OPT recommendations after the initial $70,000 fee has been paid. It would therefore be misleading to describe the plan simply as a new visa application fee that every international student must immediately pay. (fragomen.com)
What OPT allows
OPT gives eligible international students temporary permission to work in a role directly related to their main subject of study.
It can take place during studies or after graduation. Eligible students can generally receive up to 12 months of OPT, while qualifying science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates may obtain an additional 24-month extension.
A school recommendation and a separate application for employment authorisation are required. Studying at a US university does not automatically provide permission to work after graduation. (iaproject.org)
When could the changes begin?
The official draft provides a 30-day public comment period on the proposed rule. A separate information-collection section has a 60-day comment period.
DHS proposes implementing 60 days after publication of a final rule, rather than 60 days after this proposal.
Previously approved OPT, or recommendations issued before the eventual effective date, would not attract the fee for that period. However, a later recommendation could trigger the new charges. The timing of the recommendation would matter, including for students seeking a STEM extension. (public-inspection.federalregister.gov)
Why the administration wants it
DHS says the fees would help address fraud, strengthen oversight, and protect American workers.
Education organizations dispute the approach. The Associated Press reported that NAFSA chief executive Fanta Aw warned that discouraging international students would harm American innovation and workforce development.
These are competing assessments of the proposal. Its eventual effects remain uncertain. (ksat.com)
Why it matters to Africa and the diaspora
For African applicants considering US education, the proposal creates uncertainty around the cost of gaining work experience after studying.
If institutions pass the fee on, students and diaspora relatives supporting their education could face a substantial additional expense. Schools that cannot fund the charge might also become more selective about whom they recommend. These are potential consequences, not outcomes already established.
Applicants should ask universities how they would respond if the rule becomes final. Families should distinguish tuition, living costs, and existing application fees from this proposed charge before committing money.
The proposal does not establish an Africa-specific restriction. Its relevance is to eligible African students using the same F-1 and OPT arrangements as other international applicants.
Trivane View
The U.S. government has a duty to tackle fraud. But a $70,000 fee could put work experience out of reach for capable students who cannot afford it.
The government should explain how this fee would reduce fraud while protecting students who follow the rules.
