The Trump administration is reportedly considering a substantial $100,000 fee for foreign student graduates seeking work authorization under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program in the United States. The OPT program is a vital pathway for international graduates to gain practical work experience, often serving as a stepping stone towards securing H-1B visas and enhancing their earning potential.

The Trump administration is reportedly considering a substantial $100,000 fee for foreign student graduates seeking work authorization under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program in the United States. The OPT program is a vital pathway for international graduates to gain practical work experience, often serving as a stepping stone towards securing H-1B visas and enhancing their earning potential.

The Trump administration is reportedly considering a substantial $100,000 fee for foreign student graduates seeking work authorization under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program in the United States. The OPT program is a vital pathway for international graduates to gain practical work experience, often serving as a stepping stone towards securing H-1B visas and enhancing their earning potential.

The Donald Trump administration is reportedly considering imposing a $100,000 fee for foreign student graduates seeking work authorisation under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, leading to concerns about how it can affect Indian and other foreign students studying in the US. 

The OPT programme is of two types. The post-completion OPT scheme allows international students with an F1 visa to gain practical work experience upto 12 months in the major field of their study in the US after graduation. Pre-completion OPT allows a student who has not graduated, to work in the US after completing one academic year of full-time enrollment. However, the period of work completed before graduation will be deducted from the available time for post-completion OPT. 

For students studying in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields, there is an option to extend the period for another 24 months if all the requirements are met. 

According to a 2025 annual report on international students in the US by the Institute of International Education, India was the leading place of origin for students. Around 3,60,000 Indian students were present in the US in 2024-25. 

The impact is expected to be the biggest on STEM students, as they are eligible for a longer 36-month period of work. The study notes that of the 3,60,000 Indian students there, 43 per cent were in Computer Science, with nearly 23 per cent in Engineering. Overall, 57 per cent of international students chose STEM fields.

The proposed $100,000 fee may affect the Indian students, as the OPT programme can be the first step towards securing an employee sponsorship for an H-1B visa. It also allows them to earn a higher salary, which can partly help cover the high costs of studying abroad. 

For many students, employment opportunities are the main attraction to study abroad. Countries like Canada, Australia and the UK offer post-study work opportunities, which would make universities in the US less competitive.

“I chose to study abroad because of better employment opportunities. If the country did not allow me to work, at least for a short while, after graduating, I wouldn’t choose to study there,” said an Indian postgraduate student studying in Australia, who did not wish to be named. 

Further details regarding the fee are awaited, such as whether the students, the university or employers are supposed to pay. The fee is not yet a policy and is still under consideration. 

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