Persons familiar told media the Trump administration is considering a $100,000
fee for international graduates who seek to remain in the United States under
Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT allows international university graduates
to work in the US for one to three years on a student visa; the Institute of
International Education reported about 300,000 students were on OPT last fall,
roughly 25% of foreign students in the US. If enacted, the fee would likely
curtail demand for US study and materially affect US universities, Silicon
Valley hiring and Wall Street talent pipelines. The proposal mirrors an earlier
administration objective to impose a $100,000 charge on H‑1B visas. The
Department of Homeland Security said the policy is under internal discussion, is
not final, and it is unclear whether it has White House approval or whether the
fee would be paid by students or employers.
