$100,000 OPT fees could shut international students out of post-study work, US universities warn

Detailed summary

A coalition representing nearly 600 colleges and universities has asked the Department of Homeland Security to withdraw proposed OPT fees of up to $100,000.

A coalition representing nearly 600 US colleges and universities has urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to withdraw its proposed fee structure for Optional Practical Training (OPT), warning that charges of up to $100,000 for initial training and a STEM extension could make the programme inaccessible to many international students.

The Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration submitted its objections in a comment letter responding to a DHS proposed rule published on October 8. Under the proposal, colleges and universities would have to pay $70,000 before recommending a student for initial OPT and another $30,000 for a subsequent recommendation, including a STEM OPT extension.

In its November 9 submission, the alliance called on DHS to withdraw the proposal in its entirety and keep the OPT programme intact. It argued that the department had not adequately justified the fee amounts or demonstrated how they would prevent fraud and protect American workers.

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The organisation said the proposed charges, along with additional administrative expenses, would force institutions to absorb substantial costs, seek contributions from students or employers, or limit the number of OPT recommendations.

Citing estimates in its submission, the alliance said OPT starts could decline by 79% if universities had to pay the full $100,000 for a student to access initial OPT and a STEM extension.

The letter also highlighted the potential financial impact on institutions. One college with fewer than 500 international students estimated that the fees could cost it approximately $5.4 million annually, exceeding its total net tuition revenue from F-1 students. Another public institution with around 6,000 international students estimated an average annual cost of more than $60 million.

The alliance argued that institutions' ability to pay should not determine whether…

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