The Donald Trump administration is considering a steep $100,000 fee for international students who want to work in the United States after graduating from American universities, a move that could significantly alter the appeal of the country as a destination for higher education.
The proposal, reported by The Wall Street Journal, is still under discussion and has not been finalised. A White House official said there was no imminent policy change, while not denying that the administration was examining the idea. The details, including who would ultimately be responsible for paying the proposed fee, are not yet clear.
If implemented, the measure would affect foreign students seeking to use the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme. OPT allows eligible international students on F-1 visas to gain practical work experience in the US after completing their studies. Students can generally receive up to 12 months of post-completion OPT, while graduates in qualifying science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields can receive an additional 24-month STEM extension.
For many international students, particularly those pursuing technology, engineering, finance and other specialised degrees, OPT is an important bridge between an American university degree and longer-term employment in the country.
The proposed $100,000 charge would therefore represent a major financial barrier. It could force students and their families to rethink whether studying in the US is financially viable, especially when tuition, accommodation, health insurance and other education-related expenses are already substantial.
The possible move comes amid a broader tightening of US immigration policies under Trump. The administration has increasingly focused on reducing legal as well as illegal immigration and has introduced or considered measures aimed at making it more difficult or expensive for foreign nationals to study and work in America.
The latest proposal also follows the administration’s earlier attempt to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications. That measure has faced legal challenges, and a US appeals court recently declined to revive the fee while litigation continues. A lower court had found that the administration lacked the authority to impose the charge without congressional approval.
The H-1B programme is widely used by US technology companies and other employers to hire highly skilled foreign workers. The OPT programme, meanwhile, is often the first step for international graduates seeking to build a career in the US before potentially moving to an H-1B visa.
That connection makes the proposed OPT fee particularly significant. Students who once viewed the US education system as a pathway to both a degree and professional experience may now have to consider the uncertainty surrounding their ability to remain and work after graduation.
The impact could be especially noticeable among students from India and China, two of the largest sources of international students in the United States. Indian students have traditionally had a strong presence in US STEM programmes and many rely on OPT before seeking employer sponsorship for an H-1B visa.
A $100,000 payment would be difficult for many graduates to absorb at the beginning of their careers. It could also change how universities compete for international students, particularly at institutions that depend significantly on overseas enrolments.
American universities and businesses have long benefited from international students. Foreign graduates contribute to research, technology, healthcare, finance and other sectors, while employers gain access to a large pool of highly trained workers. A sharp decline in international enrolment could therefore have consequences beyond immigration.
Critics of OPT, however, argue that the programme can allow companies to employ foreign graduates under conditions that may give them an advantage over US workers. The Trump administration has been examining ways to tighten the programme and impose stronger restrictions on employment-based immigration.
The proposed fee would also add another layer of uncertainty for students already facing changes to US student visa rules. The administration has been reviewing the duration and conditions attached to student visas, while universities and international applicants have been closely watching developments around immigration enforcement and visa approvals.
For prospective students, the key point is that the $100,000 OPT fee is not yet a final US immigration rule. It remains a proposal under consideration, and the administration could modify, delay or abandon it.
Still, the discussion itself is likely to influence decisions among students planning to study in America. For families comparing destinations such as the US, Canada, Britain and Australia, the possibility of an unusually high post-study work charge could become an important factor.
