DHS Proposes New $100,000 Fee on Foreign Grad Work Program (1)

Key Points:

• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes charging up to $100,000 for international graduates participating in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, including $70,000 for the initial 12-month work authorization and an additional $30,000 for a STEM extension.
• The rule aims to prioritize American workers by requiring foreign students to "justify their worth" to employers, with DHS describing the current OPT program as a "back door" into the U.S. workforce.
• This proposal follows previous attempts to impose six-figure fees on high-skilled foreign workers, including a $103,265 fee for new H-1B visa holders, which have faced legal challenges.
• Under the new rule, schools would be responsible for paying the OPT fees on behalf of students, contrasting with prior fees that employers were required to pay.
• OPT allows F-1 visa holders to work in their field for up to 12 months, with STEM graduates eligible for a 24-month extension; about 418,000 students used the program in 2024, making it a significant pathway for international graduates to enter the U.S. workforce.