The administration of US President Donald Trump has proposed a $70,000 fee for schools recommending international students for temporary work authorisation under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme.
The proposed rule, announced by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), would require educational institutions to pay $70,000 for each student’s initial OPT application and $30,000 for each subsequent application or extension.
If approved, the proposal could affect Nigerian and other international students hoping to gain professional experience in the United States after completing their studies.
However, the proposal has not yet become law, and the public will have 60 days to submit comments before the department decides whether to finalise it.
What Is OPT?
Optional Practical Training is a temporary employment programme that allows eligible international students holding F-1 visas to work in the United States in jobs related to their fields of study.
Most eligible graduates can work for up to 12 months after completing their studies, while graduates in qualifying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields may receive an additional 24 months, bringing their total eligibility to three years.
The programme provides graduates with opportunities to gain practical experience and allows employers to recruit international talent in specialised fields.
DHS Says Proposal Targets Fraud
The Department of Homeland Security said the proposed fees are intended to address fraud and abuse, strengthen the integrity of the immigration system and protect American workers.
The department described OPT as a “pipeline for cheap foreign labor,” arguing that the programme should not be used to provide employers with access to lower-cost foreign workers at the expense of US citizens.
Read also: Olu of Warri Challenges Dokubo Over ₦2.7tn Pipeline Claim
The proposal is part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to tighten immigration rules and increase scrutiny of international students and foreign workers.
Education Groups Warn Of Economic Consequences
The proposal has drawn criticism from organisations representing international education, with concerns that the substantial fees could discourage institutions from recommending international graduates for employment.
Fanta Aw, chief executive officer of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, said OPT helps international graduates gain practical experience while supporting employers facing labour shortages, particularly in STEM industries.
“Driving away the talents, perspectives, and aspirations of international students will only hurt American innovation, economic growth, workforce development, and global leadership,” Aw said.
US colleges and universities also recruit international students as an important source of tuition revenue, while several industries depend on international graduates to fill specialised positions.
Legal Challenges Possible
Doug Rand, a former senior adviser at US Citizenship and Immigration Services, predicted that the proposed fee could face legal challenges.
Rand compared the proposal with the Trump administration’s $100,000 fee for certain H-1B work visa petitions, which has also attracted legal scrutiny.
“When we educate international students at our universities, and they want to work and apply their talents here after graduating, of course we should embrace them — not use an exorbitant fee as a pretext to send them packing,” Rand said.
Higher education organisations and business groups could challenge the OPT proposal if it is finalised.
Proposal Could Affect International Students
The proposed fees could influence how universities assess international students’ post-graduation employment opportunities, particularly if institutions are reluctant or unable to absorb the additional costs.
Although the proposed rule places the payment obligation on schools, institutions could reconsider their participation in the programme or how they manage the associated costs.
For Nigerian students considering studying in the United States, the proposal is another development to monitor when weighing tuition costs, post-study employment opportunities and longer-term career plans.
The final impact will depend on whether DHS adopts the proposal and how universities, employers and the courts respond.
