Will Donald Trump’s Proposed USD 100,000 OPT Fee Hit Indian Students? Here’s What We Know

The Trump administration is reportedly considering a new USD 100,000 fee for international graduates seeking work authorisation in the United States under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, a move that could significantly raise the cost of the pathway many Indian students rely on to eventually secure an H-1B work visa. The proposal is being weighed by senior US officials, though the White House has not made any official announcement, according to a Wall Street Journal report cited by multiple outlets. If it goes through, the fee would translate to roughly Rs 95 lakh at current exchange rates.

What The Proposal Involves

Under the existing system, students on F-1 visas are allowed to work in the US after graduation while still on their student visa, and for STEM graduates this period can extend up to 36 months, giving them time to gain work experience before transitioning to an H-1B visa through an employer sponsor. Under the proposal being discussed, students would need to pay USD 100,000 simply to access this route. H-1B Visas Could Be Paused for 3 Years Under New US Bill; What It Means for Indians Professionals.

Officials backing the idea argue that OPT has been misused for visa fraud and overstays, while critics say the fee would end up blocking genuine students rather than curbing abuse.

Scale Of Impact

Around 419,000 foreign graduates were working in the US through OPT in 2024, making it one of the country's largest post-study work programmes. Nearly 300,000 international students were on OPT as of last fall, accounting for roughly a quarter of the foreign student population in the country. H-1B Visa News: New US Bill Proposes 3-Year Ban on Fresh H-1B Visas, May Impact Indian Professionals.

Indian nationals form the largest group of international students in the US, and OPT has long been viewed as the first practical step toward an H-1B visa.

Part Of A Wider Pattern

The reported OPT proposal follows another major change to the H-1B system introduced by the Trump administration earlier this year. In September 2025, the administration had already signed a proclamation raising the H-1B application fee to USD 100,000 annually, a move that applied only to new applicants and not to extensions, transfers or renewals for those already holding the visa.

What It Could Mean Going Forward

If implemented, industry watchers say the change could push more prospective students toward alternative destinations such as Canada, the UK, Australia and Germany, which offer comparatively easier post-study work pathways. For now, the proposal remains unofficial, and no formal regulation has been published.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 31, 2026 11:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).