Explained: What is OPT, who will be affected by the proposed $100,000 US work fee?
The proposed fee would apply to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows international graduates to work in the US for up to three years after completing their studies.
OPT, or Optional Practical Training, is a work authorisation available to international students studying in the US on an F-1 student visa. It allows eligible graduates to gain practical work experience related to their field of study after completing their degree.
For years, OPT has been one of the biggest attractions of studying in the United States, giving graduates an opportunity to earn a US salary, gain industry experience and improve their chances of securing longer-term work visas such as the H-1B.
After reports that the Trump administration is considering imposing a $100,000 fee on international students seeking post-study work authorisation in the US, many prospective students are wondering what OPT actually is and who would be affected if the proposal becomes policy.
WHAT IS OPT?
OPT is not a visa. It is a temporary employment authorisation granted to students on an F-1 visa.
Eligible international students can generally work in the US for:
- Up to 12 months after completing a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree.
- Students graduating from eligible STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programmes can apply for an additional 24-month STEM OPT extension, allowing them to work for a total of 36 months.
- The employment must be directly related to the student's field of study.
WHO WOULD BE AFFECTED?
If the proposed fee is implemented, it would primarily affect:
- International students graduating from US universities on F-1 visas.
- Students planning to apply for post-study work authorisation under OPT.
- STEM graduates seeking the longer 36-month work period.
Indian students are likely to be among the worst affected. India is now the largest source of international students in the US. Many of them study STEM courses, which make them eligible for a 24-month OPT extension after graduation.
For many Indian students, the chance to work in the US after completing their degree is a major reason to choose an American university. A sharp increase in the OPT fee could make studying in the US more expensive and influence future enrolment decisions.
WHY IS OPT SO IMPORTANT?
For many international students, OPT serves as a bridge between university and long-term employment.
It allows graduates to:
- Gain US work experience.
- Recover part of the high cost of studying abroad.
- Build professional networks.
- Improve their chances of obtaining employer sponsorship for an H-1B visa.
Many technology, engineering, finance and research employers recruit international graduates through OPT before deciding whether to sponsor them for longer-term employment.
WHY IS THE PROPOSED FEE CAUSING CONCERN?
According to a Wall Street Journal report, the Trump administration is considering a $100,000 fee for graduates seeking to work through OPT as part of a broader overhaul of student visa rules. The proposal has not yet been finalised, and it remains unclear who would ultimately pay the fee—students, employers or universities.
If implemented, the measure could significantly reduce the attractiveness of US higher education for international students, especially those relying on post-study employment to offset tuition costs.
However, the fee is not in effect. The proposal is still under consideration and has not been officially announced or implemented. Details, including eligibility, exemptions and the timeline, remain unclear.
OPT, or Optional Practical Training, is a work authorisation available to international students studying in the US on an F-1 student visa. It allows eligible graduates to gain practical work experience related to their field of study after completing their degree.
For years, OPT has been one of the biggest attractions of studying in the United States, giving graduates an opportunity to earn a US salary, gain industry experience and improve their chances of securing longer-term work visas such as the H-1B.
After reports that the Trump administration is considering imposing a $100,000 fee on international students seeking post-study work authorisation in the US, many prospective students are wondering what OPT actually is and who would be affected if the proposal becomes policy.
WHAT IS OPT?
OPT is not a visa. It is a temporary employment authorisation granted to students on an F-1 visa.
Eligible international students can generally work in the US for:
- Up to 12 months after completing a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree.
- Students graduating from eligible STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programmes can apply for an additional 24-month STEM OPT extension, allowing them to work for a total of 36 months.
- The employment must be directly related to the student's field of study.
WHO WOULD BE AFFECTED?
If the proposed fee is implemented, it would primarily affect:
- International students graduating from US universities on F-1 visas.
- Students planning to apply for post-study work authorisation under OPT.
- STEM graduates seeking the longer 36-month work period.
Indian students are likely to be among the worst affected. India is now the largest source of international students in the US. Many of them study STEM courses, which make them eligible for a 24-month OPT extension after graduation.
For many Indian students, the chance to work in the US after completing their degree is a major reason to choose an American university. A sharp increase in the OPT fee could make studying in the US more expensive and influence future enrolment decisions.
WHY IS OPT SO IMPORTANT?
For many international students, OPT serves as a bridge between university and long-term employment.
It allows graduates to:
- Gain US work experience.
- Recover part of the high cost of studying abroad.
- Build professional networks.
- Improve their chances of obtaining employer sponsorship for an H-1B visa.
Many technology, engineering, finance and research employers recruit international graduates through OPT before deciding whether to sponsor them for longer-term employment.
WHY IS THE PROPOSED FEE CAUSING CONCERN?
According to a Wall Street Journal report, the Trump administration is considering a $100,000 fee for graduates seeking to work through OPT as part of a broader overhaul of student visa rules. The proposal has not yet been finalised, and it remains unclear who would ultimately pay the fee—students, employers or universities.
If implemented, the measure could significantly reduce the attractiveness of US higher education for international students, especially those relying on post-study employment to offset tuition costs.
However, the fee is not in effect. The proposal is still under consideration and has not been officially announced or implemented. Details, including eligibility, exemptions and the timeline, remain unclear.
OPT, or Optional Practical Training, is a work authorisation available to international students studying in the US on an F-1 student visa. It allows eligible graduates to gain practical work experience related to their field of study after completing their degree.
For years, OPT has been one of the biggest attractions of studying in the United States, giving graduates an opportunity to earn a US salary, gain industry experience and improve their chances of securing longer-term work visas such as the H-1B.
After reports that the Trump administration is considering imposing a $100,000 fee on international students seeking post-study work authorisation in the US, many prospective students are wondering what OPT actually is and who would be affected if the proposal becomes policy.
WHAT IS OPT?
OPT is not a visa. It is a temporary employment authorisation granted to students on an F-1 visa.
Eligible international students can generally work in the US for:
- Up to 12 months after completing a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree.
- Students graduating from eligible STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programmes can apply for an additional 24-month STEM OPT extension, allowing them to work for a total of 36 months.
- The employment must be directly related to the student's field of study.
WHO WOULD BE AFFECTED?
If the proposed fee is implemented, it would primarily affect:
- International students graduating from US universities on F-1 visas.
- Students planning to apply for post-study work authorisation under OPT.
- STEM graduates seeking the longer 36-month work period.
Indian students are likely to be among the worst affected. India is now the largest source of international students in the US. Many of them study STEM courses, which make them eligible for a 24-month OPT extension after graduation.
For many Indian students, the chance to work in the US after completing their degree is a major reason to choose an American university. A sharp increase in the OPT fee could make studying in the US more expensive and influence future enrolment decisions.
WHY IS OPT SO IMPORTANT?
For many international students, OPT serves as a bridge between university and long-term employment.
It allows graduates to:
- Gain US work experience.
- Recover part of the high cost of studying abroad.
- Build professional networks.
- Improve their chances of obtaining employer sponsorship for an H-1B visa.
Many technology, engineering, finance and research employers recruit international graduates through OPT before deciding whether to sponsor them for longer-term employment.
WHY IS THE PROPOSED FEE CAUSING CONCERN?
According to a Wall Street Journal report, the Trump administration is considering a $100,000 fee for graduates seeking to work through OPT as part of a broader overhaul of student visa rules. The proposal has not yet been finalised, and it remains unclear who would ultimately pay the fee—students, employers or universities.
If implemented, the measure could significantly reduce the attractiveness of US higher education for international students, especially those relying on post-study employment to offset tuition costs.
However, the fee is not in effect. The proposal is still under consideration and has not been officially announced or implemented. Details, including eligibility, exemptions and the timeline, remain unclear.
