The Trump administration is considering a proposal that could require international students to pay a $100,000 fee to access the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, a key post-study work pathway that allows foreign graduates to gain employment in the United States, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
The proposal has not been officially announced, but reports suggest the fee would apply to students seeking to work in the US after graduating from American universities. The move has sparked widespread debate, with critics warning it could discourage international talent and undermine the country’s appeal as a higher education destination.
What is OPT?
The Optional Practical Training programme allows eligible international students to work in the United States for up to 12 months after completing their studies. Graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields can extend the period by an additional 24 months, enabling them to work for up to three years.
The programme serves as a crucial pathway for international graduates to gain professional experience and, in many cases, transition to an H-1B visa sponsored by their employers.
According to *The Wall Street Journal*, officials backing the proposal argue that the OPT programme has been vulnerable to visa fraud and overstays. However, opponents contend that such a steep fee would effectively shut out genuine students who rely on the programme to begin their careers.
Potential impact on Indian students
The proposal is expected to have its biggest impact on Indian students, who now make up the largest international student community in the United States.
According to the latest Open Doors report, more than 363,000 Indian students were enrolled in US universities during the 2024-25 academic year, surpassing China. A significant share of these students pursue STEM courses, making them eligible for the extended OPT period.
For many Indian families, studying in the US involves substantial financial investment, often supported by education loans. Graduates typically depend on post-study employment through OPT to recover tuition and living expenses before seeking long-term work opportunities.
If the reported $100,000 fee is implemented, it would add an additional financial burden of nearly Rs 95 lakh at current exchange rates, potentially making the programme inaccessible for many students.
Education experts believe the move could prompt prospective students to explore alternative destinations such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany and Australia, where post-study work pathways are comparatively more affordable.
US employers could also feel the impact
The proposed fee could extend beyond students and affect American employers that rely on international graduates for skilled talent.
Government data cited by *The Wall Street Journal* showed that approximately 419,000 international graduates were employed through the OPT programme in 2024. The programme has become a major recruitment pipeline for sectors including technology, engineering and finance, where companies often hire graduates through OPT before sponsoring them for H-1B visas.
Industry observers warn that limiting access to OPT could make it more difficult for US businesses to recruit highly skilled workers trained at American universities.
Part of a broader immigration crackdown
The reported proposal comes amid a broader tightening of immigration policies under the Trump administration.
Earlier this year, the administration introduced a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, a move that faced immediate legal challenges. A federal appeals court recently blocked enforcement of that policy following objections from major technology companies.
Meanwhile, Indian student enrolment in the United States has already shown signs of slowing. US government arrival data indicated that new enrolments from India declined significantly between August 2024 and August 2025, amid stricter visa scrutiny and prolonged interview delays.
While the administration has yet to formally unveil the proposed OPT fee, the reported plan has intensified concerns over the future of post-study work opportunities for international students, particularly those from India who have long viewed the United States as a preferred destination for higher education and career growth.
