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DHS Proposes New Fees for Schools Recommending Students for OPT
TL;DR
- DHS has proposed charging schools $70,000 for initial OPT recommendations and $30,000 for subsequent ones.
- The fees are not yet in effect, and the deadline for public comment is November 9, 2026.
- While schools are the legally responsible party for payment, they may pass costs to students or employers.
- The proposal aims to address fraud and protect American workers, though it faces potential legal scrutiny.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has introduced a proposal to implement new fees for schools that provide recommendations for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Under the plan, schools would be required to pay $70,000 for an initial recommendation and $30,000 for any subsequent recommendations.
These fees are currently not in effect, and the department is accepting public comments on the proposal until November 9, 2026. If the rule is finalized, it would take effect 60 days after publication.
Although the regulation designates schools as the party responsible for payment, the DHS noted that institutions might choose to shift these costs to students, employers, or other sources. The agency stated that USCIS would not approve employment authorization applications if the corresponding school fee has not been paid.
DHS officials stated that the proposed fees are intended to mitigate fraud and abuse within the OPT program while ensuring that the system does not function as a source of inexpensive labor. The agency estimates that the policy would impact approximately 2,478 schools.
Why It Matters
This proposal significantly impacts the landscape for international students, many of whom come from India to pursue higher education in the U.S. By potentially increasing the financial burden on academic institutions, the rule could influence how schools manage OPT programs, affecting the ability of graduates to transition into the American workforce after completing their degrees.
Nov 5, 2026 · Updated 11/5/2026, 12:38:17 PM · Reported with: VisaVerge
Sources (1)
NRI Bytes writes its own articles from the reporting below.
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