US DHS Proposes USD 70,000 Fee for Student Work Authorization
· World · Times of India, Moneycontrol
The United States Department of Homeland Security has proposed a USD 70,000 fee for US universities sponsoring an F-1 student's first participation in Optional Practical Training. An additional USD 30,000 fee is proposed for subsequent authorizations, bringing the total potential cost to USD 100,000 over a standard 36-month STEM OPT period. The legal obligation falls on the university or certified school, though guidelines indicate institutions could recover costs from students or employers. OPT serves as a primary entry point to the US labor market for international graduates before transitioning to H-1B visas. India sent 363,019 students to the US in the 2024-25 academic year, with Indian participation in OPT reaching 143,740.
Why it matters
Indian students and US universities face substantial financial burdens that could significantly reduce post-graduation work opportunities in America.
Read the original report — Times of India
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