The proposed rule would charge universities $70,000 for a student's initial work authorization and $30,000 for extensions, a sharp increase from the current fee of about $500. DHS describes the program as a "back door" into the domestic labor market and argues the fees will help US citizens compete for jobs by curbing cheap labor and stopping attempts to bypass H-1B visa caps and prevailing-wage requirements.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
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DHS Threatens to End OPT Program Without $100,000 Fees
US Politics13 days ago
The Department of Homeland Security warns it will be unable to prevent fraud and protect American workers unless it can implement a new payment system for international graduate work permits. In a proposed rule, the agency says it may "shut down the program entirely" because its capacity to investigate employers has not kept pace with growth, which saw the number of Optional Practical Training (OPT) workers rise 21% to 194,554 in 2024 from 160,627 in 2023. A 2026 investigation also identified more than 10,000 students working for "highly suspect" employers.
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