US proposes $70,000 fee for international students seeking to work after study

The administration of United States President Donald Trump has proposed a $70,000 fee for international students seeking to work in the country, according to Associated Press. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed the fee on Wednesday, saying schools would pay it for every international student participating in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows students to work in jobs related to their fields of study during or after their education in the US. Students are generally eligible for up to one year of employment after graduation.

DHS described the fee as a response to fraud and abuse of the visa programme, which it called a “pipeline for cheap foreign labour.” It added, “Under the proposed rule, schools would pay $70,000 for each student’s initial application for the programme, while a $30,000 fee would apply to each renewal.” The CEO of NAFSA, an association representing international education, reacted, “The OPT programme enables international students to gain practical work experience while helping address labour shortages in high-demand STEM fields. Driving away the talents, perspectives, and aspirations of international students will only hurt American innovation, economic growth, workforce development, and global leadership.”

The public has 60 days to comment on the proposal before DHS can finalise it. The Trump administration has introduced measures targeting international students. Last year, it began terminating the legal status of thousands of international students, with many later detained or deported. This summer, it finalised a rule seeking to limit international students to four years in the US unless they receive federal approval.