Seeking job in US? Trump weighs $100,000 work permit fee from foreign graduates
The Trump administration is considering a $100,000 fee for international students seeking work authorization under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. This proposal aims to tighten immigration policies but faces potential backlash from universities and tech firms.
Why it matters
Such a policy could significantly alter the landscape for international students in the US and impact the talent pipeline for American technology and financial sectors.
The Trump administration is considering imposing a $100,000 fee on international students seeking to work in the United States after graduating from American universities, according to people familiar with the matter, in a move that could significantly reduce the appeal of studying in the country.The proposed fee would apply to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows international graduates to work in the US on their student visas for up to three years, depending on their field of study. Around 419,000 foreign graduates were working under the OPT programme in 2024, the latest available data show.If approved, the measure would mark another step in President Donald Trump's broader push to tighten legal immigration.
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