Politics
A proposal has emerged to set a $70,000 fee for work training for international students in the United States.
A proposal has emerged to set a $70,000 fee for work training for international students in the United States. According to details, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has developed a new plan as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown on foreign visa holders. Under the proposal, international students would have to pay a hefty fee of at least $70,000 to work in the United States. Changes to visa and training regulations for international students have been proposed. Under these changes, students holding F-1 visas would have to pay $70,000 to an authorized institution to obtain post-graduation job training through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. An additional $30,000 would be required for any further work training.
Under the current system, international students can participate in work-related training for up to 20 hours per week while studying. They are also permitted to work for a limited period after graduation. Students participating in the program currently pay a fee of approximately $500. The Department of Homeland Security says the proposed rules aim to eliminate fraud in the immigration system, strengthen transparency and protect the rights of American workers. The fee would help ensure that employers, students and educational institutions are engaging in legitimate activities in compliance with the law.
For years, the OPT program has served as an important pathway for international students, particularly those studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), to obtain H-1B visas and secure long-term employment with U.S. technology companies. Indian and Chinese students have been among the biggest beneficiaries of the system, while major companies in Silicon Valley rely on them to meet their demand for skilled workers. Experts believe that, like the previously introduced $100,000 fee for H-1B visas and other restrictions, the new proposal could face significant legal challenges in U.S. courts. Before being finalized, the proposal has been opened for public comment for 30 days. However, if the rule is approved, the Department of Homeland Security is expected to give educational institutions and students time to prepare before its final implementation.
