DHS published the proposal on October 7, 2026. It is not final — a 30-day public comment period has just opened, and nothing changes for current students yet

The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed a new fee structure for Optional Practical Training (OPT) — the program that lets international students on F-1 visas work in the US for up to a year after graduation, or up to three years for STEM graduates. Under the proposal, colleges and universities would pay $70,000 for an initial OPT recommendation and an additional $30,000 for extensions, up to $100,000 per student. The proposal was published in the Federal Register on October 8, 2026, opening a 30-day public comment period before any final decision.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Proposed fee: $70,000 for initial OPT participation; an additional $30,000 for extensions (including the STEM OPT extension), up to $100,000 total per student
• Who pays, on paper: Colleges and universities, which must pay before recommending a student for OPT — DHS has said schools may choose to pass this cost on to international students, all students, or employers
• Current stage: Proposed rule only, published October 8, 2026, with a 30-day public comment period now open
• What happens next: DHS must review public comments before issuing a final rule; if finalised, the fee would take effect 60 days after that final rule is published
• What this means for timing: Even on the fastest realistic path, this is months away from taking effect — nothing has changed for current OPT holders or applicants today
• Refunds: Schools could request a refund if a student doesn't ultimately receive work authorisation, decided case-by-case

What this means for applicants

This is a proposal, not a rule in effect. OPT continues to work exactly as it does today, and nothing is required of current or prospective applicants right now. The public comment period exists specifically so universities, students, and advocacy groups can respond before DHS finalizes anything — and groups like NAFSA have already raised concerns, so the final version, if one is issued at all, may differ from what's proposed today.

For Indian students specifically, the US remains the top-preferred study destination, and OPT has long been a significant draw for STEM and business graduates. A fee this size, if it survives the comment period and is implemented as proposed, would meaningfully change the cost-benefit calculation of a US degree versus destinations with established post-study work routes, such as the UK's Graduate visa, Canada's PGWP, or Germany's 18-month job-search period. But that comparison is premature while the rule remains unconfirmed and months from any effective date.

What you can do

• If you're already on OPT or currently enrolled in a US program, no action is needed right now — this proposal does not apply to existing status.
• If you're planning a US application for intakes further out, keep this on your radar as one factor among several, rather than a reason to change plans today — the final outcome is genuinely uncertain.
• If you're weighing US vs. other study destinations, it's a reasonable moment to also look at the post-study work pathways in the UK, Canada, Ireland,
• Germany, and Australia, simply to have the full comparison in hand.
• Watch for the outcome of the public comment period over the next month, and treat any "fee confirmed" headlines with caution until DHS actually issues a final rule.

IRS Study Abroad, Kottayam, tracks visa and work-authorisation policy developments across all major study destinations — including proposals still working through the US regulatory process — so students get accurate, current information rather than speculation.