The US OPT Fee Proposal could significantly change the post-study work plans of Indian students pursuing higher education in America.
The Trump administration has proposed a $70,000 fee, equivalent to approximately Rs 67 lakh, for the initial participation of an international student in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme.
An additional $30,000 fee has been proposed for a subsequent authorisation.
The proposal could make it more difficult for universities to support international graduates seeking work experience in the United States.
However, the charges are proposed fees payable by eligible educational institutions, not a confirmed direct payment requirement for every student.
US OPT Fee Proposal: What Has Been Announced?
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed the new fee structure on October 7, 2026.
Under the proposal, universities certified to enrol international students would pay $70,000 for a student’s initial OPT authorisation and $30,000 for a subsequent authorisation.
The proposed charges represent a substantial increase from the approximately $500 students currently pay for OPT-related processing.
If the proposal is finalised, universities could face a major additional expense when recommending eligible international graduates for work authorisation.
The administration says the measure is intended to combat fraud, strengthen immigration oversight and protect American workers.
However, the proposal has raised concerns about its potential impact on universities, international students and employers that recruit graduates from overseas.
What Is OPT and Why Do Indian Students Need It?
Optional Practical Training is a US programme that allows eligible international students holding F-1 visas to gain practical work experience related to their field of study.
Students generally qualify for up to 12 months of OPT, while eligible graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields can apply for a further 24-month extension.
For many Indian graduates, OPT provides an opportunity to gain professional experience after completing a degree at an American university.
It can also offer time to pursue longer-term employment opportunities, including employer-sponsored H-1B status, subject to the relevant eligibility requirements.
The proposed fee could therefore affect students who choose American universities partly because of the opportunity to gain work experience after graduation.
Those pursuing technology and engineering careers may be particularly concerned about whether universities will continue recommending international graduates for OPT.
Will Students Have to Pay Rs 67 Lakh Directly?
One important detail is that the proposed $70,000 charge would formally be paid by the eligible educational institution rather than directly by the student.
The additional $30,000 charge would apply to a subsequent authorisation under the proposed framework.
However, universities could respond to the additional expense by limiting the number of students they recommend, reducing admissions or attempting to recover some costs through tuition and other charges.
These are possible consequences, not confirmed changes to university fees or admissions policies.
If both proposed charges applied to a student’s case, the combined amount would reach $100,000, or roughly Rs 96 lakh at an illustrative exchange rate of Rs 96 per dollar.
This is a potential institutional cost under the proposal, not a confirmed bill that every international student would have to pay.
What Happens Next for Indian Students?
The proposal is not yet a final rule. The DHS must consider public feedback before deciding whether to adopt the changes, revise them or proceed with a final version.
Legal challenges could also affect the implementation timeline.
Indian students planning to study in the US should monitor official immigration announcements and review the financial implications of their chosen courses.
They should also discuss post-study employment options with university international student offices before making decisions based on the assumption that OPT will remain unchanged.
For prospective students, the US OPT Fee Proposal makes it especially important to consider tuition costs, living expenses, employment prospects and the uncertainty surrounding future immigration rules.
Until a final rule is issued, students should distinguish between the proposed changes and the requirements currently in force.
