USA: DHS Proposes $70,000 and $30,000 Fees for OPT (Proposal Only)

What is proposed

The US Department of Homeland Security published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, "Optional Practical Training Fees", in the Federal Register on 8 October 2026. It proposes:

• USD 70,000 for a student's first OPT of any type.
• USD 30,000 for any later OPT, including a STEM OPT extension.

As written, the fee is paid by the SEVP-certified school for each F-1 student before the OPT recommendation. DHS says schools may pass the cost on to students or employers.

What it would apply to

The proposal says it would apply to F-1 students who apply for OPT after the effective date, which DHS proposes to be 60 days after a final rule is published. Students who already have OPT would not be affected as proposed.

What is not changing right now

Current OPT regulations and USCIS filing fees stay as they are. University international offices advise students to keep following current rules and deadlines. DHS will review public comments and has not committed to a final rule.

Two other things worth knowing

• Duration of status. The DHS rule to replace duration of status with fixed admission periods was postponed by a federal court on 15 September 2026, according to a university international office summary, so duration of status remains in effect while the case proceeds.
• H-1B. The USD 100,000 payment for certain new H-1B petitions applies to initial petitions for people outside the US. Guidance says a change of status such as F-1 to H-1B inside the US is not subject to it.

What to do

Do not change study plans on a proposal, but build flexibility into your plan and ask your university how it expects to respond. Speak to a counsellor about how this affects your timeline. See our USA page for current OPT rules.

Sources

• Federal Register: Optional Practical Training Fees (8 Oct 2026)
• University of Washington International Student Services: DHS proposes new OPT fees
• UC Davis Student and Scholar Services: federal government updates