US proposes ₹67 lakh fee for students to work

What demographic is being targeted under this proposal?

The proposal targets international students on F-1 visas who use Optional Practical Training (OPT), a work-training programme for graduates. Indian students are the largest group affected: 3.63 lakh enrolled in US institutions in 2024-25, and 1.44 lakh took part in OPT. The fee would be charged to universities, which may pass it on to students.

Who pays the fee, the students or the school?

The student does not pay the fee directly. The proposal charges the university, which must pay US$70,000 the first time it recommends a student for OPT work training. But the rule lets the school recover that cost from the student, employers, or both. The student is the most likely one to end up paying.

Who actually pays the fee in the end?

The rule puts the fee on SEVP-certified schools (those approved to enrol foreign students), not students.

Could the fee be stopped before it starts?

A similar $100,000 fee on H-1B petitions is already blocked by litigation, and the new $103,265 H-1B fee is expected to face legal challenges.

Why does the US want a US$70,000 fee for OPT?

Critics, including immigration lawyers and tech groups (companies that hire foreign graduates), say the real goal is to shut the programme down.

Are both fees still just proposals?

Yes, both fees are proposals only. The OPT fee of $70,000 and the H-1B fee of $103,265 were announced as proposed rules, not final laws.

Are Indian students already pulling back?

Yes, there is already a cooling, before any new fee takes effect. Indian enrolment in US institutions reportedly fell about 15% in the 2025-26 cycle after years of growth, amid tighter US visa policy. The proposed fees would land on top of that existing chill, though they are not yet in force.