US Proposes $70,000 OPT Fee for International Students, Nigerian Graduates Could Be Affected

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a new $70,000 fee for an international student’s initial participation in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, a move that could have significant implications for Nigerian students and other foreign graduates seeking work experience in the country.

Under the proposed rule published by DHS, the fee would be paid by the educational institution sponsoring or recommending the student’s OPT, rather than directly by the student. A subsequent OPT recommendation for the same student would attract an additional $30,000 fee.

The proposal represents a major increase from the current cost associated with OPT and forms part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to tighten immigration controls and impose new requirements on foreign nationals studying and working in the United States. Reuters reported that the proposed measure would require schools to pay at least $70,000 for an initial OPT recommendation, with an additional $30,000 applicable to subsequent training.

OPT allows eligible F-1 international students to obtain temporary employment in the United States in an area directly related to their studies. Students can generally participate in post-completion OPT for up to 12 months, while graduates in qualifying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields can receive an additional extension, allowing eligible students to work for up to three years in total.

The proposed fee structure could make universities and other educational institutions more cautious about recommending international students for OPT because of the substantial financial obligation attached to each recommendation.

For Nigerian students, who are among the many international students pursuing higher education in the United States, the change could affect opportunities to gain professional experience after graduation if universities decide that the proposed costs are too high to absorb or pass on through other charges.

The proposal could also have wider implications for US employers that recruit international graduates, particularly in specialised and STEM-related fields. OPT has become an important route through which international graduates obtain practical experience in their fields after completing their studies.

NAFSA: Association of International Educators has criticised the proposed fee structure, arguing that OPT benefits both international students and the US economy.

Fanta Aw, NAFSA’s executive director and CEO, said the programme helps international students obtain practical experience while addressing labour shortages in high-demand areas, particularly STEM fields.

“Driving away the talents, perspectives, and aspirations of international students will only hurt American innovation, economic growth, workforce development, and global leadership,” Aw said.

NAFSA said the proposed rule would require schools to pay $70,000 before making an initial OPT recommendationand $30,000 for each subsequent OPT recommendation for the same student.

The organisation also said it would submit detailed comments on the proposal and raise concerns about its potential impact on international education and the US economy.

The proposal comes amid a series of immigration and international student policy changes under the Trump administration, adding further uncertainty for foreign students considering or already pursuing education in the United States. NAFSA has separately documented other recent DHS measures affecting international students and their academic mobility.

The $70,000 and $30,000 charges are proposed fees, not current requirements. The rule is subject to the federal regulatory process and public comment before any final implementation. Reuters reported that the proposal provides for a 30-day public comment period and, if finalised, would take effect 60 days later.