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F-1OPT

A $70,000 fee for each student's OPT

Homeland Security rule: Optional Practical Training Fees (RIN 1653-AB01)

  1. Draft

  2. Comments

  3. Revising

  4. In effect

Comments open until Nov 910 days left

4,333 comments so far

81% oppose16% support3% neither

What would change

Homeland Security proposes that schools pay $70,000 before recommending an F-1 student for OPT the first time, and $30,000 for each later period, including the STEM extension. Schools could pass the cost on.

35,373 views of the official page

Comment on regulations.gov ↗Read the proposal ↗

Timeline

  1. Oct 8, 2026

    Proposal published for public comment

  2. Nov 9, 2026

    Public comments close

Those opposed say

  • At $70,000 per student, most schools would stop recommending OPT
  • Students already on OPT or STEM OPT need a transition plan
  • Studies cited say OPT doesn't lower US workers' pay

Those in favor say

  • OPT is used as cheap labor that undercuts US graduates
  • Some want OPT ended outright, not just priced
  • Schools should carry the cost of students they recommend

A sample of 80 comments read by AI on Oct 29, not a poll.

From the Federal Register, regulations.gov and the White House's list of rules under review, checked daily. Summaries are ours and leave out detail, so read the official text before acting on it. We don't take sides on any of these.

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