Summary of Key Points
The Trump administration is considering imposing a fee of $100,000 on international students for their Optional Practical Training (OPT) permits after graduation. It is still undecided whether the cost will be borne by the students, universities, or employers. Previously, the government's plan to charge $100,000 for H-1B visas was overturned by a court due to a lack of congressional authorization. If the OPT fee is implemented, it could have a chain reaction: it would result in economic losses for the United States (international students contribute $55 billion annually; a decline in enrollment has already led to job losses), financial crises for universities (which rely on high tuition fees from international students), and a loss of talented individuals (OPT students are among the highest-paid group under the H-1B visa program, and these spots could be taken over by outsourcing companies). This is part of a series of immigration tightening policies by the administration. Although there are bipartisan bills attempting to protect OPT students, their effectiveness is limited.
1. The OPT Fee Proposal: Who Will Pay the $100,000?
OPT simply allows international students to work legally in the United States for 1-3 years after graduation with a student visa (for example, computer science graduates can intern or work at Google). Now, the Trump administration wants to charge $100,000 for this permit, but it has not yet been decided who will pay: the students themselves, the universities, or the companies that hire them?
It is worth noting that the government's previous attempt to charge $100,000 for H-1B visas (for skilled workers) was also unsuccessful—the court ruled that the fee was unauthorized and illegal, and the appeal was rejected. Whether the OPT fee will meet the same fate is uncertain, but there is a precedent to consider.
2. Will Charging $100,000 for OPT Lead to Greater Economic Losses for the US?
Charging $100,000 might not be a profit-making move; instead, it could result in significant losses:
- International Students Are Valuable Economically: They contribute $55 billion annually to the US through tuition fees, rent payments, and spending. With 17% fewer international freshmen in the fall of 2025, there will be a direct loss of $1.1 billion and 23,000 jobs (for example, faculty members at universities and employees in local restaurants).
- Talented Individuals May Leave: OPT students are among the highest-paid applicants for H-1B visas (such as STEM graduates from US universities, who earn more than other H-1B applicants). If the fee is imposed, they may choose to return to their home countries, and their H-1B spots could be taken by outsourcing companies that hire lower-paid workers, potentially lowering the overall skill level and salary of the H-1B workforce.
- Local Students Are Also Affected: International students pay significantly higher tuition fees (often several times more than local students). Universities may raise tuition to make up for the loss of this revenue.
3. Universities Are Struggling: Fewer International Students Mean Less Revenue
Many US universities rely on high tuition fees from international students:
- University of Texas at Arlington: The number of international students decreased by 20% in the fall of 2025, resulting in an expected loss of $13 million to $15.6 million in tuition revenue for 2026.
- Northwestern University: The university has laid off 425 employees, frozen recruitment, and postponed construction projects due to fewer international students.
- Moody's Warning: Universities that depend on international students face increased credit risk (they may have difficulty borrowing money). Since January 2024, more than 300 universities have cut programs, eliminated departments, or laid off staff.
4. Why Is the Trump Administration Targeting OPT?
This is not the first time the administration has taken tough measures on immigration:
- September 2025: Proposed a $100,000 additional fee for H-1B visas (overturned by court).
- Early 2026: Announced the doubling of the initial salary requirement for H-1B visas.
- January 2026: Revoked 10,000 visas (including 8,000 student visas); the number of F-1 visas issued decreased by 36%.
- July 2026: Restricted student visa durations to 4 years (although STEM doctors typically take 5.7 years to complete their degrees).
In essence, the administration is trying various methods to reduce the number of foreign workers and international students, possibly in response to domestic calls for job protection. However, the actual effects may be counterproductive.
5. Can This Be Stopped? The Hope and Limitations of Bipartisan Bills
There is some good news: In April 2026, Democratic and Republican lawmakers from California proposed a bipartisan bill to legalize the OPT fee (which would prevent the administration from arbitrarily revoking it). However, the bill is still under review by a congressional committee, and it is uncertain whether it will pass. Even if it passes, it may not completely stop the fee collection—congress would need to vote on it, which is much more difficult than an executive order.
In summary, the OPT fee seems like a way to generate additional revenue but could harm the US economy, universities, and the job market. Behind this are the Trump administration's immigration tightening policies. Whether these measures will be implemented depends on legal and political developments. For international students, the path to staying in the US may become increasingly difficult. For the US, whether losing these talented individuals and their economic contributions is worth it is likely a question with a negative answer.