Policy Watch|United States
DHS proposes a $70,000 fee on schools for each foreign student they recommend for OPT work, and $30,000 for each repeat
A proposed rule from DHS/ICE, published in the Federal Register on 8 October 2026, would charge SEVP-certified schools $70,000 per F-1 student recommended for initial Optional Practical Training and $30,000 for any later OPT, including the STEM extension. DHS says schools may pass the cost on to students, all students, or employers. Comments close 9 November. Nothing changes until a final rule takes effect 60 days after publication.
Daily Teabag Desk·Centre