The Aporia · Trump admin plans to charge international students US$70,000 for work authorisation

The US Department of Homeland Security under the Trump administration has proposed charging international students with F-1 visas a minimum of $70,000 for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows them to work in the country after graduation. Additionally, there is a proposed fee of $30,000 for any additional training beyond OPT. The government claims these measures are aimed at combating fraud and protecting US workers, but critics argue that such high fees will likely face legal challenges similar to previous restrictive policies on H-1B visas.

Written by AI on 2026-10-07, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

Story summary

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a new rule that would require universities and other certified schools to pay $70,000 for each foreign student entering the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program after graduation, with an additional $30,000 fee for any subsequent OPT authorization including STEM extensions. The DHS claims this was never meant to be a backdoor into the American workforce and aims to combat fraud and protect US workers. Schools must pay the fee before recommending students for OPT and before students can apply for employment authorization with USCIS. The proposal, which is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on October 8, 2026, will accept public comments until November 7, 2026.

Written for “Student Visa Work Permit Fee” on 2026-10-31, grounded in this article and the 4 other(s) covering the same event.

📰 Student Visa Work Permit Fee

Education · 5 article(s) covering the same event. Compare every outlet's account →

This article reads unscored and hedges 7% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.

Trump administration plans to charge international students $70,000 for work authorisation Same event

The Hindu

⚖️ Leans right Hedges 1 of 14 claims Outlet record 60/100

Trump Administration Proposes $70K Fee for International Students to Work in U.S. Same event

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Hedges 0 of 2 claims Outlet record 70/100

“The articles describe different administrative actions: one about renewing an H-1B visa fee and another proposing a new fee for international students' OPT program.”

New OPT fee proposed: $70,000 for first-time F-1 students, $30,000 for extension; DHS says this was never meant to be a backdoor Same event

Times of India

Hedges 3 of 26 claims Outlet record 59/100

US proposes US$70,000 fee for foreign students to work after graduation Same event

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Hedges 1 of 30 claims Outlet record 68/100

“The articles describe different actions by the Trump administration regarding international students and workers, with Article A focusing on a proposed work authorization fee for F-1 visa holders and Article B detailing a ban on hiring through the H-1B visa program.”

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Under the OPT system, foreign students can engage in work training for up to 20 hours a week while school is in session, as well as for a limited time after graduation, with an additional allowance for those with degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-10-07

🔮 Under the proposal, non-immigrant students with F-1 visas would be required to pay US$70,000 to a certified institution for on-the-job training, known as Optional Practical Training (OPT), and US$30,000 for any additional work training.

2026-10-07 · The Straits Times

Trump admin plans to charge international students US$70,000 for work authorisation · assertive framing

Trump admin plans to charge international students US$70,000 for work authorisation AI generated asserted

admin → plan → authorisation

The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed that international students pay at least US$70,000 (S$90,000) in training fees if they want to work in the country, according to a government notice posted online on Oct 7, part of the Trump administration’s wider crackdown on foreign visa holders. uncertain

they → propose → holders

Under the proposal, non-immigrant students with F-1 visas would be required to pay US$70,000 to a certified institution for on-the-job training, known as Optional Practical Training (OPT), and US$30,000 for any additional work training. asserted

students → require → training

DHS said the new rules were meant “to combat fraud, strengthen the integrity of the immigration system, and protect US workers.” asserted

rules → say → workers

school → engage → science

Those who enroll are currently expected to pay around US$500. asserted

who → enroll → 500

“DHS is now setting a fee to ensure employers, students, and institutions are engaging in appropriate activities consistent with admission as an F-1 non-immigrant,” the agency said. asserted

agency → set → immigrant

Such training programmes often serve as a bridge for students seeking work under H-1B visas, which the Trump administration has also targeted with increased fees. asserted

administration → serve → fees

For decades, the H-1B programme has allowed young engineers and scientists from across the world, especially India and China, to turn years of study at US universities into high-paying jobs and a path to permanent US residency. asserted

engineers → allow → residency

Leading US tech companies have come to rely heavily on these workers to fill skilled positions. asserted

companies → lead → positions

When he was campaigning in 2024, President Donald Trump vowed he would make it easier for foreign students to remain in the country, suggesting they be automatically awarded a Green Card after graduation. asserted

they → campaign → graduation

Like similar DHS proposals, the rule change is likely to be met with swift legal challenges. asserted

change → meet → challenges

“This proposed rule isn’t going to fare well in the courts, just as the 100k H-1B fee and other restrictionist policies have been struck down,” Doug Rand, director of the Talent Mobility Fund, which works to attract foreign STEM professionals, wrote on LinkedIn on Oct 7. asserted

which → propose → Oct

The proposal is subject to 30 days of public comment before it can be finalised. asserted

it → finalise → comment

DHS said it would wait 60 days after finalisation before putting the rule into effect to allow schools, students and employers time to prepare. asserted

it → say → time

Trump admin plans to charge international students US$70,000 for work authorisation

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