DHS Proposes $70,000 Initial and $30,000 Subsequent Fees for F-1 OPT

The Department of Homeland Security has filed a proposed rule that would create new fees for Optional Practical Training (OPT) under the F-1 student visa program. The rule would require a $70,000 fee for initial OPT and a $30,000 fee for any subsequent OPT period, applying to each F-1 student at a SEVP-certified institution.

Key points

• This is a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), part of DHS, and is not yet final or in effect.
• The proposed fee is $70,000 for initial OPT and $30,000 for any subsequent OPT, per F-1 nonimmigrant student.
• The fee would be paid by the SEVP-certified school, not the student, before a designated school official recommends the student for OPT.
• DHS states the goal is to combat fraud, strengthen immigration system integrity and protect U.S. workers.
• The comment period runs 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, with a separate 60 day comment period for the related information collection; the rule is scheduled for publication on October 8, 2026, so these periods would run from that date.
• Comments must be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at regulations.gov under Docket No. ICEB-2026-0100; comments sent by email, mail, or other channels will not be considered.

Who is affected

F-1 international students seeking or currently on Optional Practical Training, and SEVP-certified schools and employers involved in OPT.

What to do