Planning to Work in the US After Graduation? Trump May Make It Cost USD 100,000

The Trump administration is reportedly considering imposing a USD 100,000 fee on international students who wish to remain in the United States and work after graduating from American universities, a move that could dramatically increase the cost of pursuing higher education in the country.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the proposal is being examined by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and would apply to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme. OPT allows international students holding F-1 visas to stay in the US and work for one to three years in jobs directly related to their field of study after completing their education.

The reported proposal comes after a US court struck down an earlier plan to impose a USD 100,000 fee on H-1B visas, which are widely used by skilled foreign professionals. The administration is now said to be exploring whether a similar fee can instead be attached to the OPT programme.

Officially, the proposal has not been finalized. A DHS spokesperson said no policy should be treated as final until it is formally announced, adding that the department continues to evaluate measures aimed at protecting the integrity of the country's legal immigration system.

The OPT programme remains one of the biggest attractions for international students choosing to study in the US. It provides graduates with valuable work experience before they either transition to longer-term employment visas or return to their home countries. According to the latest available data, around 4.19 lakh foreign graduates were working under the OPT programme in 2024.

The report also states that the US State Department is considering another measure requiring certain green card applicants outside the US to pay a USD 100,000 refundable bond, which would be returned only after they relocate to the US and eventually become citizens.

Industry experts believe any steep increase in post-study work costs could significantly affect international student enrolment, particularly in science and technology programmes, where American companies have traditionally recruited a large share of global talent.