US weighs $100,000 OPT work fee
Analysis based on 6 articles · First reported Jul 30, 2026 · Last updated Aug 01, 2026
If implemented, the fee could reduce the flow of international talent into US tech and finance sectors, potentially raising labor costs and slowing innovation. Universities may see lower international enrollment, impacting tuition revenue, while companies relying on OPT as a talent pipeline could face recruitment challenges.
According to a The Wall Street Journal report, the Donald Trump administration is considering a plan to charge foreign university graduates $100,000 to obtain post-graduation employment in the US under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) scheme. The OPT program allows eligible international scholars to work in the US for up to three years after completing their degrees. Approximately 419,000 international graduates used OPT in 2024. The proposal has drawn backlash online, with critics warning it could deter global talent and hurt university revenues that rely on foreign student tuition. The plan follows a similar $100,000 fee on certain H-1B visa applicants that was blocked last week by the United States — United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The administration has not officially announced the OPT fee plan.
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