US proposes steep H-1B and OPT fees

The Trump administration, through the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is advancing regulatory proposals that could sharply increase fees for H-1B work visas and F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) applications. According to immigration law firm Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen and Loewy, a proposed OPT fee rule was sent to the United States — Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on August 20, and a separate H-1B fee proposal cleared OMB review on August 19. Reports suggest DHS could propose an H-1B fee of $103,265 and an OPT fee of up to $100,000, though exact amounts remain confidential. These proposals follow a court-blocked $100,000 H-1B fee from 2025, which a federal court vacated as an unlawful tax; the government's appeal is pending. Additionally, DHS earlier proposed eliminating the 60-day grace period for certain H-1B workers after employment ends. Indians are disproportionately affected, comprising about 71% of H-1B beneficiaries approved in 2024. The proposals could raise costs for US employers sponsoring foreign workers and for international students transitioning to employment, potentially impacting the technology and education sectors.