Trump mulls $100,000 fee for students keen to work in the U.S. after graduation, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• The Trump administration is reportedly considering a $100,000 fee for international students seeking to work in the U.S. after graduation.
• This proposed fee would apply to Optional Practical Training (OPT) visas, which are an extension of F-1 visas for students.
• The move follows a U.S. court decision that struck down a previous proposal to levy a similar $100,000 fee on H1-B visas.
• In 2024, approximately 419,000 foreign nationals were working in the U.S. under the OPT program.

US Visa.jpg

Detailed Insights:

• The proposed fee is being considered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as part of broader immigration policy reforms.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows international graduates to work for one to three years in fields directly related to their studies.
• This program is often a critical first step for international students towards gaining work experience and potentially securing an H1-B visa.
• The potential imposition of such a high fee could significantly reduce the affordability of U.S. education and deter international students from choosing the U.S. as a study destination.
• Tech companies, which frequently recruit international graduates from U.S. universities, had previously opposed the H1-B visa fee due to its potential impact on talent acquisition.
• India is a major source of international students in the U.S., and a significant portion of STEM OPT students are Indian nationals.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Optional Practical Training (OPT): A temporary employment authorization for F-1 visa students to gain practical work experience directly related to their major field of study.
• F-1 Visa: A non-immigrant visa category for international students pursuing academic studies at accredited educational institutions in the United States.
• H1-B Visa: A non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring theoretical or technical expertise.
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS): A U.S. federal executive department responsible for public security, including immigration enforcement and administration of immigration benefits.