The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a new $70,000 fee for U.S. universities that recommend international students for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, a move that could affect Nigerian and other foreign students seeking to gain work experience in the country after graduation.
Under the proposed rule, universities and other eligible institutions would pay $70,000 when they first recommend an F-1 international student for OPT. A subsequent OPT recommendation for the same student would attract a $30,000 fee.
OPT allows eligible international students on F-1 visas to work temporarily in the United States in jobs related to their field of study. Most students can receive up to 12 months of post-completion OPT, while graduates in qualifying STEM fields may be eligible for an additional 24-month extension.
Although the proposed fees would initially be paid by educational institutions, the proposed rule would allow universities to recover the costs from students, employers or other sources. The proposal therefore could increase the financial burden associated with obtaining post-graduation work opportunities in the US.
DHS said the measure is intended to combat fraud and abuse within the OPT system, strengthen immigration enforcement and protect American workers. The department has argued that the fee would encourage institutions to conduct more thorough checks before recommending students for the programme.
The proposal has drawn concern from higher-education and international-education organisations, which warn that the high cost could discourage international students from studying in the United States and affect industries that rely on international graduates, particularly in STEM fields.
The proposed rule is not yet law. It must go through a public-comment process before DHS can consider finalising it, and the measure could also face legal challenges. Students whose OPT recommendations are made before any final rule takes effect would not be subject to the proposed new fees.
