Trump Administration Proposes $100,000 Levy on International Student Post-Grad Visas

Regulatory Target Shifting to OPT Program

In a move that seeks to reshape the financial requirements for foreign professionals, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is weighing a $100,000 fee for international graduates utilizing the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. As reported by The Wall Street Journal, this high-cost threshold would target the extension of F-1 student visas, which currently allow foreign nationals to gain work experience in their field of study for one to three years post-graduation.

The proposal surfaces as an alternative strategy after federal courts invalidated a previous attempt by the Trump administration to impose an identical $100,000 fee on H-1B specialty occupation visas. Technology firms, who rely heavily on recruiting talent from American universities, had voiced strong opposition to the H-1B levy.

Impact on the U.S. Talent Pipeline

Data from 2024 reveals the scale of the program in question, showing approximately 419,000 foreign nationals actively working under OPT status. The program serves as a primary incentive for international students choosing American higher education. Observers note that without the OPT pathway, graduates would be compelled to exit the country immediately upon finishing their degrees, shifting their acquired skills to foreign markets.