The short answer
Two DHS proposals that would affect international students and visa workers close for public comment within days: the $70,000 OPT fee on November 9 and the removal of the 60-day grace period for H-1B and other workers on November 10. Anyone can submit a comment for free, and agencies are legally required to consider them.
What's closing, and what each would do
| Proposal | Comment closes | What it would do |
|---|---|---|
| OPT fee (docket ICEB-2026-0100) | Nov 9, 2026 | $70,000 for a school to recommend initial OPT, $30,000 for later recommendations including STEM OPT |
| Worker grace period (docket USCIS-2026-0364) | Nov 10, 2026 | Remove the up-to-60-day grace period after a job ends for H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN and E workers |
Neither is in effect. Both are proposals in the rulemaking process.
How to submit a comment
- Go to regulations.gov and search the docket number above.
- Click "Comment" on the proposed rule.
- Write your comment and submit. There is no fee and no account needed for a basic submission.
- Save your receipt or tracking number.
What makes a comment count
Agencies weigh substance, not volume. A form letter copied by a thousand people counts far less than a specific account of real-world impact. Useful comments:
- Describe your own situation concretely. What would the fee or the removed grace period mean for you, your school or your employer, with numbers where you have them.
- Point to a specific part of the proposal and explain why it does not work as written.
- Suggest an alternative rather than only objecting.
- Stay factual and civil. Insults get discarded.
Comments are public. Your name and anything you write can be read by anyone, so leave out your A-number, SEVIS ID and other personal identifiers.
Who else is commenting
University international offices, higher education associations and bar associations have filed comments opposing the OPT fee, including a joint comment from AILA and the American Immigration Council filed on November 6 urging DHS to withdraw it. Your individual comment adds a perspective those organizations cannot provide: your own.
FAQ
Will commenting hurt my immigration case? Public comments are a normal part of US rulemaking and are not an immigration filing. If you have concerns, you can comment anonymously or through an organization.
Does commenting stop the rule? No. Agencies must consider comments but can still finalize a rule. Comments can shape the final text and can matter in later litigation.
What happens after the deadline? DHS reviews comments and may publish a final rule. The OPT fee proposal says the rule would take effect 60 days after a final rule is published.
Need a job while all this plays out? Syncra matches OPT and STEM OPT candidates with employers hiring now. Browse visa-friendly jobs.
Syncra Talent Solutions is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.
Sources: Klasko Immigration Law Partners · Boundless · AILA · Dallas Express
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