The short answer
On October 8, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security proposed new fees that schools would pay to recommend F-1 students for Optional Practical Training. The headline number is $70,000 for an initial OPT recommendation and $30,000 for each later one, including the STEM OPT extension.
The most important fact: this is a proposal, not a rule. Nothing is charged today. Current OPT and STEM OPT applications, fees and processes are unchanged.
What the proposal would do
Under the proposed rule, the school, not the student, pays the fee before its international office can recommend OPT in SEVIS. DHS openly acknowledges that schools could pass the cost on to F-1 students, to all students, or to employers. DHS says the goal is to fight fraud and to discourage using OPT as a way around H-1B caps and wage rules.
The fee would sit on top of the normal I-765 filing fee students already pay to USCIS.
Who would and would not be affected
If finalized, the fee would apply only to OPT recommendations dated on or after the final rule's effective date. Students already working on OPT or STEM OPT, and students approved before that date, would not be charged for that OPT period.
The proposal also matters for later degrees. DHS asked for comments on whether the $70,000 initial fee should apply again when a student starts OPT at a higher degree level.
The timeline
- Oct 8, 2026: proposed rule published in the Federal Register.
- Nov 9, 2026: public comment period closes.
- Dec 7, 2026: comments on the related information collection close.
- After that: DHS must review comments. If it publishes a final rule, the fee would start 60 days later, so early 2027 at the very earliest.
Nov 9 is a comment deadline, not a filing cutoff. You do not need to rush an OPT application because of it.
What F-1 students should do now
- Keep following current OPT rules. File your I-765 within your normal window and keep reporting employment to your DSO.
- Ask your international office whether your school has a plan if the rule is finalized. Some schools are already preparing statements.
- Use your OPT time well. If OPT becomes more expensive for future students, employers may value candidates already authorized to work. Track your unemployment days with our OPT Unemployment Day Tracker.
- Follow official updates rather than social media rumors. We track this proposal on our Immigration Hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is the $70,000 OPT fee in effect? No. It is a proposed rule. No fee is charged under it today.
Do I have to pay $70,000 myself? The proposal charges schools, but schools could pass costs to students or employers. How each school would handle it is unknown.
Does it affect STEM OPT? As proposed, yes: a $30,000 fee would apply to later recommendations, including STEM OPT, dated after a final rule takes effect.
Should I file OPT before Nov 9? Nov 9 is the end of the comment period, not a fee start date. Follow your normal timeline and your DSO's advice.
Looking for OPT-friendly roles? Syncra's team matches you with employers that hire OPT and STEM OPT candidates, and applies on your behalf. Browse visa-friendly jobs or book a free consult.
Syncra Talent Solutions is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Confirm your situation with your DSO or a licensed immigration attorney.
Sources: National Law Review · Duke Visa Services · Yale OISS · Columbia ISSO
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