Proposed $70,000 OPT fee: not in effect, comments close Nov 9

DHS proposed charging schools $70,000 to recommend an F-1 student for initial OPT and $30,000 for each later recommendation, including STEM OPT. Schools could pass the cost to students or employers. This is a proposal only: current OPT and STEM OPT fees and processes are unchanged. Students already on OPT, or approved before any final rule takes effect, would not be charged. Public comments close Nov 9, 2026; a final rule would take effect 60 days after publication.