For decades, the prospect of earning a US degree followed by valuable work experience has attracted millions of international students to the United States. That pathway could soon become far more challenging, as the Donald Trump administration is considering a proposal to impose a USD 100,000 fee on international graduates seeking post-study work opportunities while also introducing stricter limits on how long student visa holders can remain in the country without additional government approval.
If implemented, these measures would represent one of the biggest changes to the US student visa system in recent years, affecting both post-graduation employment opportunities and the duration international students can stay in the country.
What is the USD 100,000 proposal?
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the proposed fee would apply to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme.
OPT allows international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their studies in a field related to their degree. Currently, most graduates can work for up to one year under the programme, while students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines are generally eligible for up to three years of work authorisation.
The programme serves as a bridge between higher education and professional employment, helping graduates gain work experience and, in many cases, transition to an H-1B work visa.
Under the proposal, the Trump administration is considering charging USD 100,000 (approximately Rs 95 lakh) for access to this opportunity.
The proposal remains under discussion within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and no final decision has been taken. Officials have also not decided whether the fee would be paid by the students themselves or by the employers hiring them.
If approved, it would become one of the most expensive requirements ever proposed for international graduates seeking employment in the United States.
Why does it matter?
For many international students, the opportunity to work after graduation is a key reason for investing significant sums in a US education. OPT enables graduates to recover part of those costs, gain international work experience and improve their chances of securing long-term employment.
A USD 100,000 fee could discourage employers from hiring international graduates if they are required to bear the cost. Alternatively, if students are expected to pay it, many may find it financially impossible.
Education experts and universities have warned that such a measure could reduce the appeal of the US as a destination for international students. Around 419,000 international graduates were employed under the OPT programme in 2024.
Another major change
The proposed OPT fee is not the only change under consideration. The US government has also finalised a rule that would alter how long international students are allowed to remain in the country while pursuing their studies.
For decades, students entered the US under a "duration of status" system, which allowed them to remain in the country for as long as they maintained full-time student status and complied with visa conditions, without a fixed departure date.
That system is now set to be replaced.
Under the proposed regulation, most international students would be permitted to stay in the US for a maximum of four years. Students enrolled in programmes such as PhDs, medical degrees or research courses that extend beyond four years would need to apply to the Department of Homeland Security for an extension before their authorised stay expires.
The same requirement would also apply to many exchange visitors and foreign journalists working in the United States.
The regulation still requires congressional approval before it can take effect.
Why is the US introducing these changes?
The Trump administration says the proposed measures are intended to strengthen immigration oversight and enhance national security.
A DHS spokesperson said that no policy should be considered final until it is formally announced, adding that the department is continuously evaluating ways to protect the integrity of the legal immigration system.
Over the past year, the administration has introduced several immigration-related measures, including stricter scrutiny of student visas and changes to the H-1B visa programme. Officials are also examining broader reforms to the OPT system, with additional proposals expected later this year.
What could this mean for Indian students?
Indian students make up one of the largest international student communities in the United States, with more than 3.3 lakh currently enrolled.
For those planning to study in the US, the proposed USD 100,000 OPT fee has not yet been approved, and the new four-year visa rule has also not come into force.
However, the proposals indicate a broader shift in US immigration policy.
For future international students, particularly those from India, the route from obtaining a US degree to building a career there could become costlier, more tightly regulated and increasingly uncertain.
