Trump Administration Proposes $70,000 Fee for Student Work Program
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
The Trump administration is proposing a new $70,000 fee for foreign students participating in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program in the U.S. This fee, which educational institutions would pay and could pass on to students or employers, aims to protect American jobs and prevent program abuse. The change could impact thousands of Israeli students seeking work experience in the U.S. after graduation. The Department of Homeland Security stated the fee is necessary to prevent the program from becoming a source of cheap foreign labor.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The Trump administration proposes a $70,000 fee for foreign students in the OPT work program.
- Universities would pay the fee, but could pass costs to students or employers.
- The program allows temporary work in the U.S. for foreign graduates in their field.
- Thousands of Israelis studying in the U.S. could be affected by the new fee.
- The Department of Homeland Security cites protecting American workers and combating fraud as reasons for the proposal.
- The fee is intended to prevent the OPT program from being used for cheap foreign labor.
The Trump administration is proposing a significant increase in the cost for foreign students to participate in a program that allows them to temporarily work in the U.S. in their field of study. The Department of Homeland Security has submitted a plan to implement a $70,000 fee per participant. This new regulation could affect thousands of Israelis studying at American universities who hope to gain professional experience after graduation, according to Ynet.
The program in question is Optional Practical Training (OPT), which grants F-1 visa holders temporary work authorization in their specialty. Participants can engage in OPT during their studies or after graduation, typically for up to 12 months. Graduates in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) can apply for a 24-month extension.
Under the new proposal, universities would be required to pay $70,000 for each student they recommend for OPT. An additional $30,000 fee would be charged for extensions, potentially bringing the total cost for a student using the program and its extension to $100,000. While educational institutions would be responsible for the initial payment, they would be permitted to pass the costs onto students or employers, a scenario Ynet expects to occur.
For Israeli graduates seeking work experience in the U.S. before returning home, this fee would represent a substantial additional expense on top of tuition and living costs. If students must pay themselves, the funds would be needed before they can even secure a work permit. If employers are expected to cover the costs, it might reduce their willingness to hire recent graduates.
Approximately 3,000 Israelis were enrolled in U.S. universities or participating in post-graduation work programs during the 2024/25 academic year, Ynet reported. The fee would be levied during the application process, requiring payment before a university can recommend a student. Without this recommendation, a formal application to U.S. immigration services for work authorization cannot be submitted, and the application would be denied without payment.
The Department of Homeland Security stated the initiative aims to "protect American workers and combat fraud." The department argued that the OPT program was not intended as a loophole for entering the U.S. labor market, subsidizing cheap labor, or rewarding those who abuse the system. They claim to have identified instances of program misuse by institutions, employers, and students, including schemes to maintain visa status. The mandatory fee, they believe, will compel educational institutions to vet students more thoroughly before recommending them for OPT.
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