US Proposes $70,000 OPT Fee for Nigerians, Other Foreign Students

US Proposes $70,000 OPT Fee for Nigerians, Other Foreign Students

The administration of US President Donald Trump has proposed a $70,000 fee for international students seeking to participate in a programme that allows them to work in the United States after completing their studies.

The proposed rule by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) targets the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme available to eligible foreign students on F-1 visas, including Nigerians studying in the US.

Under the proposal, US educational institutions would be required to pay $70,000 for each student’s initial OPT participation, while an additional $30,000 fee would apply for each renewal or further training.

The proposal does not initially require students themselves to pay the $70,000 directly. Instead, the financial obligation would fall on the schools recommending students for OPT, although education groups warn that the cost could ultimately affect students and universities.

The OPT programme allows eligible international students to obtain temporary work experience in jobs related to their fields of study. Most students can participate for up to one year after graduation, while graduates in qualifying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields can receive an additional two years.

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DHS said the proposed fees are intended to combat fraud, strengthen the integrity of the immigration system and protect US workers.

The department has also argued that OPT has been misused as a source of cheap foreign labour and that the proposed fees would encourage universities to exercise greater scrutiny when recommending students for the programme.

The proposed charge represents a sharp increase from the current cost associated with OPT applications, which is around $500.

The plan could have significant implications for international students from countries such as Nigeria, India and China, whose graduates make substantial use of OPT, particularly in technology and other specialised fields.

American universities and business groups have raised concerns that the proposed fee could discourage international students from studying in the US and make it harder for companies to recruit skilled graduates.

Education groups have also warned that the measure could affect American universities that rely on international enrolment for tuition revenue and employers that depend on foreign graduates to fill specialised positions.

The proposal is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to tighten US immigration policies and impose greater restrictions on foreign students and workers.

The DHS proposal is subject to a public comment period before it can be finalised. If approved, the rule would take effect after an additional implementation period, while legal challenges are also expected.

The proposed OPT fee is separate from other changes to the H-1B visa programme, which has also faced increased costs and restrictions under the Trump administration.

US Proposes $70,000 OPT Fee for Nigerians, Other Foreign Students