President Donald Trump’s administration has proposed a $70,000 fee for initial Optional Practical Training (OPT) participation and $30,000 for each subsequent recommendation, potentially affecting Nigerian students and other international students seeking work experience in the United States.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the proposal on Wednesday, October 7, saying it was intended to strengthen immigration controls, address alleged abuse and protect American workers.
Under the proposed rule, colleges and universities certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) would be responsible for paying the fees before recommending eligible F-1 students for OPT.
However, DHS acknowledged that institutions could pass the financial burden to students or employers.
What the proposed OPT fees cover
OPT is temporary employment authorisation that allows eligible F-1 students to undertake work directly related to their major field of study.
The proposed charges concern participation in that programme. They would not constitute a general $70,000 fee for obtaining an F-1 student visa.
| OPT recommendation | Proposed fee per student | Responsible institution |
|---|---|---|
| Initial OPT recommendation | $70,000 | SEVP-certified college or university |
| Each subsequent OPT recommendation | $30,000 | SEVP-certified college or university |
One initial recommendation followed by one subsequent recommendation would therefore attract a combined $100,000 in proposed fees.
The charges are not yet in effect. Implementation would depend on the completion of the rulemaking process and publication of a final rule.
DHS cites fraud and worker protection
DHS said the proposal was designed to reduce what it described as the use of cheap foreign labour, improve opportunities for American workers and strengthen the integrity of the immigration system.
The department said SEVP had encountered alleged schemes involving schools, designated school officials, employers and international students exploiting existing regulations.
It identified problematic worksites and “pay-to-stay” visa arrangements among its concerns.
According to DHS, the proposed fees would encourage schools to scrutinise OPT requests more closely and exercise greater oversight before recommending students for the programme.
What it means for Nigerian students
Nigerian students seeking OPT under F-1 status would fall within the proposal’s scope, alongside eligible students from other countries. The measure is not presented as a Nigeria-specific restriction.
For affected students, the potential financial impact would depend partly on whether their institutions absorb the proposed charges or transfer the cost to students or employers.
Under existing procedures, eligible students must obtain a recommendation from their designated school official and apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for employment authorisation.
The work must relate directly to the student’s field of study.
Public comments open October 8
DHS said it would accept public comments on the proposed rule from October 8 through November 9, 2026.
A separate 60-day comment period would apply to the information-collection requirements covered by the Paperwork Reduction Act.
The consultation will allow institutions, students, employers and other interested parties to submit their views before the department determines its next steps.
The full proposal is available in the Federal Register’s public-inspection document.
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