$70,000 Fee for OPT in the U.S.: What Will Change for F-1 Students?

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released a proposed rule that would impose new fees on international students planning to work in the U.S. after graduation. This pertains to the OPT program. The proposed fees are many times higher than the current application fees. Travelobiz reports on this.

How much will you have to pay, who will be affected by the changes, and is this a final decision? We’ll cover all of that in this article.

Are you planning to study in the U.S. and want to estimate the costs of OPT in advance?

An education lawyer from the Visit World portal can help you navigate the current and proposed rules and prepare your documents.

What is the $70,000 OPT fee, and who does it apply to?

The $70,000 fee is a proposed DHS charge for an initial recommendation to participate in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. It is intended to apply to eligible F-1 visa students who wish to obtain OPT authorization after completing their studies in the U.S. The fee will apply to recommendations issued after the rule takes effect. The draft document was published on October 7, 2026.

The OPT program allows F-1 visa holders to gain practical work experience in the United States after graduation. The text of the proposal does not specify who exactly is required to pay the fee: the student personally or another party.

About moving to the U.S. in 2026, entry requirements, and immigration options—find out more at the link.

How much will OPT and STEM OPT cost under the new rules?

The DHS proposal establishes two fee tiers. The plan is to charge $70,000 for the first OPT authorization and $30,000 for each subsequent extension. The $30,000 fee also applies to STEM OPT extensions and other subsequent authorizations to participate in the program. Thus, each new phase of OPT participation will incur a separate fee.

Read also: The highest-paying professions in the U.S. in 2026. Who earns over $300,000 a year? 

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How much does it currently cost to apply for OPT (Form I-765)?

Today, OPT applications are submitted using Form I-765. According to the USCIS fee schedule, the standard fee is $470 for online filing and $520 for a paper application. Students can also expedite the processing of their OPT or STEM OPT application by filing Form I-907. As of March 1, 2026, this service costs $1,780 in addition to the standard fee.

Current OPT application fees:

• Form I-765 online: $470;
• Form I-765 (paper application): $520;
• expedited processing via Form I-907: $1,780 (payable in addition to the standard fee).

The Best U.S. Cities to Work In 2026 — listed here.

Will the OPT Fee Take Effect: DHS Proposal Status

The OPT fee is currently in the proposal stage and is not yet in effect. The proposed regulations are scheduled to be published in the Federal Register, after which a 30-day public comment period will begin. A preliminary version of the document is already available for review. The U.S. government will make a final decision on implementing the fee only after this process is complete.

To take effect, the fee must go through the full federal rulemaking process and receive official approval. Even if adopted, the rule may face legal challenges.

By the way, starting nowthe U.S. will require public social media accounts for I, TN, and TD visas.

How might the OPT fee affect international students in the U.S.?

The proposed fee could significantly increase the cost of hiring international graduates in the U.S. If mandatory fees are implemented, universities and employers may think more carefully about whether to support such professionals. For some prospective students, studying in the United States may become less attractive, as the costs associated with finding employment after graduation could rise significantly.

Important! Students planning to study or work in the U.S. under the OPT program should assess the potential costs and requirements in advance. An education lawyer from the Visit World portal will help you navigate current and proposed regulations, evaluate your options, and prepare your application materials.

Schedule a consultation on the Visit World website and plan your studies abroad with the latest changes in mind!

Reminder! In our previous article, we discussed the cost of living in the U.S. in 2026.

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