What the Fee Would Do
According to an insider, the Trump White House is considering imposing a $100,000 fee on foreign students who wish to remain in the United States for employment after earning their degrees - a decision that could severely harm those already facing tighter immigration rules. The source requested anonymity because the discussions were private. A White House representative said, "no immediate policy shift is planned," but did not refute that the idea is being discussed.
Should the fee take effect, many students would be unable to afford the widely used postgraduate visa extension. Known as Optional Practical Training, this program is central to the flow of global talent into the U.S., letting graduates temporarily remain to acquire job experience. The administration has specifically focused on OPT, arguing that it facilitates visa abuse and expired stays. The Institute of International Education reported that back in the fall, approximately 300,000 foreign students were utilizing OPT - that figure represents about 25% of all international students in America.
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The Wall Street Journal initially broke the news about this potential fee.
This plan represents yet another step by the administration to reduce the presence of foreign students at American universities.
This fee echoes a similar prior proposal to add a $100,000 charge to H-1B visas, which have historically allowed U.S. companies to hire skilled foreign professionals, particularly in STEM fields.
Optional Practical Training has become a critical pathway for many international students, especially those in STEM fields, to gain professional experience in the U.S. prior to pursuing H-1B visas or returning home. Universities often rely on foreign enrollment to support programs, and tech companies depend on this talent pool. The proposed fee and recent visa restrictions threaten to make the U.S. a less attractive destination for global students, potentially driving them to competing countries like Canada or Australia. International students contribute billions of dollars each year to the U.S. economy, and many institutions rely on this revenue to fund research and maintain course offerings.
In recent years, Canada has introduced a post-graduation work permit program that allows graduates to work for up to three years, while the United Kingdom has reinstated a two-year post-study work visa. These policies have significantly boosted their appeal among international students, many of whom now view the U.S. as increasingly unwelcoming.
The proposed fee comes amid a broader shift in U.S. immigration policy that has increasingly targeted both temporary and permanent work visas. Critics argue that the fee would disproportionately harm students from developing countries who already struggle with high tuition costs, while supporters contend it would deter visa overstays and protect American jobs.
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