US jobs to become costly for Indian students post-study

The Trump administration is considering a $100,000 fee for all international graduates, around ₹87 lakh.

International students, especially Indian students planning to work in the United States after completing their studies, have received disappointing news. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the Trump administration is considering imposing a fee of $100,000 (approximately ₹87 lakh) on all international graduates who wish to work in the U.S. after completing their studies. This proposal could significantly increase the cost of studying in the U.S. for thousands of Indian students.

According to 'The Wall Street Journal (WSJ)', the Trump administration is considering imposing a $100,000 (approximately ₹87 lakh) fee on the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows international students to work in the U.S. after completing their studies. However, this proposal is still under consideration within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and no final decision has been made. If approved, this fee would apply to the OPT programme, which provides international students the opportunity to work in their field of study in the U.S. after completing their degree.

This proposal comes at a time when India has become the country with the highest number of international students in the U.S. According to the latest report, 3,63,019 Indian students were studying in the U.S. during the 2024-25 academic session, accounting for approximately 31 percent of the total international student community there.

During the same period, the number of Indian students participating in the OPT programme increased to 1,43,740, highlighting the importance of this programme for Indian students seeking employment after their studies. If the $100,000 fee is implemented, it could place a heavy financial burden on students aspiring to gain work experience in the U.S. after completing their studies and eventually secure permanent employment.

It is noteworthy that the Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows international students studying in the U.S. on an F-1 student visa to work in their field of study after completing their degree. Most students are allowed to work for up to 12 months under this programme. Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields receive an additional period, allowing them to work in the U.S. for up to 3 years. For many international students pursuing a master's in engineering, computer science, and other STEM fields, OPT is considered a crucial first step towards obtaining an H-1B work visa.

According to The Wall Street Journal, this proposal has emerged at a time when a federal appellate court recently blocked the Trump administration's attempt to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas. The report suggests that the administration is now considering whether a similar fee can be imposed on the OPT programme, as a large number of international students use this programme before obtaining an H-1B visa.

However, it is still unclear whether the $100,000 fee, if implemented, would be borne by the student, employer, or university. This proposal could affect not only students but also American universities and companies.

According to the WSJ report, many U.S. universities rely heavily on international students as they typically pay full tuition fees. Meanwhile, technology companies and financial institutions also recruit a large number of international students initially through OPT and later sponsor them for H-1B visas. If such a hefty fee is imposed, studying in the U.S. may become less attractive, and the number of international talents in these fields could decrease.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has clarified that no final decision has been made yet. In a conversation with WSJ, a department spokesperson stated that until a policy is formally announced, it should not be considered final. They mentioned that the department is considering various options to maintain the credibility and transparency of the U.S. Legal Immigration System. The report also states that DHS may introduce new rules related to comprehensive changes in the OPT programme by the end of this year.