DHS Proposed OPT Fee Rule 2026: $70,000 Initial Fee, $30,000 Subsequent Fee and Impact on Indian Students

Important: As of November 12, 2026, these additional fees have not taken effect. The proposal is not a final rule, and existing OPT application procedures and fees remain unchanged.

DHS Proposed OPT Fee Rule 2026: Key Highlights

What Is the DHS Proposed OPT Fee Rule?

The DHS proposed OPT fee rule is a regulatory proposal that would introduce substantial new fees for universities and other SEVP-certified institutions recommending international students for Optional Practical Training.

OPT is a temporary employment authorization available to eligible F-1 students for work directly related to their major area of study.

Currently, eligible students can generally receive up to 12 months of standard OPT. Students with qualifying science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) degrees may also qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension.

The proposed DHS rule would not simply raise the existing USCIS Form I-765 application fee. Instead, it would create a separate institutional fee associated with an OPT recommendation.

The proposal represents a potentially major financial change for universities, employers and international students.

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NAAC A++NIRF #2 (2025)Jawaharlal Nehru UniversityNew Delhi, DelhiAdmission: CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRFEst. 1969View detailsNAAC A++NIRF #4 (2025)Jamia Millia IslamiaNew Delhi, DelhiAdmission: CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRFEst. 1920 · 239 acresView detailsNAAC A++NIRF #5 (2025)University of DelhiNew Delhi, DelhiAdmission: CUET UG, CUET PG, JEE MainEst. 1922View detailsNAAC ANIRF #6 (2025)Banaras Hindu UniversityVaranasi, Uttar PradeshAdmission: CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRFEst. 1916View detailsNAAC A+NIRF #10 (2025)Aligarh Muslim UniversityAligarh, Uttar PradeshAdmission: CUET UG, NET/JRF, NEET UGEst. 1920View detailsNAAC A++NIRF #18 (2025)University of HyderabadHyderabad, TelanganaAdmission: CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRFEst. 1974View detailsNAAC ANIRF #37 (2025)Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar UniversityLucknow, Uttar PradeshAdmission: CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRFEst. 1996View detailsNAAC ANIRF #77 (2025)Central University of PunjabBathinda, PunjabAdmission: CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRFEst. 2009View detailsNAAC ANIRF #79 (2025)Tezpur UniversityTezpur, AssamAdmission: CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRFEst. 1994View detailsMZUNAAC ANIRF #82 (2025)Mizoram UniversityAizawl, MizoramAdmission: CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRFEst. 2000View details

DHS Proposed OPT Fee Structure: $70,000 and $30,000 Explained

1. Initial OPT Fee: $70,000

Under the proposed rule, an SEVP-certified institution would have to pay a one-time fee of $70,000 when recommending an F-1 student for OPT for the first time under the proposed framework.

This would apply to the student’s first qualifying OPT recommendation, whether it is for pre-completion or post-completion OPT.

The payment would need to be completed before the designated school official (DSO) makes the OPT recommendation.

2. Subsequent OPT Fee: $30,000

DHS also proposes a fee of $30,000 for subsequent qualifying OPT recommendations after the initial fee has been paid.

This may include a later period of post-completion OPT or a STEM OPT extension.

For example, if a university paid the proposed initial $70,000 fee for a student’s post-completion OPT, it could face a further $30,000 fee when recommending that student for a qualifying STEM OPT extension.

However, the exact treatment of existing OPT holders and transition cases would depend on the final regulation and its effective-date provisions.

Who Will Pay the New OPT Fees: Students, Universities or Employers?

One of the biggest questions about the DHS proposed OPT fee rule is who would actually be responsible for paying the proposed charges.

According to the October 8 Federal Register notice, the legal payment obligation would be placed on the SEVP-certified educational institution recommending the student for OPT.

However, DHS acknowledges that institutions may seek to recover these costs through different arrangements, potentially involving international students, employers or other funding sources, subject to applicable law.

This distinction is important. The proposal does not automatically require every student to personally pay $70,000 to USCIS.

Nevertheless, the possibility of universities passing along some or all of the financial burden has raised significant concerns about the affordability of studying and working in the United States.

How Will the Proposed OPT Fee Rule Affect Indian Students?

Indian students considering undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in the United States should closely monitor the proposed changes.

For many international students, the opportunity to obtain relevant work experience after graduation is an important factor when choosing a US university.

If the proposal is finalized in its current form, several possible consequences could emerge.

Higher Financial Pressure

Universities required to pay large OPT recommendation fees may face substantial additional costs. Some institutions could explore ways to recover part of these costs from students or employers.

Changes to University Selection

Prospective students may pay greater attention to an institution’s OPT support policies, funding arrangements and career services before accepting an admission offer.

Uncertainty for STEM Graduates

Students pursuing degrees in engineering, computer science, mathematics and other qualifying STEM disciplines may be particularly concerned about the proposed $30,000 fee for subsequent STEM OPT recommendations.

Potential Effects on Employment Opportunities

Universities or employers might become more selective about financially supporting OPT participation. However, the actual employment effects cannot be determined until any final rule is issued and implemented.

For Indian applicants: There is no immediate need to change admission or career plans solely because of this proposal. Students should follow official DHS updates and seek university-specific advice before making financial decisions.

Why Has DHS Proposed Such High OPT Fees?

In the proposed regulation, DHS states that its objective is to combat suspected fraud and abuse, strengthen immigration-system integrity and protect US workers.

The department argues that requiring institutions to make significant financial commitments could encourage greater scrutiny of OPT recommendations.

DHS also discusses the relationship between OPT participation and the costs associated with other employment-based immigration pathways.

However, these are the department’s stated policy justifications. The claims and expected benefits remain open to debate and evaluation during the rulemaking process.

Higher education organizations have expressed concerns that the proposal could undermine international education, reduce access to practical training and create substantial financial obstacles for universities and students.

Is the DHS Proposed OPT Fee Rule Approved or Effective?

No. As of November 12, 2026, the DHS proposed OPT fee rule is not in effect.

The proposal was published on October 8, 2026, under Federal Register citation 91 FR 64566.

The general public-comment period ended on November 9, 2026. A separate comment period concerning the proposed information collection remains scheduled through December 7, 2026.

Following the rulemaking process, DHS may finalize, modify or withdraw the proposal.

The October proposal contemplates a transition period under which a final regulation would take effect 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register.

However, that is a proposed timeline, not a confirmed implementation date.

Will Current OPT and STEM OPT Students Have to Pay $70,000?

Students who already hold OPT employment authorization should not assume that a $70,000 bill has become payable.

The proposed rule is designed to operate prospectively, with its new requirements connected to qualifying OPT recommendations made on or after the effective date of a future final regulation.

It does not establish an immediate retroactive charge for OPT authorization already issued.

Nevertheless, students approaching a new OPT recommendation or STEM extension should consult their designated school official to understand how any eventual transition rules could affect them.

Will the DHS OPT Fee Rule Affect Students Applying in 2027?

Students planning to begin or complete programmes in the United States during 2027 may be wondering whether the new OPT fee requirements will apply to them.

At present, no confirmed effective date exists for the proposed additional fees.

Whether a particular student would be affected will depend on the text of any final rule, the effective date, the student’s OPT recommendation timeline and applicable transition provisions.

Students should therefore avoid assuming either that the proposal will definitely become law or that it cannot affect their future studies.

What Should International Students Do Now?

1. Continue following existing rules: Current OPT and STEM OPT application procedures remain in place.
2. Speak with the university’s DSO: Ask how the institution is monitoring proposed regulatory changes.
3. Check application timelines: Follow existing USCIS filing windows and eligibility requirements.
4. Review official updates: Use Federal Register, DHS and USCIS announcements rather than social media speculation.
5. Plan finances cautiously: Avoid paying any unverified OPT fee demanded by an unofficial agent or intermediary.

DHS Proposed OPT Fee Rule 2026: Important Dates

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the DHS proposed OPT fee rule?

It is a proposal by the US Department of Homeland Security to introduce new fees for SEVP-certified institutions recommending F-1 international students for Optional Practical Training.

How much is the proposed initial OPT fee in 2026?

The proposed initial OPT recommendation fee is $70,000. This is not an effective fee as of November 12, 2026.

What is the proposed STEM OPT extension fee?

The proposed subsequent OPT recommendation fee is $30,000. Qualifying STEM OPT extensions are included within the proposed subsequent-fee framework.

Do Indian students have to pay $70,000 for OPT now?

No. The proposed new fee has not taken effect. The institutional payment requirement, if finalized, could involve cost recovery from students or other sources, but no immediate $70,000 payment obligation has been created by the proposal.

Is the DHS OPT fee rule final?

No. As of this article’s November 12, 2026 update, the rule remains a proposal rather than an effective final regulation.

When will the new OPT fees start?

There is no confirmed start date. The proposed rule envisages an effective date 60 days after publication of a final rule, but the final rule has not been issued.

Will the proposed rule affect F-1 students in 2027?

It could affect students receiving qualifying OPT recommendations after the effective date of any final regulation. The exact impact will depend on final provisions.

Does this proposal cancel the OPT programme?

No. The October 2026 proposed rule concerns additional fees for OPT recommendations. It does not itself abolish OPT.

Conclusion: What Happens Next?

The DHS proposed OPT fee rule 2026 is one of the most consequential proposed financial changes facing international students seeking practical training in the United States.

The proposed $70,000 initial fee and $30,000 subsequent fee could substantially change how universities support F-1 students participating in OPT and STEM OPT.

For Indian students, the most important point is that the proposal has not yet taken effect. Existing OPT procedures continue to apply while the rulemaking process proceeds.

Students and universities should monitor official government announcements before making decisions based on the proposed fee structure.

Editorial note: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes. It does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Regulatory requirements may change following publication of a final rule.