US Proposes $70,000 Fee for Nigerian Students' OPT

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a $70,000 fee for international graduates, including Nigerian students, participating in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme. This fee would apply to each student's initial participation, with a subsequent $30,000 fee for renewals.

The proposal aims to enhance oversight of the international student immigration system and address concerns regarding fraud and abuse within the OPT programme. Although the fees would be charged to educational institutions rather than directly to students, the financial burden could lead universities to reconsider their support for OPT participation.

The OPT programme allows eligible F-1 international students to gain temporary employment related to their academic field for up to 12 months, with a potential 24-month extension for STEM graduates. The proposed fees are part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to tighten immigration controls and have raised concerns among higher education stakeholders about the implications for international students.