DHS Proposes $70,000 Fee for International Student Work

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a $70,000 fee that universities would need to pay for each student enrolled in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows eligible international students to work in their field of study during or after their degree. This proposal could significantly impact Nigerian and other foreign students seeking work experience in the United States.

The fee would cover the initial application, with a $30,000 charge for any renewal. DHS stated that the fee aims to address fraud and abuse within the OPT program, which it described as a "pipeline for cheap foreign labour." Fanta Aw, chief executive of NAFSA, emphasized the program's practical benefits for students and employers.

Doug Rand, a former senior adviser at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, criticized the steep fees as an ineffective solution.

The public has 60 days to comment on the proposal before DHS finalizes the rule, which is part of a broader effort to tighten immigration rules for international students.