Trump Administration Proposes $70,000 Fee for Foreign Students Seeking US Work Experience
By Fact Harbour News
The administration of United States President Donald Trump has proposed a new $70,000 fee for international students seeking to participate in a programme that allows them to gain work experience in the United States after or during their studies.
The proposed measure by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) targets the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows eligible foreign students holding F-1 visas to undertake employment related to their fields of study.
The proposal could affect students from Nigeria and other countries who study in the United States and hope to gain professional experience before returning home or seeking longer-term employment opportunities.
Under the proposed rule, US educational institutions would be required to pay $70,000 for a student’s initial participation in OPT, while a further $30,000 fee could apply for subsequent participation or extensions. The proposed charges represent a substantial increase from the current cost associated with the programme.
The proposal does not mean that Nigerian students would personally be required to hand over $70,000 to the US government. Instead, the financial obligation would fall on participating educational institutions. However, universities and colleges have warned that such a large institutional cost could make schools less willing to support international students seeking OPT opportunities.
OPT is particularly important to international graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields because eligible STEM graduates can receive additional work authorisation beyond the standard post-study period.
For many international students, OPT also provides an opportunity to obtain practical experience and potentially transition into employment under the H-1B visa programme.
The DHS said the proposed fee is intended to address what it considers fraud and misuse of the OPT system, strengthen the integrity of the immigration process and protect American workers. The department has argued that the programme has been abused by some employers as a source of relatively inexpensive foreign labour.
The proposed rule comes as the Trump administration continues to tighten policies affecting foreign workers and international students. The administration has also maintained a separate $100,000 payment requirement affecting certain H-1B workers entering the United States from abroad, although that measure has faced legal challenges.
The latest proposal has generated concern among higher education organisations and businesses that depend on international students and skilled foreign graduates.
Education advocates argue that international students contribute to American universities and the wider economy, particularly in fields where employers require specialised technical skills. They have warned that imposing very high costs could discourage talented students from choosing US universities.
The proposed OPT fee is also likely to become a subject of legal scrutiny. Previous immigration-related fee and restriction measures introduced by the Trump administration have faced lawsuits, with courts blocking some of the policies.
The proposed rule is currently subject to public comment and is not yet in force. DHS has indicated that, if finalised, the rule would take effect after an implementation period to give universities, students and employers time to prepare.
For Nigerian students already studying in the United States or considering applying to American universities, the development could become significant if the proposal is eventually approved. Universities may reassess their willingness to sponsor or facilitate OPT participation because of the financial burden involved.
The proposal therefore adds another layer of uncertainty for international students seeking to study and build early-career experience in the United States.
The final impact on Nigerian students will depend on whether the DHS proposal is adopted, modified or challenged in court during the rule-making process.
