The bar for studying, interning, and working in the United States has been raised. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced this morning that it plans to add a fee for OPT, the work authorization program for international students in the U.S. For a student’s first application, the school would have to pay the U.S. government $70,000; each subsequent application would cost $30,000.
The U.S. government believes OPT was originally intended only for short-term internships related to a student’s field of study, but has now become a loophole allowing foreign nationals to stay and work in the U.S. after studying there.
If left unchecked, the program could put pressure on employment prospects for U.S. graduates. The added fees are intended to discourage universities from recommending foreign students and, in turn, free up jobs for Americans.
That’s because many people who study in the U.S. currently use OPT to work for an American company for 12 months after graduating. During that time, the company can also enter them in the H-1B work visa lottery. Students in STEM fields can extend OPT by another 24 months, meaning they can stay in the U.S. for three years after graduation through this program.
Under the proposal, the students would not pay the fee—the accredited schools would. A school would have to pay the U.S. government before it could recommend students for OPT through the system. If it did not pay, the immigration agency would not approve the work permits.
If the proposal takes effect, schools will most likely pass the cost on to students, for example by folding it into tuition or other fees. They could also simply issue fewer internship recommendations, leaving international students to return home after graduating in the U.S.
The U.S. government believes OPT was originally intended only for short-term internships related to a student’s field of study, but has now become a loophole allowing foreign nationals to stay and work in the U.S. after studying there.
If left unchecked, the program could put pressure on employment prospects for U.S. graduates. The added fees are intended to discourage universities from recommending foreign students and, in turn, free up jobs for Americans.
That’s because many people who study in the U.S. currently use OPT to work for an American company for 12 months after graduating. During that time, the company can also enter them in the H-1B work visa lottery. Students in STEM fields can extend OPT by another 24 months, meaning they can stay in the U.S. for three years after graduation through this program.
Under the proposal, the students would not pay the fee—the accredited schools would. A school would have to pay the U.S. government before it could recommend students for OPT through the system. If it did not pay, the immigration agency would not approve the work permits.
If the proposal takes effect, schools will most likely pass the cost on to students, for example by folding it into tuition or other fees. They could also simply issue fewer internship recommendations, leaving international students to return home after graduating in the U.S.