U.S. Department of Homeland Security Proposes New Fees for International Student Optional Practical Training

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking on October 10, 2026, to introduce new fees for international students participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT). The proposal suggests a $70,000 fee for schools for the first OPT recommendation and an additional $30,000 for each subsequent recommendation. Four higher education groups have criticized the method used to propose these changes.