Public Comment Period Ends for Proposed OPT Fee Hike

The public comment period concludes today, November 9, 2026, for a proposed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule. This rule would substantially increase fees for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, suggesting universities pay $70,000 for initial authorization and $30,000 for extensions for international students. The closure of this period marks a key step before a final decision on the controversial fee structure.