US Proposes $70,000 Initial OPT Fee and $30,000 for Later Recommendations
The DHS proposal would charge participating schools, not automatically every current student, and remains open for public comments.
Official development
The US Department of Homeland Security published a proposal in the Federal Register on October 8, 2026 to introduce new fees for Optional Practical Training, a work-authorization pathway used by eligible F-1 international students. The proposed charges are $70,000 for an initial OPT recommendation and $30,000 for subsequent recommendations. The rule is a proposal, not an enacted fee as of October 14.
What the rule says
The Federal Register text specifies that an SEVP-certified school would be required to pay the charge before a designated school official recommends an eligible student for OPT. It is therefore inaccurate to tell students that US immigration authorities are already demanding they personally pay $70,000 today. Whether institutions could pass costs along indirectly is a separate potential consequence that requires further analysis.
Important distinctions
Comments on the proposal are due by November 9, 2026. The rulemaking includes a separate deadline for comments related to information collection. A proposal may be revised, delayed, challenged, or never finalized, so readers should distinguish a possible future policy from existing requirements.
Who may be affected
The agency argues that the fees would address abuse of the OPT program and better protect US workers. Critics, including affected students, universities and employers, may argue the scale could deter educational enrollment and restrict the pipeline of graduates entering American research and technology industries. The proposal's own cost analysis and public submissions will be important evidence.
Key dates and limits
Current students should continue using the official immigration process applicable to their case, consulting their school's international student adviser and USCIS instructions. Do not send money to organizations claiming they can 'reserve' a place under the proposed rule. A legitimate fee change would be published through official channels with specific effective dates.
Practical next steps
RecoupRev links to the full federal document so readers can examine the proposed applicability, school payment obligation and timeline. We will treat any final text as a distinct development if DHS formally adopts the measure.
Reporting sources & references
These links identify the reporting or public materials on which the article is based; they do not imply our newsroom witnessed the events.
Cite this report
RecoupRev Policy Research Desk. “US Proposes $70,000 Initial OPT Fee and $30,000 for Later Recommendations.” RecoupRev, October 14, 2026. https://recouprev.com/article/us-proposes-70-000-initial-opt-fee-and-30-000-for-later-recommendations-oct-2026