US proposes $70k fee for foreign student work permits, targeting OPT program

The US government has proposed charging $70,000 for initial Optional Practical Training (OPT) applications and $30,000 for extensions, a dramatic increase from current fees. This move, if enacted, would significantly restrict foreign student access to US work experience, potentially deterring international enrollment and impacting tech and STEM sectors reliant on foreign talent. The proposal is part of broader immigration restrictions and faces legislative and legal hurdles.