DHS Proposes $70,000 Fee for Foreign Student Work Program (OPT)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has proposed a new $70,000 fee for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows foreign students to work in the U.S. after graduation. The proposal also includes new regulations on work authorization. If enacted, this could significantly reduce the number of foreign students staying in the U.S., impacting tech and STEM sectors that rely on this talent pool.