This proposal worries Telugu students already in the US and those planning to go. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) wants to charge a large fee for OPT, the work period F-1 students use after their studies. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on October 8.

What the proposal says

  • $70,000 for the first OPT period and $30,000 for any later period, including the STEM OPT extension.
  • The university would pay before recommending a student for OPT. DHS itself says schools may pass the cost on to students or employers.
  • DHS cites 194,554 OPT participants and 95,384 STEM OPT participants in 2024.

What happens now

This is only a proposal and is not in effect. Current OPT rules are unchanged. Anyone can comment on regulations.gov until November 9. A final decision comes only after that.

DHS says the fee would cut fraud and protect US workers. Universities may cut back OPT support for non-STEM courses if the fee goes through. Indian student arrivals in the US already fell 39% in August.