The Trump administration is weighing a plan to charge international students $100,000 to stay in the country and work after graduating, according to people familiar with the matter, in a potentially devastating move for student visa holders already squeezed by recent immigration crackdowns.
The fee would be attached to a program called Optional Practical Training, or OPT, which allows international university graduates to work for up to three years in fields related to their studies. The proposal, which was first reported by The Wall Street Journal, represents one of the most significant restrictions on legal immigration pathways considered by the administration to date.
A White House official said there was no imminent policy change, but didn’t deny the proposal was under consideration. The person familiar with the matter spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, indicating that the proposal is still in the discussion phase within the administration.
If enacted, the fee would significantly advance President Trump’s efforts to restrict nearly all forms of legal immigration. The move would particularly harm universities, which rely on recruiting international students as a reliable source of revenue, as well as top Silicon Valley and Wall Street firms, which disproportionately hire international college graduates to fill technical roles.
The proposed measure could diminish the appeal of studying in the United States for foreign students, who have long been a crucial part of American higher education. International students contribute billions of dollars annually to the US economy through tuition fees, living expenses, and related spending, while also filling critical gaps in STEM fields where American graduates are in short supply.
Should this fee be implemented, it would greatly bolster President Trump’s initiatives to limit almost all types of legal immigration. The administration has already imposed a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas for skilled workers, a move that took effect in September 2025 and has significantly reduced applications from foreign tech workers.
Optional Practical Training visas allow recent graduates to work in the US for one to three years so long as it’s directly tied to their area of study. The program has been particularly important for students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, with many using OPT as a pathway to eventually obtain H-1B work visas.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said no policy should be considered final until it’s formally announced but that the department was “always having conversations” about how to “protect the integrity of our legal immigration system.” The agency has not provided specifics on what changes might be forthcoming.
The proposal comes amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to prioritise American workers and reduce what it views as excessive reliance on foreign labour. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has repeatedly emphasised the need to “train Americans” rather than depend on skilled foreign workers, a message that has resonated with the administration’s base.
Universities across the United States have expressed concern about the potential impact of such a fee on international student enrollment. Many institutions have become increasingly dependent on international students to offset declining domestic enrollment and rising operational costs. A $100,000 fee would effectively eliminate OPT opportunities for all but the wealthiest international graduates, fundamentally altering the calculus for prospective students considering American universities.
The technology sector, which has been a major employer of OPT participants, has also raised alarms about the proposal. Industry groups have warned that restricting access to international talent could hamper innovation and competitiveness, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence, software development, and advanced manufacturing where the US faces a shortage of qualified domestic workers.
The administration’s consideration of the fee follows a pattern of increasingly restrictive immigration policies that have characterized Trump’s second term. In addition to the H-1B visa fee, the administration has implemented various measures to reduce legal immigration, including tighter visa screening procedures, reduced refugee admissions, and enhanced enforcement of immigration laws.
Critics of the proposal argue that it would damage America’s position as a global destination for talent and education. They point out that many international students who come to the US eventually become entrepreneurs, researchers, and leaders who contribute significantly to American innovation and economic growth.
The timing of the proposal is also significant, coming as universities prepare for the fall 2026 academic year. Many institutions have already reported declines in international student applications due to uncertainty around immigration policies, and a $100,000 fee would likely accelerate this trend.
International education advocates have called on the administration to reconsider the proposal, emphasising the mutual benefits that come from attracting global talent to American campuses. They argue that rather than imposing barriers, the US should be working to maintain its competitive advantage in higher education and research.
The debate over the OPT fee reflects broader tensions within the Republican Party and the Trump administration about the role of immigration in the American economy. While some officials emphasise the need to protect American jobs, others recognise the importance of international talent to key industries and the broader economy.
As the administration continues to deliberate on the proposal, universities, students, and industry groups are closely monitoring developments, aware that any final decision could have far-reaching implications for the future of international education in the United States.
