The United States Department of Homeland Security has proposed a $70,000 fee for schools sponsoring international students for work under the Optional Practical Training programme.
The proposed rule would affect foreign students, including Nigerians, on F-1 visas who seek to work in jobs related to their fields of study during or after their education in the US.
Under the proposal, schools would pay $70,000 for each student’s initial participation in the OPT programme and an additional $30,000 for each renewal.
OPT currently allows eligible international students to work for up to one year after graduation, while graduates in certain science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields can qualify for an additional two years.
The proposed fees are significantly higher than the current cost of participating in the programme, with international students currently paying about $500 in application fees.
The Department of Homeland Security said the proposed charges are intended to address fraud and abuse, strengthen the integrity of the immigration system and protect American workers.
The department said the fees would also encourage educational institutions to exercise greater oversight when recommending students for OPT.
The proposal has not yet taken effect. It is subject to a public comment period before the government decides whether to finalise the rule.
The proposed changes have drawn criticism from higher education and immigration groups, who warned that the cost could discourage international students from studying in the United States and affect industries that rely on foreign graduates.
The proposal comes amid broader efforts by President Donald Trump’s administration to tighten immigration rules and increase scrutiny of international students and foreign workers.
