The Donald Trump administration is considering charging international graduates USD 100,000 for a chance to obtain post-graduation employment in the United States, reports suggest. According to a Wall Street Journal report, America may require foreign university graduates to pay the whopping amount for access to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme. This move could significantly raise the cost of studying in the United States for Indian students, who make up the largest international student community in the country.While the proposal has not been officially announced, it has already sparked concern among universities, employers and students because of the central role OPT plays in helping foreign graduates transition from education to employment.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-avoids-higher-us-tariff-secures-lower-10-rate-here-s-how-1784854529326">India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how</a><h2>Why should Indian students care?</h2>India sent 3,63,019 students to the US during the 2024-25 academic year, according to the Institute of International Education's Open Doors 2025 Report, making it the largest source of international students in the country.More importantly, 39 per cent of those students were on Optional Practical Training, meaning roughly 1.4 lakh Indian graduates were working in the US after completing their studies.If a USD 100,000 (around ₹95 lakh at current exchange rates) fee is introduced, Indian students could become one of the groups most heavily affected simply because they are the largest users of the programme.<h2>What exactly is OPT?</h2>OPT allows international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after graduation in jobs related to their degree.Most graduates can work for up to one year, while students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields can remain employed for up to three years.For many Indians, OPT is not just a temporary work permit. It is the bridge between a US degree and an H-1B skilled worker visa, which many hope will eventually lead to long-term employment.According to official data cited by WSJ, approximately 419,000 international graduates were working via the OPT pathway in 2024.<h2>How could this change affect Indian students?</h2>A USD 100,000 charge would fundamentally alter the economics of studying in America.Many Indian families already spend tens of lakhs of rupees on tuition and living expenses. Adding another USD 100,000 could put the post-study work option out of reach for many students.It could also discourage prospective applicants from choosing US universities in favour of countries such as Canada, Australia, the UK or Germany, where post-study work pathways are generally less expensive.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/anthropic-reveals-india-is-claude-ai-s-no-2-market-but-what-are-indians-actually-using-the-ai-for-wion-decodes-1785394109668">Anthropic reveals India is Claude AI's No. 2 market. But what are Indians actually using the AI for? | WION Decodes</a><h2>Could universities and companies lose out too?</h2>The impact would extend beyond students. US universities depend heavily on international students, who often pay full tuition fees. A sharp decline in enrolment could hurt university finances.American technology and finance companies may also face challenges. Many rely on OPT to recruit skilled graduates before sponsoring them for H-1B visas. A steep fee could shrink that talent pipeline.<h2>Is the proposal final?</h2>No. According to the report, the Trump administration is still weighing the proposal, and no official policy has been announced.&nbsp;The reported move comes after the administration faced legal setbacks over a separate attempt to impose a similar USD 100,000 levy on certain H-1B visa applicants.For now, Indian students planning to study in the US need not panic. But if the proposal eventually becomes policy, it could reshape the cost-benefit calculation for thousands of students hoping to build a career in America.

The Trump administration is reportedly considering charging international graduates USD 100,000 for access to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme. This could dramatically increase the cost of studying in the US and disproportionately affect Indian students. Here's why.

The Donald Trump administration is considering charging international graduates USD 100,000 for a chance to obtain post-graduation employment in the United States, reports suggest. According to a Wall Street Journal report, America may require foreign university graduates to pay the whopping amount for access to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme. This move could significantly raise the cost of studying in the United States for Indian students, who make up the largest international student community in the country. While the proposal has not been officially announced, it has already sparked concern among universities, employers and students because of the central role OPT plays in helping foreign graduates transition from education to employment. Also read | India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how Why should Indian students care? India sent 3,63,019 students to the US during the 2024-25 academic year, according to the Institute of International Education's Open Doors 2025 Report, making it the largest source of international students in the country. More importantly, 39 per cent of those students were on Optional Practical Training, meaning roughly 1.4 lakh Indian graduates were working in the US after completing their studies. If a USD 100,000 (around ₹95 lakh at current exchange rates) fee is introduced, Indian students could become one of the groups most heavily affected simply because they are the largest users of the programme. What exactly is OPT? OPT allows international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after graduation in jobs related to their degree. Most graduates can work for up to one year, while students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields can remain employed for up to three years. For many Indians, OPT is not just a temporary work permit. It is the bridge between a US degree and an H-1B skilled worker visa, which many hope will eventually lead to long-term employment. According to official data cited by WSJ, approximately 419,000 international graduates were working via the OPT pathway in 2024. How could this change affect Indian students? A USD 100,000 charge would fundamentally alter the economics of studying in America. Many Indian families already spend tens of lakhs of rupees on tuition and living expenses. Adding another USD 100,000 could put the post-study work option out of reach for many students. It could also discourage prospective applicants from choosing US universities in favour of countries such as Canada, Australia, the UK or Germany, where post-study work pathways are generally less expensive. Also read | Anthropic reveals India is Claude AI's No. 2 market. But what are Indians actually using the AI for? | WION Decodes Could universities and companies lose out too? The impact would extend beyond students. US universities depend heavily on international students, who often pay full tuition fees. A sharp decline in enrolment could hurt university finances. American technology and finance companies may also face challenges. Many rely on OPT to recruit skilled graduates before sponsoring them for H-1B visas. A steep fee could shrink that talent pipeline. Is the proposal final? No. According to the report, the Trump administration is still weighing the proposal, and no official policy has been announced. The reported move comes after the administration faced legal setbacks over a separate attempt to impose a similar USD 100,000 levy on certain H-1B visa applicants. For now, Indian students planning to study in the US need not panic. But if the proposal eventually becomes policy, it could reshape the cost-benefit calculation for thousands of students hoping to build a career in America.

The Trump administration is reportedly considering charging international graduates USD 100,000 for access to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme. This could dramatically increase the cost of studying in the US and disproportionately affect Indian students. Here's why.

Trump to charge foreign students $100,000 for a shot at a US job? Here's why Indian students should be worried

The Donald Trump administration on Thursday (Dec 4) sharply reduced the duration refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants can hold valid work permits in the US. The government has dramatically reduced the period from five years to 18 months. This change marks the latest step in the administration's sweeping immigration crackdown. The decision came just two days after the government halted immigration applications for citizens from 19 countries that are already under travel restrictions.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-president-benjamin-netanyahu-shrugs-off-zohran-mamdani-s-threat-to-enforce-icc-arrest-warrant-says-he-ll-visit-nyc-anyway-1764826042335">Netanyahu shrugs off Mamdani's threat to enforce ICC arrest warrant, says he'll visit NYC anyway</a><h2>Eliminating threat to 'public safety'</h2>Joseph Edlow, director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), said that the Washington shooting of two National Guard members was a key factor behind the shift. Two US National Guard soldiers were critically injured on Wednesday (Nov 26) in a targeted shooting just blocks from the White House. An Afghan man who arrived in the United States through a resettlement program after the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan was arrested over the shooting. One of the National Guard members succumbed to her injuries later.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/sabrina-carpenter-blasts-white-house-after-her-song-juno-pops-up-in-ice-s-evil-and-disgusting-video-1764749443308">Sabrina Carpenter blasts White House after her song 'Juno' pops up in ICE's 'evil and disgusting' video</a>Edlow said that shorter work permit durations would allow more frequent security reviews and help ensure that people authorised to work in the country do not pose a threat. ""Reducing the maximum validity period for employment authorisation will&nbsp;ensure that those seeking to work in the United States do not threaten public safety or promote harmful anti-American ideologies."He added that the attack underscored the need for tighter and more regular vetting. "After the attack on National Guard service members in our nation's capital by an alien who was admitted into this country by the previous administration, it's even more clear that USCIS must conduct frequent vetting of aliens."<h2>Will you be affected by the US work permit reduction?</h2>The new limit will apply broadly to refugees, individuals who have been granted asylum and migrants whose deportations have been postponed by the government.

Trump cuts migrant work permits from five years to 18 months, tightening immigration rules days after freezing applications from 19 countries. 

The Donald Trump administration on Thursday (Dec 4) sharply reduced the duration refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants can hold valid work permits in the US. The government has dramatically reduced the period from five years to 18 months. This change marks the latest step in the administration's sweeping immigration crackdown. The decision came just two days after the government halted immigration applications for citizens from 19 countries that are already under travel restrictions. Also read | Netanyahu shrugs off Mamdani's threat to enforce ICC arrest warrant, says he'll visit NYC anyway Eliminating threat to 'public safety' Joseph Edlow, director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), said that the Washington shooting of two National Guard members was a key factor behind the shift. Two US National Guard soldiers were critically injured on Wednesday (Nov 26) in a targeted shooting just blocks from the White House. An Afghan man who arrived in the United States through a resettlement program after the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan was arrested over the shooting. One of the National Guard members succumbed to her injuries later. Also read | Sabrina Carpenter blasts White House after her song 'Juno' pops up in ICE's 'evil and disgusting' video Edlow said that shorter work permit durations would allow more frequent security reviews and help ensure that people authorised to work in the country do not pose a threat. ""Reducing the maximum validity period for employment authorisation will ensure that those seeking to work in the United States do not threaten public safety or promote harmful anti-American ideologies." He added that the attack underscored the need for tighter and more regular vetting. "After the attack on National Guard service members in our nation's capital by an alien who was admitted into this country by the previous administration, it's even more clear that USCIS must conduct frequent vetting of aliens." Will you be affected by the US work permit reduction? The new limit will apply broadly to refugees, individuals who have been granted asylum and migrants whose deportations have been postponed by the government.

Trump cuts migrant work permits from five years to 18 months, tightening immigration rules days after freezing applications from 19 countries.&nbsp;

Trump tightens immigration again, cuts refugee work permits to just 18 months

us-work-permit

Us Work Permit, News on Us Work Permit, stories on Us Work Permit, articles on Us Work Permit, Us Work Permit stories at Wion, Us Work Permit news, Us Work Permit latest news

us work-permit

Trump to charge foreign students $100,000 for a shot at a US job? Here's why Indian students should be worried

Trump tightens immigration again, cuts refugee work permits to just 18 months