Several reports say the Trump administration is weighing a proposal to charge international students $100,000 if they want to work in the United States after graduating. Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal, as cited by the Korea Times and South China Morning Post, describe the idea as being tied to “optional practical training” (OPT), a program that lets foreign graduates work for one to three years in jobs related to their field of study while remaining on student visas. South China Morning Post reports that a person familiar with the discussions spoke anonymously about internal deliberations. A White House official quoted by South China Morning Post says there is no imminent policy change, and does not confirm the proposal. The Independent and other outlets describe OPT as an extension that supports post-graduation employment for foreign-born students. Korea Times adds context that the consideration follows a Trump proclamation signed in September 2024 to impose an annual $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications for highly skilled foreign workers, and notes that an appeals court recently blocked a related action. The reports do not state when or whether the proposed fee would take effect.
Trump administration considers $100,000 fee for foreign students’ post-graduation work
Several reports say the Trump administration is weighing a proposal to charge international students $100,000 if they want to work in the United States after graduating. Bloomberg and the Wall Street...
- Reports say a potential $100,000 fee is being considered for foreign students seeking to work in the U.S. after graduation.
- The proposal is described as being linked to Optional Practical Training (OPT), which generally allows work for one to three years related to a graduate’s field of study.
- One report says a person familiar with the discussions spoke anonymously about internal deliberations.
- A White House official cited by one outlet says there is no imminent policy change and does not deny the proposal.
- At least one outlet links the consideration to a prior Trump move involving a $100,000 annual fee for H-1B visa applications and notes an appeals court block.
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is considering imposing a $100,000 fee on foreign students seeking to work in the United States after graduating from American universities, a news report said Thursday. The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that the administration is weighing the idea of attaching the fee to an "optional practical training (OPT)" program that allows foreign university graduates to work in the U.S. for one to three years on student visas. The proposed measure, if implemented, could affect U.S. universities keen on attracting foreign students, as well as Silicon Valley and Wall Street firms that hire international college graduates for technical posts, the newspaper said. According to the latest data available, there were about 419,000 foreigners working on OPT in 2024, it said. Consideration of the fee follows Trump's signing of a proclamation in September last year to impose a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B nonimmigrant visa applications for highly skilled foreign workers. Last week, a U.S. appeals court blocked
44 minutes agoOptional Practical Training visas give foreign-born recent graduates a one-to-three-year extension to work in the US in a job related to their area of study
2 hours agoThe Trump administration is weighing a plan to charge international students US$100,000 to stay in the country and work after graduating, according to a person familiar with the matter, in a potentially devastating move for student visa holders already squeezed by recent immigration crackdowns. The person familiar spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. A White House official said there was no imminent policy change, but did not deny the proposal was under...
3 hours agoThe Trump administration is weighing a plan to charge international students $100,000 to stay in the country and work after graduating, according to a person familiar with the matter, in a potentially devastating move for student visa holders already squeezed by recent immigration crackdowns.
4 hours ago
Trump says Board of Peace reached phased deal for Hamas disarmament in Gaza
U.S. President Donald Trump says a body he calls the “Board of Peace” has reached an agreement with Hamas and other arme...
Polls open in Greater Manchester mayoral by-election to replace Andy Burnham
Polls open for a mayoral by-election in Greater Manchester to choose the next mayor and succeed Andy Burnham. Multiple o...
Accord Party petitions Tinubu and IGP over alleged police harassment before Osun election
The Accord Party files petitions to President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over wh...