US proposes $70,000 fee per student for OPT work programme, Chinese outlets report
In short
The US Department of Homeland Security on October 7 published a proposed rule that would charge high fees for international students working in the US through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme. Under the rule, schools would pay $70,000 per student for a first OPT application and a further $30,000 for an extension, Chinese outlets reported.
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The US Department of Homeland Security on October 7 published a proposed rule that would levy high fees on international students who work in the United States through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, according to CLS, Yicai and 36Kr, the latter two citing CCTV News. Xinhua carried the story under the headline that the US plans to charge high fees for international students working in the US. The outlets described the move as the latest step by the US government to tighten policies on international students. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Under the rule, schools would pay $70,000 for each student's first OPT application and a further $30,000 for an extension. The programme allows international students on student visas to work in jobs directly related to their field of study, and the outlets described it as an important transition channel for international students moving on to work visas. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
The Department of Homeland Security said the measure is intended to combat "visa fraud and abuse" and that OPT should not become a back door into the US labour market, Yicai reported, citing CCTV News. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
OPT lets international students on student visas take jobs directly related to their field of study and is described by the outlets as an important bridge to work visas. The outlets present the rule as the latest step by the US government to tighten policies on international students.
Key facts
- The US Department of Homeland Security published a proposed rule on October 7 to charge high fees for international students working in the US through the Optional Practical Training programme. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Schools would pay $70,000 per student for a first OPT application. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- An extension would cost a further $30,000. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- OPT allows international students holding student visas to work in jobs directly related to their field of study. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- The outlets describe OPT as an important transition channel for international students moving to work visas. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- The Department of Homeland Security said the measure is meant to combat visa fraud and abuse and that OPT should not be a back door into the US labour market. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The US is proposing high fees for international students who work in the US. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Under the proposed rule, schools would pay $70,000 per student for a first OPT application and $30,000 for an extension. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- The rule was published by the US Department of Homeland Security on October 7. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- The Department of Homeland Security's stated rationale of combating visa fraud and abuse. Only Yicai, citing CCTV News, reports the department's stated reasons.
- When the rule would take effect. The documents describe it only as a proposed rule and give no timetable.