US proposes $70,000 fee per foreign student for post-graduation work permits (OPT)
In short
The US Department of Homeland Security on October 7 announced a proposed rule to charge $70,000 (about 11 million yen) for the work authorisation known as OPT, which lets foreign students work in the US after graduating. Asahi Shimbun and Kyodo News reported that schools would pay $70,000 per student at the first application and $30,000 for later extensions or recommendations, roughly 140 times the current fee of about $500.
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The US Department of Homeland Security on October 7 announced a proposed rule to charge $70,000 (about 11 million yen) for the work authorisation, known as OPT, that comes with a student visa and lets foreign students work after graduating from US universities, Japanese newspapers reported. Asahi Shimbun and Kyodo News, in a report carried by Tokyo Shimbun, described it as a Trump administration plan and said the charge would be about 140 times the current cost. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Under the proposal, schools rather than students would bear the cost. Asahi reported that schools would have to pay $70,000 per student at the first application and a further $30,000 if the work period is extended, replacing the current fee of about $500 (about 79,000 yen). Kyodo reported that schools would pay $70,000 at the first recommendation and $30,000 at the second and later recommendations, and that students currently pay the application fee themselves. Kyodo cited US media for the current figure of about $500. [ 2 , 3 ]
According to Asahi, the administration says the change is meant to prevent an inflow of cheap labour, while critics say it could hinder efforts to secure capable foreign talent. Kyodo said the stated aim is "protecting American workers" and that concern the rule will drive capable foreign students away is likely to grow. Nikkei's headline said the plan would make it difficult for foreign students to find jobs. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Nikkei said OPT is generally used for work after graduation and usually allows up to one year of employment, with only students who majored in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) allowed a further two-year extension. Asahi said the programme lets students work for one to three years after graduating from university or graduate school, in jobs related to their field of study, and has given them a chance to obtain a work visa and take up full employment. Kyodo said it permits up to three years of work. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Nishi-Nippon Shimbun also reported the plan, under a headline saying the application fee would rise 140-fold to about 10 million yen. [ 4 ]
Why it matters
Asahi Shimbun reported criticism that the plan could hinder efforts to secure capable foreign talent, and Kyodo News said concern over an outflow of foreign students is likely to grow. Nikkei's headline said the plan would make it harder for foreign students to find jobs. According to Asahi, the programme has given students a chance to obtain a work visa and take up full employment in the US.
Key facts
- The US Department of Homeland Security announced the proposed rule on October 7. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The proposal sets a fee of $70,000 (about 11 million yen) for the OPT work authorisation attached to student visas. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Schools would pay $70,000 per student at the first application or recommendation. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Schools would pay a further $30,000 for an extension (Asahi) or for second and later recommendations (Kyodo). [ 2 , 3 ]
- The current fee is about $500, which students now pay, and the new fee would be about 140 times higher. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The programme lets graduates work for up to three years. Nikkei said the usual limit is one year, with a two-year extension only for STEM majors. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The Trump administration says the rule is meant to protect American workers and prevent an inflow of cheap labour. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The US Department of Homeland Security announced on October 7 a proposed $70,000 (about 11 million yen) fee for the work authorisation attached to student visas. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Under the proposal, schools would pay $70,000 per student at the first application, and $30,000 at later stages. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The current fee is about $500, so the new charge would be about 140 times higher. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The programme allows foreign students to work in the US for up to three years after graduating. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The administration says the aim is to protect American workers and prevent an inflow of cheap labour. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- When the $30,000 charge applies. Asahi says it applies when the work period is extended; Kyodo says it applies at the second and later recommendations.
- When the rule would take effect. The documents describe only a proposed rule and give no start date or adoption timetable.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Nikkei reports from Washington that the Department of Homeland Security proposed a $70,000 fee for OPT applications. [ 1 ]
- Asahi Shimbun reports the proposal, including the $30,000 extension charge and criticism over the loss of talent. [ 2 ]
- Tokyo Shimbun carries a Kyodo News report that the fee would be about 140 times the current cost. [ 3 ]
- Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reports that the application fee would rise 140-fold to about 10 million yen. [ 4 ]