Foreign skilled workers and international students eyeing opportunities in the United States may soon encounter increased immigration costs. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is actively pursuing new proposed fees for the F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) program and specific H-1B visa petitions.
Notably, a proposed F-1 OPT fee rule reached the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on August 20 and is currently under review. Separately, an H-1B visa fee proposal was submitted and swiftly cleared OMB review on August 19, signaling rapid progress on these potential changes to US immigration fees.
Possible $100,000 OPT Fee Under Review
While the exact fee amounts for these immigration changes remain confidential until DHS officially publishes them in the Federal Register, recent reports suggest a significant potential impact. Specifically, a staggering $100,000 fee for OPT applications has been rumored, which would drastically alter the financial landscape for international students pursuing the US study-to-work pathway.
This development is particularly crucial for Indian students, for whom the F-1 OPT program represents a primary avenue to gain invaluable US work experience after graduating. The potential H-1B visa fee also draws parallels with a prior $100,000 charge on certain H-1B petitions, which was previously challenged and blocked by a federal court.
No Immediate Immigration Fee Change
It’s important to understand that these proposals are not immediately effective simply because they have reached the OMB. The process requires further steps before any new fees are implemented.
Once published in the Federal Register, each proposal will undergo a mandatory 30- to 60-day public comment period. Following this, DHS must review all received feedback, issue a final rule, and officially announce a specific implementation date before any new fee structure can be enforced.
This means that Indian students, international graduates, and US employers are not required to pay these proposed fees at this time. However, the exceptionally swift OMB clearance of the H-1B proposal, which was submitted and cleared on the same day, highlights the administration’s focused attention on immigration-related costs.
Key Updates for Indian Students and Skilled Workers in the US
For Indians planning to work or study in the US, here are the key points to watch:
- F-1 OPT Fee: A new fee is currently proposed, with strong indications from reports of a potential charge up to $100,000. This would significantly impact the cost of Optional Practical Training.
- H-1B Visa Fee: The DHS is also actively developing a fee proposal that will affect specific H-1B petitions for skilled workers.
- No Immediate Effect: It is crucial to remember that these proposed immigration fees are not yet implemented. They require official publication, a public comment period, and a final rule before taking effect.
- Guidance for Indian Applicants: Indian students contemplating US universities and graduates planning to utilize OPT should closely monitor the development and finalization of these fee structures.
- Impact on US Employers: American companies that recruit foreign graduates and skilled workers may face increased immigration-related expenses if these proposals are enacted.
The overarching trend is evident: US immigration policy appears to be increasingly linking pathways for international students and skilled workers to elevated compliance requirements and financial burdens.
Travelobiz Take: US Immigration Cost Warning
Travelobiz views these developments as a significant heads-up for Indian students and skilled workers: while no fees are active yet, the proposed changes could substantially elevate the costs associated with the US study-to-work route.
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