Major OPT Changes: Here's What to Know Before September 15

The Trump administration is considering major changes to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, including a proposed $100,000 participation fee and stricter limits on how long international students can remain in the United States after completing their studies.

According to reporting by the Wall Street Journal, officials are considering whether the proposed fee would be paid by students, universities or employers. The charge would mark a significant change to the programme, which currently allows international graduates to work in the US for up to 12 months after graduation.

Graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) can extend this period by a further 24 months. Employers must already pay OPT participants wages comparable to those of US workers, but the programme has not previously included a fee of this scale. Critics say such a cost could discourage many graduates from seeking work in the US.

The administration has also introduced new rules that reduce the flexibility available to international students. From September, the long-standing "duration of status" system will be replaced by a fixed four-year limit on student stays. Those wishing to remain in the country through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or OPT will need to apply for an extension, which will not be granted automatically. 

The grace period for leaving the US after completing studies or training has also been reduced from 60 days to 30 days for students and their dependants. The administration is also considering changes to the tax treatment of OPT. At present, employers who hire OPT participants are exempt from certain payroll taxes.

Opponents argue that this encourages employers to hire international graduates instead of American workers. If income earned through OPT becomes subject to those taxes, it would increase costs for both employers and graduates. The programme has also faced criticism because it does not include numerical limits or labour market tests that apply to some other employment pathways.

The proposed reforms are part of a wider legal and political debate over the programme. Critics argue that OPT was introduced without approval from Congress and exceeds the authority of the Department of Homeland Security. They maintain that F-1 student visas are intended only for academic study. However, the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit rejected that argument in Washington Alliance of Tech Workers v. DHS, although calls for reform have continued.

OPT participation has reached record levels in recent years, with more than half a million international students taking part in paid training during the 2023–24 academic year. International students contributed $42.9 billion to the US economy in 2024–25, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. 

Universities, particularly those with large international student populations, say tighter restrictions could reduce enrolment and affect their finances. Employers, especially in the technology and research sectors, have warned that limiting access to international graduates could reduce the supply of skilled workers.