US Visa / Blow To Indian Students' US Dream? Trump Weighs $100,000 Post-Study Work Fee, Tougher Visa Rules

Washington, Jul 31: For decades, the promise of earning a US degree followed by valuable work experience has made the United States one of the most sought-after destinations for international students, including lakhs from India. That pathway, however, could become significantly more expensive and tightly regulated under proposals being considered by US President Donald Trump's administration.

The administration is weighing a proposal to impose a staggering $100,000 (around Rs 95 lakh) fee on foreign graduates seeking post-study work opportunities in the US. At the same time, it is pursuing changes to student visa rules that would place a fixed limit on how long international students can remain in the country without seeking fresh government approval.

If implemented, the measures would represent one of the most significant overhauls of the US student visa system in years.

$100,000 Fee Proposed For OPT Programme
The proposed fee would apply to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, according to The Wall Street Journal.

OPT allows international students studying on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their degree. Most graduates can currently work for up to one year, while students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses are generally eligible for an extension allowing them to work for up to three years.

The programme serves as a crucial bridge between graduation and long-term employment, often enabling students to gain professional experience before transitioning to an H-1B work visa.

Under the proposal, obtaining this opportunity could come with a $100,000 price tag.

The proposal remains under discussion within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and no final decision has been taken. Officials are yet to determine whether the fee would be paid by international graduates themselves or by the companies employing them.

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Why OPT Matters To International Students?
For many international students, including those from India, post-study work opportunities form an important part of the decision to pursue higher education in the US.

The ability to work after graduation helps students gain international professional experience, recover a significant portion of the money spent on education and improve their chances of securing long-term employment in the country.

A $100,000 fee could substantially alter that equation.

If employers are required to bear the cost, many may prefer hiring US citizens instead of international graduates. If students are expected to pay the amount themselves, the cost could place post-study employment beyond the reach of many families.

According to available data, around 4.19 lakh international graduates were working under the OPT programme in 2024.

Student Visa Rules Also Set For Major Change
Alongside the OPT proposal, the US government has finalised another significant policy change affecting international students.

For decades, students entered the United States under the "duration of status" system. Under this arrangement, they could remain in the country as long as they maintained full-time student status and complied with visa conditions, without any fixed end date.

That framework is now proposed to be replaced.

Under the new regulation, most international students would receive permission to stay in the US for up to four years.

Students enrolled in programmes exceeding four years — including several doctoral, medical and research courses — would no longer automatically remain authorised to stay. Instead, they would be required to apply to the Department of Homeland Security for an extension before their authorised stay expires.

The same requirement would also apply to many exchange visitors and foreign journalists working in the United States.

The regulation must still receive congressional approval before taking effect.

Administration Cites Immigration Oversight
The Trump administration says the proposed measures are aimed at strengthening oversight of the legal immigration system and enhancing national security.

"No policies should be considered final until formally announced. At DHS, we are always having conversations about how to use all tools in our arsenal to protect the integrity of our legal immigration system," a DHS spokesperson said.

The administration has already introduced stricter scrutiny of student visas and changes affecting the H-1B work visa programme over the past year. Additional proposals concerning the OPT programme are also reportedly under consideration.

What It Could Mean For Indian Students?
Indian students constitute one of the largest international student communities in the United States, with more than 3.3 lakh currently enrolled across American institutions.

At present, neither proposal has come into effect. The $100,000 OPT fee remains under consideration, while the four-year visa rule is yet to receive congressional approval.

However, the proposals indicate that the pathway from earning a US degree to building a career in the country could become costlier, more tightly regulated and less predictable than in previous years.