The Trump administration has proposed a $70,000 fee, approximately €60,000, for foreign students seeking work experience through a programme that allows them to take jobs related to their studies.

And that may not be the end of the bill. An additional $30,000 could be charged for an extension, potentially bringing the total to $100,000.

Practical experience

The proposal, announced by the US Department of Homeland Security, targets Optional Practical Training (OPT), a programme widely used by international students on F-1 visas.

It allows students to gain practical experience in their chosen field, either during their studies or after graduation.

For many, it is an important part of the reason they choose to study in America in the first place.

Currently, students generally pay around $500 to apply for work authorisation through the programme.

Under the proposed system, the much larger fees would be charged to the educational institutions supporting their applications.

That distinction matters. Students would not necessarily receive a $70,000 bill themselves, but universities could become far less willing to support their applications if the proposal goes ahead.

Why the programme matters

OPT has long provided a route for international graduates to gain experience with American employers.

Most eligible graduates can work for up to 12 months, while those studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics can qualify for an additional 24 months.

The programme is particularly important in industries such as technology, where American companies regularly recruit graduates from overseas.

Students from India and China are among its largest user groups.

For some graduates, the experience can also lead to an H-1B visa, allowing them to remain in the country to work in a specialised occupation.

The proposed fees could make that route considerably harder.

Why does the US want to change it?

The Department of Homeland Security says the changes are intended to tackle fraud, protect American workers and prevent misuse of the immigration system.

The proposal forms part of the Trump administration’s wider tightening of rules surrounding foreign students and skilled workers.

But universities and international education organisations have raised concerns about the potential consequences.

They argue that making work experience so expensive could discourage students from choosing American universities and make it harder for employers to recruit graduates with specialist skills.

The timing is significant. American universities are already facing a decline in new international enrolments, with figures showing a 17% fall last autumn.

Nothing has changed yet

The $70,000 charge is still a proposal, not an existing requirement.

It must go through a public consultation process before the US Government can decide whether to introduce it, amend it or abandon it.

Legal challenges are also possible.

For now, international students can continue to apply under the existing OPT rules.

But for those planning several years of study in America with the hope of working there afterwards, the uncertainty may already be enough to make them reconsider their plans.

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