Proposed OPT Fees

Proposed OPT Fees On October 8, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule that would introduce new fees for Optional Practical Training (OPT) applications.  This is a proposed rule only and, at present, nothing has changed. More on this below.     What is Optional Practical Training (OPT) and what current fees are associated with OPT applications?  Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a type of employment authorization adjudicated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It is available to eligible F-1 students for the purpose of gaining practical experience directly related to their program of study.  Current USCIS Fee for Pre-Completion, Post-Completion OPT and STEM OPT: $470 for electronic filing, $520 for paper filing.  What would change under the proposal?   Each time a school recommends an F-1 student or alumni for OPT, DHS would charge the following fees:  $70,000 for a student's first OPT recommendation, whether pre- or post-completion.  $30,000 for any later OPT recommendation, including a STEM OPT extension.  What’s next?    Because this is a proposed rule, there are no immediate changes for F-1 students and alumni.  For the proposed rule to take effect, it would need to be published as an “interim” or “final” rule, following public comment and in accordance with formal rulemaking procedures.      OGS is monitoring the proposed rule closely and will continue to provide updates to the Northeastern community. F-1 students and alumni with questions should contact OGS directly.