# DHS Proposes $70k School Fee for OPT

> DHS requires schools to pay $70,000 before recommending foreign students for OPT.
- Title: DHS Proposes $70k School Fee for OPT · Dallas Express
- Summary: DHS requires schools to pay $70,000 before recommending foreign students for OPT. DHS proposes $70,000 fees for schools recommending F-1 students for…
- Keywords: dhs, opt, f-1 students, school fees, optional practical training, student and exchange visitor program, us citizenship and immigration services, federal register, news, politics, Proposes, 70k
- Source: Dallas Express — https://dallasexpress.com/education/dhs-proposes-70k-fee-for-schools-recommending-foreign-students-for-opt
- Author: Dallas Express
- Published: 2026-10-08T12:00:36+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: dhs, opt, f-1 students, school fees, optional practical training, student and exchange visitor program, us citizenship and immigration services, federal register, news, politics
## DHS Proposes $70,000 OPT School Fee
DHS announced a proposed rule requiring schools to pay $70,000 before recommending F-1 students for Optional Practical Training for the first time.

> Dhs is upskilling opt to require foreign students to justify their worth to employers
## Fee Structure for OPT Recommendations
Schools must pay $30,000 for each subsequent OPT recommendation, with fees applying to the school's recommendation rather than a specific employer.
## DHS Rationale for Fees
DHS states the fees combat fraud, strengthen immigration-system integrity, and protect U.S. workers by addressing problematic worksites and pay-to-stay schemes.

> Optional practical training was never meant to be a back door into the american workforce, a subsidy for cheap labor, or a prize for those who game the system
## Fee Collection Projections
DHS estimates annual fee collections after the transition period would range from $8.4 billion to $16.5 billion, with a primary estimate of $12.4 billion.
## Schools' Financial Impact
Schools unable or unwilling to pay could stop recommending students for OPT, creating costs for schools, foreign students, and employers.
## Potential Consequences
Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA, argues discouraging international students would hurt u.s. innovation, economic growth, workforce development, and global leadership.
## Key takeaway

DHS proposes $70,000 fees for schools recommending F-1 students for Optional Practical Training to combat fraud and protect U.S. workers.