Nigerian Students May Face $70,000 US OPT Fee Under New Proposal

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a $70,000 fee for international students seeking to work in the country through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, a move that could affect Nigerian and other foreign students seeking work experience after graduation.

Under the proposal, schools would be required to pay $70,000 for a student’s initial OPT application and $30,000 for each renewal, according to the Associated Press.

OPT allows eligible international students on F-1 visas to obtain temporary employment related to their fields of study after completing their academic programmes. Students are generally eligible for up to one year of OPT, while qualifying STEM graduates can receive an additional two years.

The proposed fee is part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to tighten immigration controls and address what DHS describes as fraud and abuse within student work programmes. DHS has characterized OPT as a potential “pipeline for cheap foreign labor,” according to AP.

The proposal has drawn concern from higher education and business groups, who argue that a fee of such magnitude could discourage international students from studying in the United States and affect industries that rely on skilled foreign graduates, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA, said OPT provides international students with practical experience while helping employers address workforce needs.

“Driving away the talents, perspectives, and aspirations of international students will only hurt American innovation, economic growth, workforce development, and global leadership,” Aw said.

Doug Rand, a former senior adviser at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, also criticized the proposed fee, arguing that international graduates who have been educated in the United States should not face an excessive financial barrier to remaining and working in the country.

The $70,000 charge is a proposed fee and is not currently an established OPT requirement.

The public will have 60 days to submit comments on the proposal before DHS considers whether to finalize it. The measure could also face legal challenges from higher education and business groups.

The proposed policy comes amid wider changes to the U.S. immigration system affecting international students and foreign workers.

For Nigerian students considering studying in the United States, the proposal could become an important factor in decisions about post-graduation employment if it is ultimately finalized.