Trump Administration Weighs 100,000-Dollar Fee on Graduate Work Visas as Court Voids H-1B Charge

The United States Department of Homeland Security is considering a fee of 100,000 dollars on Optional Practical Training (OPT) permits, which let foreign graduates work in the country after finishing their studies, The Hindu reported, citing The Wall Street Journal. OPT is an extension of the F-1 student visa and is used heavily by graduates from India and China who go on to work in technology.

The proposal comes just as courts rejected a parallel measure. A court struck down the administration's 100,000-dollar fee on H-1B skilled-worker visas, classifying the charge as a tax that the president lacked authority to impose. Separately, Washington has tightened visa rules for international students, exchange visitors and journalists, shortening the period graduates have to leave or change status after finishing school from 60 days to 30.

Taken together, the measures point to a broad effort to raise the cost and reduce the time available for foreign talent to remain in the United States, even as one part of that effort has already failed in court.