US mulls new H-1B, OPT fees, likely to raise costs for foreign students, professionals
The Trump administration is reviewing proposals for new fees on H-1B petitions and F-1 OPT applications, but no amounts have been confirmed
Indian students and technology professionals seeking a career in the US may soon face higher immigration costs with the Trump administration reportedly considering new fees for the H-1B work visa and F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme.
According to New York-based immigration law firm Fragomen, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has started the process of proposing these fees, reported India Today. However, the amounts are yet to be announced as both proposals remain under review.
New H-1B, OPT fees under review
The development assumes significance for Indian applicants as people born in India accounted for 71 per cent of H-1B petitions approved in fiscal 2024, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) data.
Also Read: US plans to extend H-1B, L-1 visa fees to renewals, likely impacting Indian professionals
Fragomen said on August 21 that "a proposed OPT fee rule was sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on August 20 for review."
A separate proposal covering a fee for certain H-1B petitions was received by OMB and cleared review on August 19, reported India Today, adding that the details remain confidential and no new fee has been confirmed.
Possible USD 100,000 OPT fee
Fragomen cited media reports stating that the "DHS could propose a fee of as much as USD 100,000 for OPT applications." However, the DHS has not confirmed a USD 100,000 OPT fee.
Also Read: The fading American Dream: H-1B visa uncertainty drives Indian tech workers back home
Earlier, the Trump administration proposed to impose a USD 100,000 payment on certain new H-1B petitions. Introduced in September 2025, it mainly covered cases involving beneficiaries outside the US or petitions requiring consular notification.
It generally did not apply to existing H-1B holders, extensions or changes of status, including the common F-1/OPT to H-1B route.
Also Read: H1-B, student visas: US proposes stricter rules from August
A Massachusetts federal district court struck down the policy on June 8, stating that the administration had exceeded its authority and that the payment was an unlawful tax.
The government appealed, but the First Circuit Court of Appeals declined to pause the lower court's order in July. USCIS therefore cannot currently collect the USD 100,000 payment under that policy.
OPT costs for Indian students
However, OPT functions in a different way. Many Indian students enter the US on F-1 visas, complete their degrees and then use OPT to work in jobs related to their studies.
The current USCIS fee for Form I-765, used for employment authorisation including OPT, is USD 470 online or USD 520 on paper. Since OPT is an individual application, the student generally pays this cost.