- The US Department of Homeland Security proposed a $70,000 fee for each international student starting Optional Practical Training, in a rule published on Thursday, 8 October 2026.
- A further $30,000 would be charged for any later OPT period, and schools would pay the fee but could pass it on to students or employers.
- About 4,394 of the 21,847 Nigerian students in the US were on OPT in 2024/25, and public comments on the plan close on 9 November 2026.
US proposes $70,000 OPT fee for foreign graduates, including Nigerians
The US wants schools to pay $70,000 for each foreign student starting OPT, the post-study work scheme used by about 4,400 Nigerians in 2024/25.
The United States has proposed a $70,000 fee for each international student who starts Optional Practical Training (OPT), the scheme that lets foreign students work in their field of study during or after their course, according to a proposed rule published in the Federal Register on Thursday, 8 October 2026. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which issued the rule…