US Study Visa 2026: Proposed $70,000 OPT Fee Could Change How Indian Students Choose Master's Programs
For years, one of the biggest attractions of studying in the United States has been the opportunity to gain professional experience after graduation through Optional Practical Training, or OPT.
For an Indian student considering a Master’s in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Business Analytics or another eligible field, OPT can be an important part of the overall career plan.
Now, that calculation may need another look.
The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed a new $70,000 fee for an institution’s first OPT recommendation for an F-1 student, followed by a $30,000 fee for subsequent OPT recommendations. The proposal is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on October 8, 2026.
But before students panic, there is one crucial fact:
This is a proposal, not a rule currently in effect.
The proposed fees would go through a public-comment and rulemaking process before they could become effective.
So what does this mean for Indian students planning to study in the USA?
And more importantly, should this change the way students choose a US Master’s programme?
Let’s break it down.
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What Is OPT and Why Does It Matter?
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a form of employment authorization available to eligible F-1 international students.
It allows qualifying students to gain practical work experience directly related to their field of study.
Under current rules, eligible students can generally receive:
Up to 12 months of OPT
An additional 24-month STEM OPT extension for qualifying STEM graduates
That can mean up to 36 months of practical training for eligible STEM graduates.
This is one reason STEM Master’s degrees in the USA have historically been particularly attractive to international students.
For example, an eligible graduate in a qualifying STEM field may use OPT to gain professional experience in areas such as:
Artificial Intelligence
Data Science
Computer Science
Cybersecurity
Software Engineering
Engineering
Information Systems
However, OPT has always been subject to eligibility requirements and immigration rules.
It is not an automatic job placement programme.
What Exactly Has the US Proposed?
Under the proposed Department of Homeland Security rule, a US institution would have to pay $70,000 the first time it recommends an F-1 student for OPT.
For subsequent OPT recommendations involving that student, the proposed fee would be $30,000 each time.
Importantly, the proposed fee would initially be paid by the SEVP-certified educational institution, rather than being introduced as a direct $70,000 OPT application fee charged by USCIS to every student.
However, the proposal would allow institutions to recover the cost from students, employers or other sources. That means the ultimate financial impact on students is still uncertain.
This distinction matters.
A headline saying:
“Indian students must pay $70,000 for OPT”
would be misleading at this stage.
The accurate statement is:
“DHS has proposed a $70,000 fee that schools would pay for an F-1 student’s first OPT recommendation, with the possibility that the cost could be passed on.”
Is the $70,000 OPT Fee Already in Effect?
No.
This is perhaps the most important point for students reading about the announcement online.
The proposal is scheduled for Federal Register publication on October 8, 2026, followed by a public-comment period. The rule would have to go through the federal rulemaking process before becoming final.
Therefore:
Students applying for a US university today should not assume that they currently owe a $70,000 OPT fee.
The final outcome could be different from the proposal.
The proposal could be modified, delayed, challenged or potentially not implemented in its current form.
For that reason, students should distinguish between:
Proposed policy
and
Current immigration requirement.
That distinction is essential when making a multi-year education investment.
Why Is DHS Proposing Such a Large Fee?
According to DHS, the proposal is intended to address concerns around fraud, programme abuse, immigration-system integrity and protection of US workers.
The administration has also raised concerns about OPT being misused through arrangements that it says do not represent genuine educational or professional training.
DHS argues that the proposed financial mechanism could encourage universities, employers and students to take greater responsibility for legitimate OPT participation.
Critics, however, argue that such a high cost could make the United States less attractive to international students and create significant uncertainty around post-study employment.
That debate is likely to continue during the rulemaking process.
Why Indian Students Should Pay Attention
The US remains one of the biggest destinations for Indian students pursuing international Master’s degrees.
And for many students, the decision to study in America has never been based only on the university.
It is also about the entire journey:
Bachelor’s → Master’s → OPT → Work Experience → Potential H-1B
The proposed OPT fee puts the third stage of that journey under the spotlight.
This does not mean students should immediately cancel their plans for the USA.
Instead, it means students should become more careful about how they evaluate a US Master’s degree.
Should You Still Study in the USA in 2026 or 2027?
There is no universal yes or no answer.
The US remains home to a large number of globally recognised universities and offers programmes across technology, engineering, business, healthcare, sciences and other fields.
But students should now evaluate the country using a broader framework.
Ask:
1. Does the university fit my academic profile?
Check admission requirements, prerequisites, GPA expectations, test requirements and programme curriculum.
2. Is my chosen degree career-relevant?
Do not select a programme only because it is currently popular.
A Master’s degree should help you build skills that connect with your intended career.
3. What is the total cost?
Calculate:
Tuition
Housing
Health insurance
Food
Transportation
University fees
Visa expenses
Travel
Emergency funds
Do not make the decision using tuition alone.
4. What happens if OPT rules change?
This is where today’s announcement becomes particularly relevant.
Students planning a degree that depends heavily on post-study employment should understand that immigration policies can change during a two- or three-year academic journey.
A strong study-abroad plan should therefore include policy risk awareness.
STEM Students Need to Look Beyond the “36-Month OPT” Headline
For years, students have often heard a simple message:
STEM Master’s = up to 36 months of OPT.
While eligible STEM graduates can currently qualify for the additional 24-month STEM OPT extension, the actual process involves specific eligibility requirements.
Students need to check:
Whether the degree qualifies as STEM
Whether the institution and programme meet applicable requirements
Whether the employment is related to the degree
Whether the employer meets the relevant requirements
Whether the student maintains valid F-1 status
Whether the required applications are filed correctly
The proposed fee adds another layer of uncertainty to this calculation.
That is why students should avoid choosing a programme simply because someone promises:
“You will get three years of OPT.”
What Does This Mean for the 2027 Intake?
Students planning the 2027 intake have an important advantage:
Time.
Instead of reacting to a headline, they can monitor how the proposed rule develops.
The proposal is expected to enter the public-comment process after its Federal Register publication. The rule would not become effective simply because DHS announced it.
For prospective students, the practical approach is:
Step 1: Shortlist universities
Identify programmes that genuinely fit your academic and career goals.
Step 2: Check STEM eligibility carefully
If you are considering a STEM programme, verify the programme’s current classification and eligibility rather than relying on an agent’s description.
Step 3: Calculate your complete budget
Do not include an assumed $70,000 OPT payment as a current mandatory expense.
But do consider the possibility that future policy changes could affect your post-study financial planning.
Step 4: Monitor official updates
Immigration policies can change between application, enrolment and graduation.
Step 5: Keep alternative plans
A strong international education plan should not depend on one immigration outcome.
The Bigger Lesson: Don’t Choose a University Based Only on Post-Study Work
This may be the most important takeaway from the latest US announcement.
Imagine two students.
One chooses a university because someone tells them:
“This course gives you OPT and then you can get a job.”
The second student chooses a university after comparing:
Curriculum
Faculty
Research
Internship opportunities
Location
Cost
University reputation
Industry connections
Career outcomes
Immigration rules
The second approach is more resilient.
Because immigration policy can change.
Your skills are much harder to take away.
How ACHIVIA Can Help Indian Students Navigate the Changing US Landscape
This is where structured study-abroad guidance becomes particularly valuable.
At ACHIVIA, the objective is not simply to help students apply to a foreign university.
The focus is on helping students connect their academic choices with their long-term career goals.
For students considering the USA, ACHIVIA can support:
Profile evaluation
Course and university shortlisting
Career-oriented programme selection
IELTS, TOEFL, GRE and GMAT preparation
SOP and LOR guidance
Application support
Education-loan guidance
Student visa guidance
Accommodation assistance
Forex and insurance support
Pre-departure guidance
Most importantly, students can evaluate different options before committing to a programme.
If immigration policies change, having a carefully selected academic and financial plan becomes even more important.
ACHIVIA’s role is therefore not to promise a visa, OPT approval, employment or immigration outcome.
It is to motivate, guide and mentor students to pursue their educational and career goals with self-confidence, talent and skill set.
Should Indian Students Stop Applying to the USA?
Not based on this proposal alone.
The $70,000 OPT fee is not currently a mandatory fee for every F-1 student.
It is a proposed rule that must go through the federal rulemaking process.
However, students should take the announcement seriously because OPT has historically been an important part of the US international-student experience.
The correct response is not panic.
It is better planning.
Students should continue evaluating US universities based on academic quality, affordability, programme fit, career prospects and the latest official immigration rules.
And if the final OPT policy changes, students who have already built a broader career plan will be better positioned to adapt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do international students have to pay $70,000 for OPT now?
No. The $70,000 amount is part of a proposed DHS rule and is not currently a mandatory OPT fee for F-1 students. The proposal must go through the federal rulemaking process before it can take effect.
What is the proposed OPT fee?
DHS has proposed a $70,000 fee for the first OPT recommendation for an F-1 student and $30,000 for subsequent OPT recommendations. The fee would initially be paid by the educational institution, although the proposal allows costs to potentially be recovered from students, employers or other sources.
Will the proposed $70,000 fee affect Indian students?
Potentially, if the proposal becomes final and universities pass some or all of the cost to students or employers. However, it is too early to know what the final financial impact will be.
How long is OPT currently available for international students?
Eligible F-1 students can generally receive up to 12 months of OPT, while eligible STEM graduates can potentially receive an additional 24-month STEM OPT extension.
Is STEM OPT being cancelled?
The October 7 proposal does not itself cancel STEM OPT. Instead, it proposes new fees connected to OPT recommendations, including subsequent OPT recommendations such as STEM OPT extensions.
Should Indian students stop applying to US universities?
Not solely because of this proposal. Students should monitor the rulemaking process and evaluate universities based on academic fit, total cost, career opportunities and current immigration rules.
Is OPT guaranteed after completing a Master’s in the USA?
No. OPT has eligibility requirements and is not an automatic job placement or immigration pathway. Students must meet the applicable F-1 and OPT requirements.
Final Takeaway
The proposed $70,000 OPT fee is one of the most significant developments for prospective international students to watch in the US this week.
But there is a difference between a proposal and a rule.
It is to ask better questions.
Does this university offer the right programme?
Is the degree aligned with my career?
Can I afford the full cost without depending entirely on post-study employment?
What are the current immigration rules?
What could change before I graduate?
The US can still be a strong academic destination. But in today’s changing immigration environment, students need to approach it with more research, more realistic financial planning and a stronger career strategy.
And that is exactly where informed guidance matters.
Your Master’s should build your career first. Your immigration pathway should be planned with the latest rules in mind.
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