US proposes $70,000 OPT fee for F-1 students, citing worker protection and programme integrity
DHS said its Student and Exchange Visitor Program has identified schemes involving schools, DSOs, employers and F-1 students.
These include problematic worksites and “pay-to-stay” visa arrangements. Students must receive a recommendation from their designated school official (DSO) and apply to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for employment authorisation.
Schools would pay before OPT recommendation
Under the proposed system, a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school would have to pay the applicable fee before its DSO recommends an F-1 student for OPT in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Instead, it would apply whenever a school recommends an F-1 student for any type of OPT. Earlier reporting noted: The proposed rule would set a $70,000 (Rs 67 lakh) fee per F-1 nonimmigrant student for initial OPT and a $30,000 (Rs 29 lakh) fee per F-1 nonimmigrant student for any subsequent OPT. Earlier reporting noted: The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed new fees for F-1 nonimmigrant students seeking to participate in Optional Practical Training (OPT), a temporary employment authorisation linked to a student’s field of study.
DHS said USCIS would not grant employment authorisation where the required school payment had not been made. The DHS said the move aims to reduce the flow of cheap labour into the United States and make it easier for American workers to compete in the job market. The DHS said it is proposing the fees to combat fraud and abuse, strengthen the integrity of the immigration system, and protect US workers.
The fee would not be linked to a particular employer. The collected money would be deposited in the US Treasury.
The payment would also have to be made before the student applies for employment authorisation with USCIS.