Proposal update — 11 October 2026. The DHS Optional Practical Training Fees document is labelled a notice of proposed rulemaking, not a final rule establishing a current payment obligation.
On this page
Amounts described in the proposal
The document describes $70,000 for initial OPT and $30,000 for subsequent OPT. Its public-inspection cover states scheduled publication on 8 October 2026 and identifies docket ICEB-2026-0100. This should not be simplified into a claim that every student currently owes a flat $100,000 OPT fee.
How to follow the proposal
Use the docket and document number when checking later publications. A subsequent final rule could differ from a proposal, and an effective date must be established from the applicable final document. This article does not confirm that the proposed fees are now payable.
Questions for your school
Ask your designated school official which current instructions govern your application and whether your institution has issued guidance about the proposal. Bring the dates of your programme, any pending application and any existing authorisation. A proposal summary should not replace instructions about your individual record.
Keep a distinction between planning for a possible policy change and treating it as already operative. If you see a fee claim elsewhere, ask for the official document, its status and the date on which it is supposed to apply. Preserve the link and date so that a later update can be checked against the same record.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a final fee rule? The source reviewed is a proposal. Does $100,000 apply identically to everyone? That is not an accurate summary of the proposed amounts. Does this website accept OPT payments? No; it provides information only.
