DHS Publishes Proposed Rule Establishing Fees for Optional Practical Training
On Oct. 8, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register proposing new fees for F students seeking to engage in optional practical training (OPT). Under the proposed rule, the new fees will consist of a $70,000 charge per F student for initial OPT and $30,000 charge per F student for the second year of practical training, with no additional fees in subsequent years.
Document type：Proposed Rule · A proposal is not an effective final rule.
Key changes
On Oct. 8, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register proposing new fees for F students seeking to engage in optional practical training (OPT). Under the proposed rule, the new fees will consist of a $70,000 charge per F student for initial OPT and $30,000 charge per F student for the second year of practical training, with no additional fees in subsequent years.
DHS will accept public comments on the proposed rule for 30 days, from Oct. 8, 2026, until Nov. 9, 2026. Comments for information collection described in the Paperwork Reduction Act section must be received by Dec. 7, 2026. Refer to the Federal Register notice for instructions about how to submit comments for DHS consideration. Following the public comment period, DHS will review all properly submitted comments and materials and may revise the rule based on public feedback.
