US proposes $70,000 fee for first-time OPT applications

The Economic Times reports that the US Department of Homeland Security proposed the fees on October 7: $70,000 for initial Optional Practical Training applications and $30,000 for subsequent or STEM OPT extensions. Experts told the outlet the proposal could further dampen Indian students’ interest in studying in the US, particularly among postgraduate students who depend more on OPT for work experience. Study-abroad platforms were already reporting fewer US applications amid visa uncertainty and rising costs.