The Trump administration is weighing a $100,000 charge on foreign graduates who move from F-1 student status to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) work program, a step that could reshape the pipeline of tech talent flowing into the United States. If the fee is adopted, the cost of staying in the country after graduation would rise dramatically, and the impact would be felt most acutely by Indian students, who make up the largest share of the OPT population.

From H-1B to OPT: A policy pivot

A federal court recently struck down a similar $100,000 fee proposal aimed at H-1B visas, the traditional route for skilled foreign workers. In response, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shifted its focus to the OPT program, which lets international students work for one to three years in jobs related to their studies. About 419,000 foreign nationals were on OPT in 2024, according to government data. By targeting this group, the administration hopes to curb the number of graduates who use American degrees as a springboard into the U.S. labor market.

Tech firms that fought H-1B fee hikes now worry about OPT. The OPT pool supplies many entry-level engineers and data scientists who later transition to H-1B status. Raising the cost of that first work stint could shrink the pool before it even reaches the H-1B stage, forcing companies to look elsewhere or compete for a much smaller talent pool.

A broader “pay-to-play” approach

The fee on OPT visas is not the only financial barrier under review. State Department officials are reportedly considering a $100,000 bond for Green Card applicants living abroad. The bond would be refunded only after the applicant moves to the United States and becomes a citizen. A DHS spokesperson said the agency is examining “all tools in our arsenal” to protect the integrity of legal immigration, signaling a shift toward an immigration model that relies heavily on upfront capital.

What the fee means for the U.S. tech talent pipeline

OPT has long been a key selling point for U.S. universities. It offers graduates a practical bridge between coursework and full-time employment, allowing American companies to tap skills honed in the country’s top labs. Imposing a six-figure charge would make that bridge prohibitively expensive for most students, likely diverting them to markets where work authorization is easier to obtain.

The Indian angle: a potential “reverse brain drain”

Indian students dominate the OPT roster. A $100,000 fee would hit them hardest, and the consequences could ripple back to India’s own tech ecosystem.

  • Talent returning home – With U.S. work options priced out, many Indian graduates may choose to go back to India, where their U.S. credentials are still highly valued. This could boost the domestic talent pool and accelerate the growth of homegrown startups and IT services firms.
  • Domestic education appeal – Families that once saw a U.S. degree as the fastest route to a high-earning career may reconsider. The added financial risk could shift interest toward the UK, Canada, Germany, or elite Indian institutions that promise comparable outcomes without the U.S. work hurdle.
  • Cost pressure – The fee would add a massive, uncertain expense to the already steep price of studying abroad. Even if a student lands a job, the fee must be paid before work authorization is granted, creating a cash-flow barrier many families cannot meet.

Counter-arguments and possible pushback

What to watch next

The proposed $100,000 OPT fee, if enacted, would turn the United States from a magnet for emerging tech talent into a market that only the most affluent can afford to enter. The ripple effects would be felt in university recruitment, corporate hiring, and the global competition for skilled engineers. Whether the policy survives political, legal, and industry pushback will determine how quickly the U.S. tech sector feels the loss.