Proposed Rule to Add OPT Fee

The United States Department of Homeland Security published a proposed rule Oct. 8 which would add new fees to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) application process if implemented as a final rule. It is important to note that this is a proposed rule and is not currently in effect. When or if a final rule is published, it may be different from the proposed rule.

If this rule is implemented as proposed, key changes include:

• Requiring schools to pay a $70,000 fee before an initial or first period of OPT recommendation may be made. The university must confirm the fee is paid before issuing an I-20 for the student to move forward with the OPT application.
• Requiring schools to pay a $30,000 fee before recommending any subsequent periods of OPT or STEM OPT.
• Provides a 60 day transition period after the regulation is published, during which the fee would not be required.

Again, these are proposed changes and are not currently in effect. OIE will notify students if or when any actual changes are published, along with the effective date of changes.

In the meantime, we encourage the campus community to review the proposed changes and make thoughtful public comments, as this may help improve or change the rule as it is currently proposed. Comments about the proposed rule may be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. While two comment deadlines (Nov. 9 and Dec. 7) are listed in the proposed rule, we recommend submitting comments by the earlier date. Commenters are encouraged to review the commenting guidance. CMU and Office of International Education staff are reviewing the proposed rule in order to make comments, as we have done for other proposed rules.

We know proposed rule changes can cause uncertainty and anxiety, and we want students and scholars to know that we are here to support you. Please reach out to us if you have any questions.