US proposes USD 70,000 fee for international students under OPT programme

The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed a USD 70,000 fee for schools for each international student participating in the Optional Practical Training programme. Vice President JD Vance also accused nine universities of potential J-1 visa programme abuse.

Hyderabad: The Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday proposed a USD 70,000 fee for international students seeking to work in the United States through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme.

Under the proposed rule, schools would have to pay the fee for each student participating in OPT, which allows international students to work in jobs related to their field of study during or after completing their education.

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Vice President JD Vance also criticised universities that he accused of abusing a programme that allows international students to enter the US. The temporary visas, known as J-1 visas, allow international visitors to come to the country for work-and-study exchange programmes.

Vance singled out nine universities that he said warranted further investigation over alleged J-1 visa fraud. According to reports, he claimed the institutions used the programme at disproportionately high rates compared with their counterparts.