Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee: Will it crush the American dream for Indian students? Here's what experts say
For decades, the math for Indian students heading to the United States was fairly simple: take out an education loan, earn a STEM degree, secure
For decades, the math for Indian students heading to the United States was fairly simple: take out an education loan, earn a STEM degree, secure a job through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, and eventually obtain an H-1B visa to pay off the debt. A new policy, however, may soon break this equation. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, the Donald Trump administration in the US is planning to attach a $100,000 fee to the OPT program itself. The OPT programme allows foreign graduates to work for one to three years on their student visas in areas directly related to their studies. If implemented, this may bar thousands of international graduates from working in the US, altering the appeal of American universities for global talent. This follows an initial push to heavily tax H-1B visas, which was struck down by a US court. According to news agency PTI, around 419,000 foreigners were working on OPT in 2024. Without OPT, most international students would be forced to leave the US immediately after graduation, taking the skills they gained at American universities to foreign markets. The report added that in addition to the H-1B and student visas, officials at the State Department are also weighing attaching a $1,00,000 bond on applicants for green cards outside the US, redeemable only after they move to the US and become citizens. Also Read | US visa crackdown, fewer jobs push Indian students to rethink American dream The proposal is still under discussion at the DHS and has not been formally announced or approved by the White House.
A DHS spokesperson noted that the department is continually exploring tools to "protect the integrity of our legal immigration system." Why is OPT Program critical? The OPT program is a temporary work authorisation. Under current rules, graduates can work for up to 12 months, while STEM graduates can apply for a 24-month extension, allowing a total of 36 months of employment. For many international students, particularly Indians, OPT is the primary draw of an American education. It allows graduates to gain practical experience, earn a US salary to help offset tuition costs, and serves as a crucial stepping stone before an employer sponsors them for longer-term visas like the H-1B. What changes if $100,000 OPT fees come into effect? Indians make up nearly one-third of all international students in the US and most of them rely heavily on educational loans that can take up to a decade to clear. The proposed $100,000 fee hurts the Return on Investment (ROI) for these degrees. Students already stretch their budgets for US tuition and living costs. Adding a $100,000 premium just for the right to work may make the financial proposition mathematically difficult for most. If employers are forced to pay, they may restrict hiring to only the absolute top tier of international graduates, leaving the vast majority out. "The charge would exceed the first-year gross salary of most STEM master's graduates. No Indian lender underwrites a loan against a debt the borrower must pay before earning anything.
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