Nigerian students and other international students in the United States could face a major new financial hurdle if they want to work in the country after graduation.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a $70,000 fee for each international student participating in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows eligible students on F-1 visas to gain temporary work experience related to their field of study.
Under the proposal, the fee would be paid by US educational institutions for a student’s initial participation in OPT, while a further $30,000 would apply for subsequent renewals.
OPT generally allows eligible international graduates to work for up to one year after completing their studies. Students who graduate in qualifying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields can receive an additional 24 months, potentially allowing up to three years of work authorisation.
The proposed charges would represent a dramatic increase from the current system, under which international students generally pay application fees of roughly $500, while universities do not currently face a comparable OPT charge.
DHS said the proposed fee is intended to tackle what it considers fraud and abuse within the OPT system, strengthen the integrity of the immigration process and protect American workers. The department has also argued that the programme has been used as a source of cheap foreign labour.
However, the proposal has already attracted criticism from higher education and immigration experts, who warn that the cost could discourage international students from studying in the US and affect industries that rely on highly skilled foreign graduates.
Fanta Aw, chief executive of NAFSA, an association representing international education, warned that driving international students away could hurt US innovation, economic growth and workforce development.
The proposal is not yet law. DHS is accepting public comments before deciding whether to finalise the rule, and legal challenges are expected if the measure proceeds.
For Nigerian students planning to study in the United States, the development could have significant implications because post-graduation work opportunities through OPT are often an important part of the decision to pursue an American education.
For now, however, the $70,000 fee is only a proposal and is not an existing requirement for Nigerian students.
