The administration of US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a proposal that would require international university graduates to pay USD 100,000 to obtain permission to work in the United States after completing their studies under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the proposal is still under consideration and has not been officially announced. The OPT programme currently allows eligible international students to work in the US for up to three years after graduation, depending on their field of study.

The reported plan has sparked widespread criticism online, with many arguing that such a high fee could discourage talented international students from studying and working in the US. Official figures show that around 419,000 international graduates were employed through the OPT programme in 2024.

The report comes shortly after legal challenges blocked the administration's attempt to impose a similar USD 100,000 fee on certain H-1B visa applicants. Experts warn that introducing a fee for OPT could affect US universities, employers, and the country's ability to attract skilled global talent.