On Oct. 8, 2026, a proposed rule from Immigration and Customs Enforcement was published at 91 FR 64566 (FR Doc. 2026-20660, ICEB-2026-0100). It is a proposal, and no fee under it is in effect. Comments on the proposed rule are due Nov. 9, 2026; comments on its information-collection requirements are due Dec. 7, 2026.
As proposed, the SEVP-certified school, not the student, would pay a fee of $70,000 before a school official recommends initial Optional Practical Training, and $30,000 for any later OPT, including a STEM OPT extension.
A proposed rule can be finalized, changed, or withdrawn, and any final rule would be published separately with its own effective date. Coverage of proposals is often repeated as if they were settled, so confirm the current status before acting on anything you read. If you or a family member relies on OPT, ask us about your specific timeline.