The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a substantial increase in fees for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, shifting the financial burden from students to universities. Under the new proposal, colleges would be required to pay $70,000 for each international student recommended for OPT and $30,000 for extension applications. DHS aims to improve programme oversight and curb potential fraud, stating that the move will encourage universities to be more selective in their recommendations. With over 294,000 participants in the 2024/2025 academic year, the policy could significantly impact international student recruitment and university revenues. This initiative follows other restrictive immigration measures by the administration, including recent fee hikes for H-1B visas.