Washington. It may now become expensive for foreign students studying in America to get a job. The Trump administration has proposed imposing hefty fees for international students to participate in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. However, this amount will not be taken directly from the students, but from the concerned college or university.
In fact, the Department of Homeland Security has proposed to impose a huge fee of $ 70,000 (Indian ₹ 67.72 lakh) on the initial application for the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for foreign students. The school will have to pay $70,000 for each new student's initial application to the OPT program. At the same time, a fee of $30,000 is proposed to extend or renew the program.
What is OPT program?
Under OPT, foreign students get a chance to work in America in the field related to their studies. Generally students can work for one year after graduation. At the same time, students of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths i.e. STEM subjects can get a chance to work for additional two years.
American colleges and universities may be affected by this proposal, because they enroll a large number of foreign students. Foreign students are an important source of fees for these institutions. Apart from this, tech companies and other industries may also be affected where foreign students are recruited in large numbers.
Why did the government take this decision?
The Department of Homeland Security has described this fee as an effort to prevent alleged fraud and abuse in the visa program. The department has described OPT as a medium used for cheap foreign labour. At the same time, NAFSA, an organization representing the international education sector, has opposed this proposal. The organization's CEO Fanta Ava said that turning international students away from the United States could impact American innovation, economic growth, employment and global leadership.
Opinion will be sought on the proposal for 60 days
This is not the final decision yet. The public will get a chance to register their opinions and objections on the proposal for 60 days. After this DHS can finalize it and implement it. However, there is also a possibility of this proposal being challenged in court by higher education institutions and business organizations. Such legal action may delay its implementation.