US plans to charge international students $70,000 for work authorization

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on Nikkei Asia or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has proposed charging international students $70,000 for participation in Optional Practical Training (OPT), a programme allowing F-1 visa holders to gain work experience in the U.S.
• The proposal is part of the Trump administration’s broader restrictions on foreign visa holders.

🔭 The context: The proposed fee would apply to certified OPT training and rise to $30,000 for additional work training, compared with current costs of roughly $500
• OPT can provide a pathway from U.S. university study into employment, including for graduates who later seek H-1B visas
• The proposal would undergo 30 days of public comment and, if finalised, take effect after another 60-day implementation period

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The measure has no direct environmental impact
• Indirectly, restrictions on international STEM graduates could affect the U.S. talent pool available to technology and science sectors, including those developing clean-energy and climate technologies.

⏭️ What’s next: The proposal faces a public-comment period and is likely to encounter legal challenges
• DHS says institutions, students and employers would receive 60 days to prepare after any final rule is issued

💬 One quote: DHS said the fees are intended “to combat fraud, strengthen the integrity of the immigration system, and protect U.S. workers”

📈 One stat: $70,000 — the proposed fee for international students seeking OPT work training, versus roughly $500 currently

Subscribe to our free newsletters to never miss a beat in sustainability.

The world needs sustainability knowledge. At illuminem, no interest group or shareholder can influence our work. Thank you for supporting our mission to make high-quality and independent sustainability information free for all. Every contribution helps. Thanks for donating today