NIGERIAN STUDENTS FACE POTENTIAL $70,000 US WORK AUTHORIZATION FEE

A proposed US immigration rule could dramatically change the cost of transitioning from international student to temporary worker, with the Trump administration proposing a $70,000 fee for participation in the Optional Practical Training programme.

The proposal could affect Nigerian students and other international students who rely on the programme to gain professional experience after studying in the United States.

WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED

The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed that international students holding F-1 visas pay at least $70,000 for Optional Practical Training. An additional $30,000 could apply to further training.

The current OPT application fee is roughly $500, according to Reuters.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the proposed charge is not specifically targeted at Nigerians. It would apply broadly to eligible international students under the affected programme.

WHY NIGERIAN STUDENTS SHOULD CARE

Thousands of Nigerians pursue education in the United States, with some hoping to gain professional experience through OPT after graduation.

The programme is particularly important to students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics because eligible STEM graduates can qualify for extended work authorisation.

A $70,000 institutional cost could significantly alter that pathway.

WHO WOULD PAY?

The proposal places the fee on certified institutions in connection with the student’s training. The administration argues that the measure would combat fraud, strengthen immigration-system integrity and protect American workers.

Universities and other critics, however, have warned that such a large financial burden could discourage international students and hurt sectors that depend on skilled foreign graduates.

IT IS NOT YET FINAL

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This is a proposed rule, not an immediately enforceable $70,000 charge.The proposal is subject to a public-comment process and could face legal challenges.

ValidViewNetwork can confirm that the distinction between a proposal and an enacted regulation is important. Students should therefore not assume that every F-1 student currently faces a $70,000 payment.

ValidViewNetwork authoritatively reports that the proposed policy nevertheless represents a potentially significant shift in the economics of studying and working in the United States.

For Nigerian students planning US education, the development is another reason to assess the full cost of international study, including tuition, visa requirements, living expenses and post-graduation work rules.