The following message was sent to F-1 students on 14 October 2026.
On October 8, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule titled Optional Practical Training Fees. The proposed rule is specific to F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) and does not apply to Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or J-1 Academic Training.
The proposed rule introduces a:
- $70,000 USD fee for an F-1 student’s first OPT application. This may be a request for pre-completion or post-completion OPT.
- $30,000 USD fee for each subsequent OPT application. This may be for a second pre-completion OPT, post-completion OPT, or STEM Extension application.
The proposed rule states the fee must be paid before an I-20 can be issued with a recommendation for pre-completion OPT, post-completion OPT, or STEM Extension. The fee must be remitted by the university, but the fee amount may be paid by the student, employer, or university.
The proposed rule is currently in a public comment period through November 9, 2026. The rule is not final and is not enforceable at this time.
UW-Madison and ISS continue to review the proposed rule. We will update this information as we learn more. If the proposed rule is finalized and goes into effect, ISS will communicate directly with affected students. For more information about federal immigration updates, please visit the Resources on Immigration Issues webpage.