The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has moved forward with plans to introduce new fees for the H-1B visa and F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs.
A proposed rule related to OPT fees was submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review on August 20. Separately, a proposal covering fees for certain H-1B petitions was submitted on August 19 and cleared federal review the same day.
Details of both proposals remain confidential and are expected to become public once they are published in the Federal Register. Neither proposal appeared in DHS’s latest regulatory agenda.
According to reports, DHS could propose a fee of up to $100,000 for OPT applications. However, the exact amount has not yet been officially confirmed.
The proposed H-1B fee may be linked to an ongoing lawsuit over a presidential proclamation that introduced a $100,000 fee for certain H-1B petitions. That measure is currently blocked by a court.
The latest proposals come as both the H-1B and F-1 programs face broader regulatory changes.
DHS has recently expanded a fee applying to petitioners that employ a high number of H-1B and L-1 workers, alongside other changes affecting the H-1B program.
The F-1 student program is also covered by another regulation involving J-1 exchange visitors and I-category foreign media representatives. The rule gives participants a fixed period of authorized stay and introduces additional compliance requirements. It is currently being challenged in federal court.
The OPT fee proposal is expected to be published in the Federal Register once it clears federal review. The H-1B proposal, which has already completed that stage, is also expected to move toward publication.
Both proposals are likely to undergo a 30- or 60-day public comment period before DHS reviews the feedback and publishes final regulations with implementation dates.
This means the proposed fees will not take effect immediately.
The post US to Impose Massive New Fees for Work and Student Visas appeared first on ProPakistani.