My radar · Start from where you are
F-1 student now. H-1B employment next. Keep the changes that matter to you in view.
Where I am F-1 student CPT internship OPT / STEM OPT H-1B lottery H-1B petition H-1B employment Family / green card My next step F-1 student CPT internship OPT / STEM OPT H-1B lottery H-1B petition H-1B employment Family / green card Not decided 1 relevant now · 10 on your next steps
Your policy radar Direction is stage · Distance is timing
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Your policy radar F-1 CPT OPT H-1B lottery H-1B petition H-1B at work Family & GC Today Half year A year and a half You 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 S E Severe
Selected policy 01
Proposed $70,000 Initial OPT Fee
Impact 9.7/10 · Severe impact
Source Genuine community ratings38 genuine ratings
Status Proposed rule · Comments through November 9
Timing AI estimate · 2027-03 – 2028-03 Low confidence
Relevance On your upcoming path · OPTF-1 students planning to apply for OPT (before graduation, after graduation or a STEM extension), their schools and employers. Prospective students choosing schools should also watch: schools may handle this cost very differently. Estimate basis & applicability The school pays the fee; each school decides whether it, the student or the employer ultimately covers it.
Timing estimate · For reference: one DHS rule took about 11 months from its December 2015 proposal to its November 2016 final rule; another took about 14 months from October 2023 to December 2024. We give a wide window based on how far this rule has gotten; it could come sooner or later, be withdrawn or never take effect.
Estimate baseline · 2026-09-30
2016 DHS rulemaking precedent 2024 DHS rulemaking precedent
Federal Register October 8 OPT fee NPRM Official OPT fee NPRM PDF
Read policy & sources
Policies on your path By impact Current stage · 1 Next steps · 10 All relevant · 11 Severe impact AI estimate · 2027-03 – 2028-03 01 Proposed $70,000 Initial OPT FeeProposed rule · Comments through November 9 Genuine community ratings · 9.7/10 38 genuine ratings Severe impact In force 05 August 12 / 24 CPT GuidanceGuidance in use · November 6 hearing held; ruling pending Genuine community ratings · 9.4/10 16 genuine ratings Severe impact AI estimate · 2027-03 – 2028-03 08 Ending the 60-Day Grace PeriodProposed rule · Comments due November 10 Genuine community ratings · 9.4/10 18 genuine ratings Severe impact AI estimate · 2026-12 – 2027-09 02 $103,265 H-1B SurchargeProposed rule · Comment period closed Genuine community ratings · 9.3/10 31 genuine ratings High impact AI estimate · 2026-12 – 2027-09 10 I-765 Criminal-Record ReviewComment period closed · Not in effect AI impact estimate · 8/10 8 genuine ratings · Low confidence High impact AI estimate · 2026-12 – 2027-09 06 H-1B / PERM Wage FloorsFinal rule at OIRA · Not in effect Genuine community ratings · 7.8/10 13 genuine ratings High impact In force 04 Wage-Weighted H-1B SelectionIn effect · Used beginning with FY2027 Genuine community ratings · 7.5/10 15 genuine ratings Moderate impact AI estimate · 2027-06 – 2028-09 07 H-1B Eligibility ReformUnder OIRA review · Not in effect AI impact estimate · 7/10 8 genuine ratings · Low confidence Moderate impact Order issued · implementation ongoing 13 H-1B Layoff-Review Executive OrderSigned · Agencies implementing AI impact estimate · 6/10 4 genuine ratings · Low confidence Moderate impact AI estimate · 2027-04 – 2028-04 14 Renewal DeferenceProposed rule · Comments due November 13 AI impact estimate · 5/10 2 genuine ratings · Low confidence Below 10 genuine ratings, a separate AI estimate is shown. At 10 ratings, the genuine average takes priority.