The report said the proposed fee could be tied to the ‘Optional Practical Training’ (OPT) program. Under this program, international students get the opportunity to work in the United States for one to three years after their studies, depending on the subject.

Currently, the proposal is under consideration by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). However, it is not yet clear whether there is formal White House support on the matter.

Additionally, no final decision has been made yet on which category of students the proposed fee would apply to.

According to analysts, if the proposal is implemented, it could become a major financial barrier for international students planning employment in the US after completing higher education. In particular, the opportunity to gain work experience through the OPT program could become limited for many.

So far, no formal announcement has been made by the US government on this matter. The proposal is still under review at the policy-making stage.