US Immigration Fee Update: Proposed F-1 OPT and H-1B Fees Are Not Final

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has sent two proposed immigration fee rules through White House review. An F-1 OPT fee proposal was sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on August 20, 2026, while a separate H-1B petition fee proposal cleared OMB review on August 19, 2026.

The actual fee amounts remain confidential until DHS publishes the proposed rules in the Federal Register. Media reports have suggested a possible $100,000 fee for F-1 OPT, but this is a reported figure and is not a confirmed fee.

Neither proposal is in effect yet. Before either proposed fee could apply, the relevant rule would need to be published in the Federal Register, followed by a 30–60 day public comment period and a final rule.

F-1 students, OPT applicants, H-1B workers, and employers should therefore not treat reported fee figures as final requirements. The latest official DHS and Federal Register updates should be checked for any confirmed fee, implementation date, and final regulatory requirements.