Seoul: U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is considering a proposal to impose a US$100,000 fee on foreign students who wish to work in the United States after graduating from American universities. This potential policy change was reported on Thursday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Wall Street Journal has cited sources familiar with the discussions indicating that the administration is exploring the idea of linking this fee to the "optional practical training (OPT)" program. This program currently allows foreign graduates to work in the U.S. for one to three years on student visas.

The proposed fee could have significant implications for U.S. universities, which may face challenges in attracting foreign students. Furthermore, industries like Silicon Valley and Wall Street, which often employ international graduates in technical roles, might also be affected by this development.

Currently, approximately 419,000 foreign nationals are working in the U.S. under the OPT program as of 2024 data. The consideration of this hefty fee follows a previous measure by President Trump, who signed a proclamation last September to impose a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications for highly skilled foreign workers.