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, as reported on Thursday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, The Wall Street Journal highlighted that the administration is evaluating the potential of attaching this fee to the "optional practical training (OPT)" program. This program currently permits foreign university graduates to work in the U.S. for durations ranging from one to three years while on student visas.

The potential imposition of this fee could impact U.S. universities in their efforts to attract foreign students, as well as affect Silicon Valley and Wall Street firms that often employ international graduates in technical roles. The report indicated that approximately 419,000 foreigners were working under the OPT program in 2024.

The consideration of this fee follows President Trump's previous move to introduce a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B nonimmigrant visa applications for highly skilled foreign workers. However, a recent U.S. appeals court decision blocked this H-1B fee proclamation, supporting a lower court's ruling.

The Department of Homeland Security is currently discussing the proposed OPT fee. It remains uncertain whether the White House will approve the fee and whether the financial responsibility will fall on the foreign students or their potential employers.