On October 8, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security published a proposed rule that would require SEVP-certified institutions to pay $70,000 for an F-1 student’s initial Optional Practical Training (OPT) recommendation and $30,000 for subsequent recommendations, including STEM OPT extensions. The proposal is not currently in effect, and existing OPT application procedures and fees remain unchanged.
On September 14, 2026, U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV granted nationwide preliminary relief in Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (D. Mass., No. 1:26-cv-13799), the lawsuit challenging the Department of Homeland Security final rule that would have replaced Duration of Status (D/S) with fixed periods of admission for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors.
On August 12 and August 24, 2026, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued broadcast messages(link) to Designated School Officials setting out a narrower interpretation of when Curricular Practical Training may be considered an integral part of an established curriculum. Under this interpretation, CPT should be authorized only where the practical training is required of every student in the program, and the degree cannot be completed without it.
On July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule to change the current I-94 Duration of Status (D/S) to instead issue an exact date in which an individual can be in the U.S. lawfully for F and J nonimmigrants students and scholars.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a policy update on December 12th, 2025 introducing enhanced photo and identity verification procedures for certain immigration benefit applications, including Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization), which is used for Optional Practical Training (OPT).