Trump considers $100,000 charge for foreign graduates staying to work in US

The United States (US) government under the leadership of President Donald Trump continues to introduce draconian immigration measures and policies.

The latest measure, according to multiple reports, involves the introduction of a whopping $100,000 fee for international graduates who want to stay in the US and work after their education.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration is currently considering imposing the $100,000 fee on foreign students who graduate from American universities and seek employment in the US.

The report indicated that if implemented, the move would reduce the appeal of studying in the US to international students, which would impact not only universities reliant on stable income from recruiting international students.

It added that the move would also affect major companies in Silicon Valley and Wall Street that heavily hire graduating international students to fill technical positions.

In July 2026, the Trump administration introduced new measures that impose time limits on visas issued to foreign students, exchange visitors and journalists.

Under the measure, which is expected to affect Ghanaians and other international students seeking to study or work in the United States, foreign students will no longer be allowed to remain in the country indefinitely after their studies.

A statement issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on July 16, 2026, said international students and exchange visitors will generally be limited to a stay of four years.

Additionally, the DHS added that the departure grace period for F-1 students after graduation has been reduced from 60 days to 30 days, meaning they will have less time to prepare to leave the United States, transfer to another school, or change their immigration status.

The rule also requires visa holders who need more time to complete their academic programmes to apply directly to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an Extension of Stay (EOS) or leave the country and apply to come back.

Under the new process, oversight will shift from universities to federal immigration authorities, with applicants required to undergo biometric screening, background checks and fraud vetting.

The statement said the new measures are intended to eliminate what it described as the "duration of status" loophole, which it said had allowed international students and other visa holders to remain in the United States for extended periods.

“Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the publication of a final rule that officially eliminates the “duration of status” loophole that allowed foreign students, exchange visitors, and media representatives to remain in the United States indefinitely without routine government oversight,” it stated.

Ghanaian students in US face 30-day post-graduation stay limit under new visa rules

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