US University OPT Fee List
This list summarizes the additional fees that US universities (usually the International Student and Scholar Services office, ISSS) charge on their own during the OPT application process — for example, the OPT SEVIS Maintenance Fee or OPT processing fees. Because the fee name, amount, and timing vary by school, this page consolidates them for easy comparison.
This is a school fee, not the USCIS application fee
The fees in this list are service/maintenance fees that schools charge on top of the federal fee. They are separate from the federal I-765 filing fee paid to USCIS (which is the same nationwide). When applying for OPT, you typically need to pay both.
School Fee Overview
| School | State | Fee Name | Amount | When Charged | Payment Method | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Methodist University (SMU) | TX | OPT SEVIS Maintenance Fee | $102 | When applying for Post-Completion OPT | ISSS e-Store | Official Checklist |
How to Use This List
- Budget planning: Before applying for OPT, include the school fee together with the federal USCIS filing fee in your budget.
- Check the timing: Note when each fee is charged — some schools require payment before issuing the OPT I-20 recommendation, and the payment receipt is often a required document.
- Defer to official sources: Amounts and procedures may change by term. Always confirm with each school's ISSS website and latest notices; the "Source" column links to each school's official document.
Contributions welcome
If a school you attend or know of also charges its own OPT fee, contributions are welcome. Create a new page named after the school in this folder and add a row to the table above.