This blog's goal is to present the options for full-time job opportunities and internships available for OPT candidates in USA following graduation. Under certain conditions, foreign students may be able to get work authorization while they are enrolled in classes or after they graduate. The process of applying for temporary work authorization in the United States is simple and has a well-established precedent for international students. An outline of the procedure used when employing foreign students for internships and full-time positions will be given in this document. Contrary to what many employers believe, it is not difficult to obtain permission for foreign students to work in the United States. The majority of foreign students are in the United States on F-1 and J-1 non-immigrant student visas, which allow them to work at OPT jobs in USA under certain restrictions.

F-1 and J-1 are the two non-immigrant student immigration statuses under which the majority of international students who are neither citizen of the United States nor permanent residents enroll in academic programs. This guide will concentrate on hiring F-1 students because most international students retain their status as F-1 students.

Please be aware that for international students, a Social Security number alone does not serve as adequate documentation of employment authorization. In order to avoid future liability for both the student and the employer, it is imperative that employers verify the work authorization of international students before the commencement of employment. When employment starts, all workers need to finish their I-9 process.

Instruction in Practice for F-1 Students

The F-1 visa confers a benefit of practical training. Jobs in fields connected to their academic studies are available to OPT candidates. To be eligible for practical training, students must generally have completed one academic year (fall/spring semester) in F1 status and must continue to maintain their F1 status. Depending on the details, ISS is in charge of recommending or approving employment authorization and making sure students follow the rules. Two categories of hands-on instruction exist: OPT and CPT.

Hiring an Intern for an F-1 International Student

After a year of full-time study, F-1 students may accept practical training in their academic field with the help of Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT), a work authorization program.  One of the most popular categories of CPT opportunities for international students is internships.  During their internships, students may choose to work full- or part-time, depending on the CPT and OPT policy of the institution.  Graduate students may not always need to finish a full academic year in order to be eligible for an internship if their academic program requires them to participate in one during their first year. OPT eligibility is eliminated after 12 months of full-time CPT, but there is no time limit.  The ability to receive OPT is unaffected by part-time CPT work.  Note: If their program requires it, graduate students may accept CPT on the first day of their full-time studies.

The hiring organization is not required to take any action as the student is the only one responsible for applying for CPT. (The internship offer is typically confirmed with a letter from the employer.)

Once the student receives an internship offer, he or she applies online to the sponsoring school, indicating the start and end dates of the internship along with the name and full physical address of the organization. The job title and a thorough job description must also be provided by the student.  The student's international student services office assists with this process. OPT job candidates who participate in either full-time or part-time CPT must remain full-time students for the duration of the academic year in order to comply with U.S. immigration regulations.  They are not required to be enrolled full-time during the summer or other official vacation times.

Role of Employers

  • Maintain active enrollment in E-Verify.
  • Create and carry out a structured training program to help students learn academically by giving them real-world experience. Both the employer and the student sign the training program, which is then turned in for approval to the office of international student services.  At the halfway point and at the conclusion of the 24-month program, the student submits a report on their progress to the office of international student services.
  • Within five business days of the termination of employment, notify the student's international student services office.
  • Anticipate a visit from a government agent to confirm that all requirements for the STEM OPT program are being fulfilled.

Different kinds of work permits

According to federal regulations, a student must quit their job after their academic or practical training is over. Students in F-1 or J-1 status, however, might occasionally be able to apply for a change of status to a work visa, like the H-1B or TN visa.

Foreign nationals hired for "specialty occupations" are granted H-1B visas. To completely carry out the necessary tasks in a specialty occupation, a high level of specialized knowledge must be applied both theoretically and practically. A bachelor's degree or above in a particular field is the minimal requirement for entry into specialty occupations.