Hiring International Students

Studies show the benefits of hiring international employees include more diverse thought, experience, and language that improve businesses. International employees also provide global expertise and unique perspectives for problem solving and decision making.

International students on an F-1 visa are hired through the CPT or OPT processes. CPT is the process for hiring international students for internships who are still enrolled at UMBC. OPT is the process for hiring international students who have graduated and are seeking full-time employment.

CPT is a type of work authorization that allows F-1 students to accept off-campus employment as part of their academic curriculum. Internships and practicums are the most common types of CPT opportunities.

Employer Responsibilities:

1. Job Offer Letter: Provide a letter detailing the student’s name, job title, duties, hours per week, location, and employment dates.
2. Employment Start: Ensure the student has received authorization from their school’s international student office before they begin working.

Key Points:

• Students must have completed one full academic year before being eligible for CPT.
• CPT authorization typically takes 1-2 weeks.
• CPT can be full-time or part-time employment but must be related to the student’s major.
• There is no cost to the employer.

OPT is a work authorization allowing F-1 students to work in their field of study for up to 12 months after graduation. Students in STEM fields may be eligible for a 24-month extension (see OPT STEM extension section), making a total of 36 months of OPT.

Employer Responsibilities:

1. Job Offer Letter: Provide a letter detailing the student’s name, job title, duties, hours per week, location, and employment dates.
2. Employment Start: Ensure the student has received their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) before they begin working.

Key Points:

• Recruit students 90 days before they will start employment.
• Students must apply for OPT authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and receive an EAD card, which takes 3-5 months.
• Students must complete their academic programs to be eligible for OPT, but they can submit their OPT applications to USCIS up to 90 days before completion.
• Employer sponsorship is NOT required.
• There is no cost to the employer.

The STEM OPT extension allows F-1 students who have earned a degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field to extend their OPT for an additional 24 months, providing up to 36 months of total work authorization.

Employer Responsibilities:

1. E-Verify Enrollment: Ensure the company is enrolled in the E-Verify program.
2. Progress and Compliance: Conduct regular check-ins and complete annual evaluations to track the student’s progress as required by the I-983.
3. Reporting: Report any material changes in employment or termination of the student within five business days.

Key Points:

• The student and employer must complete the I-983 Training Plan, which outlines the training program and how it relates to the student’s STEM degree.
• Employers must be enrolled in E-Verify to extend employment on STEM OPT.
• The student’s job must be directly related to their STEM field of study.
• Employers should be prepared for potential site visits by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure compliance with STEM OPT requirements.
• There is no cost to the employer.

The H-1B visa is for foreign nationals in specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge and a bachelor’s or higher degree. Employers must sponsor the H-1B visa.

Employer Responsibilities:

1. H-1B Petition: The employer is responsible for filing the H-1B petition on behalf of the international employee.
2. Cost: inclusive of attorney and USCIS application fees, the total cost to apply for an H-1B visa can be between $3000 – $7000.

Key Points:

• The H-1B visa allows employment for up to six years.
• There is an annual cap on new H-1B visas.
• The application can be filed up to six months in advance of the employment start date.
• The applicant is selected based on a lottery of all registrations received.
• The total cost to apply for an H1-B visa can vary between $3000 – $7000.