Hiring International Students

With our international student talent spanning across all concentrations of our MBA and MS programs you’ll find our international students ready and willing to contribute to your company’s success. 

There are clear pathways within U.S. law that enable employers to easily hire international students granting them the opportunity to secure work authorization, either while they're still studying or after they graduate. Read below to learn more. 

International Students at CSULB 

  • International students come from over 30 different countries and are enrolled in every school of the University, pursuing full-time studies from the undergraduate to the graduate level.  
  • Most international students at CSULB are students who already have a degree and/or significant work experience before enrolling at the University. 
  • International students enter the United States using one of two student visas. Most students are classified as F-1 students at CSULB.  
  • International students can qualify for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows them to work in the US during and after graduation without the need for corporate sponsorship. 

Advantages of Hiring International Students 

  • Increased global diversity for your organizations 
  • Large pool of qualified candidates open to opportunities  
  • Availability for internships and full-time opportunities through CPT and OPT CSULB international students are highly skilled, multilingual, and have diverse, global backgrounds. 
  • Minimal paperwork is required to hire international students.  
  • Employment authorization is possible without applying for permanent residency (green card). 
  • Employment eligibility is easily verifiable. 

For a Hiring International Students downloadable guide, visit this page.

 

Many times, outstanding international candidates are disqualified early in the application process due to confusion around standard questions like “Do you have legal authorization to work?” or “Will You Now or in the Future Require Sponsorship to Work in the US?” 

Here’s what you can do to make the process better:  

  • Change the wording or allow additional context for students to indicate or explain their OPT or CPT status. Allow them the opportunity or space to explain whether they are currently utilizing OPT or CPT, along with any relevant details such as the duration and specific terms of their employment authorizations. 
  • Being flexible with the start date of a job as international students cannot apply for OPT earlier than 90 days in advance.  

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is work authorization that allows international students to accept practical training in their academic field after one year of full-time study. Internship programs are some of the most common types of CPT opportunities for international students. 

Details and Duration: 

  • For part- or full-time internships (20 hours a week during the school year and 40 hours a week during the summer).
  • Work must be related to the major/field of study, count toward degree requirements, and occur before a student completes their academic program. 
  • Students are eligible after they complete two semesters or one full academic year of their program. In some cases, graduate students may not need to fulfill a full academic year before becoming eligible for internships if their academic program mandates internship participation in the first year. 
  • 12 months of full-time CPT eliminates eligibility for OPT. Part-time CPT employment does not affect eligibility for OPT. 

Employer Requirements: 

Provide an offer letter that is on the company letterhead that includes the mandatory information: 

  • Specific start and end dates 
  • Specific number of work hours per week 
  • Detailed description of the work student will perform 
  • Employer’s company’s EIN# 
  • Employer’s U.S. street address 
  • Employer’s signature and date 

Students cannot begin working until receiving CPT authorization. 

Cost:  

For employers: None 

As an employer, what do I ask for as proof of CPT authorization? 

Along with any regular I-9 documentation collected at the time of hire, you should also ask for a copy of the student’s Form I-20. On the second page, (if properly authorized for CPT) you will see an “Employment Authorizations” section with your organization’s information and the CPT approval dates reflected. This endorsement constitutes the student’s authorization to work for the stated period. 

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit of international students to apply for and be granted employment authorization for 12 months (or longer for STEM degrees, typically up to 3 years). OPT is a work authorization that allows international students to accept practical training. 

How is this different from CPT? 

  • Work does not have to count toward degree requirements. 
  • Students can work up to 12 months at 20+ hours per week. Students may be eligible to extend OPT for an additional 24 months if they are a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) major. 
  • Students are eligible if they’ve completed two semesters or one full academic year and have completed their academic program. 
  • 12 months of full-time CPT eliminates eligibility for OPT. Part-time CPT employment does not affect eligibility for OPT 

Employer Requirements:

None for OPT.  

There are reporting requirements for employers using the OPT STEM extension. Employers will need to assist students with completing the Form I-983. The student should complete page 1 of the form. The remainder of the form should be completed by the student and employer together. The US government has provided specific instructions for employers on completing this form. 

Cost:

For employers: None 

 

Applications for H-1Bs are submitted to the USCIS by the sponsoring company on behalf of the international employee. Each fiscal year, for-profit companies are allowed only 65,000 H-1Bs for candidates who have completed undergraduate degrees, and an additional 20,000 are available for those who have completed graduate degrees in the U.S. Certain non-profit employers are not subject to the H-1B cap numbers. 

Details and Duration: 

  • Valid for three years and can be extended for an additional three years for a total of 6 years.  
  • Work must be related to major/field of study. 

Student Requirements: 

Students cannot apply on their own or sponsor themselves. They must work with an employer to provide documents required for visa sponsorship. 

Employer Requirements: 

Must follow easy steps toward H1-B sponsorship. Visit the US Citizenship & Immigration Services website to learn more 

Cost: 

For employers: Varies between $3K -$7k (not including attorney fees)