If you are meeting with an employer who is not familiar with the International student visa process. You can speak to them and educate them about what it entails.
Common Terms & What Employers Need to Know
- F-1 Visa: My student visa status that allows me to study in the US
- OPT (Optional Practical Training): A program that gives me 12 months of work authorization
after graduation at no cost to the employer - STEM Extension: An additional 24 months for STEM majors like Computer Science, totaling 3
years of work authorization - E-Verify: An online system to verify work eligibility – it’s free and easy for employers to enroll
- H-1B Visa: A work visa for specialty occupations that allows me to work long-term; many tech
companies sponsor these - Cap-Exempt vs Cap-Subject: Whether an H-1B petition goes through the annual lottery or can
be filed any time.
Good to know for Employers
- OPT costs nothing – no filing fees, no legal costs
- STEM OPT is 3 full years of normal employment
- You can hire international students just like any other entry-level candidate during OPT
- Many of your competitors already sponsor international students
- H-1B sponsorship typically costs $5,000–$10,000 (small compared to salary)
How does this benefit an Employer?
- Access to global talent pool
- 3 year “trial period” before H-1B commitment
- Demonstrated English proficiency (US degree)
- Cultural adaptability
- High retention rates (sponsored employees stay longer)
Framework for Hiring F-1 Students
YEAR 1–3 (OPT/STEM Period)
- “You can hire me exactly like any US worker”
- No visa paperwork for employer to file initially
- I handle my own OPT application (with international student office support)
- For STEM extension: You’ll need to complete Form I-983 (Training Plan) – it’s straightforward
- Must be enrolled in E-Verify (free), only for STEM Extension
YEAR 3+ (H-1B Period)
- Filing deadline: Typically March/April for October start
- Employer responsibilities: File petition with USCIS, pay filing fees (~$5–10K)
- If not selected in lottery, can re-apply next year while I continue on STEM OPT
