Hiring International Students

The W. P. Carey MBA program is pleased to have a diverse international student population in its program. As a recruiting organization, you will find some general information about hiring international students listed on this site. This information is general in nature and each organization is encouraged to consult with professional counsel regarding specific legal requirements.

Full-time Employment

International students attending the W. P. Carey MBA program generally hold an F-1 visa status. The Bureau of Customs and Immigration Services (BCIS) permits employers to hire these students once they have completed their course of study in a status called Optional Practical Training.

• Optional Practical Training is generally considered employment related to the student's course of study.
• Students holding an F-1 visa are eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training employment before completion of their degree or following graduation.
• Students will need to work with the International Student Office in order to obtain an Employment Authorization Document. It is helpful if employers provide an offer letter to aid in this process.
• There are no fees associated with hiring a student for Optional Practical Training.

Internship Employment

International students under consideration for internship opportunities may be employed under a special status called Curricular Practical Training.

• Employers will provide students with an offer letter detailing the position, its application to the student's degree program, job title, dates of employment and hours to be worked.
• Students will work with the International Student Office in order to obtain an endorsement on their I-20 ID for curricular practical training.
• Students also enroll for an internship course for which they must have a faculty member monitoring their progress.
• There are no fees to the employer associated with hiring a student for Curricular Practical Training. Students may be required to pay tuition associated with the course credit they receive.

Long-term Employment

In many cases, an international student may continue to be employed after the conclusion of the Optional Practical Training period provided that a change to another visa type is approved by the BCIS. The most common of these visas is an H-1B visa.

• The employer petitions for the H-1B visa through the Department of Labor and the INS.
• The visa is intended for professional employment and may be held for three years with an additional 3 year extension possible.
• Fees associated with obtaining the H-1B visa may be paid by the employer or the employee and legal consultation is strongly recommended.

Less stringent regulations and visa programs may apply to Canadian and Mexican citizens as a result of rules under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

More detailed information regarding Student Visa Information may be found on the website of the International Student Office.

As always, consult your company's professional counsel regarding specific legal requirements. The information provided here is for use as a general guideline and is not meant to be all inclusive nor does it address all of the specific legal requirements for hiring international students. It is the responsibility of the employer and the student to obtain all necessary employment authorizations.