The GW Career Center - The George Washington University

Hiring International Students

GW enrolls approximately 1,800 international students from over 128 countries; most study at the graduate level. International students bring cross-cultural communication and multicultural perspective to the workplace, in addition to the knowledge gained from their studies at GW. It is imperative you know the different rules that govern employment eligibility for international students.

This page defines a non-immigrant international student—a student who is not seeking permanent residency in the United States—and answers general questions about the employment eligibility of most the common types of international student visa holders.

What is an international student?
Can international students work off campus in the U.S.?
What if I want to hire international students after their practical training?
Where can I find more information on nonimmigrant workers?

What is an international student?

An international student is a citizen of another country who has come to the United States to complete a program of study at an American college or university.

Types of international students

F-1 Students

Students who enter the United States on the F-1 visa type come to earn a degree at an American college or university such as GW. They are not simultaneously enrolled in a university in their home countries; they are GW students and will receive GW diplomas.

J-1 Students

Students who enter the United States on the J-1 type visa come to the United States as international exchange students to complete a portion of their degree programs here. They are enrolled in a university in another country and after their exchange program ends, they will return home to complete their studies and receive their degrees from the home country university.

Can international students work off campus in the U.S.?

Yes, both F-1 and J-1 students are eligible for paid employment at off-campus locations when the work is related to their field of study. Certain conditions apply.

F-1 Students: Practical Training

An F-1 student can work for a maximum of 12 months at an off-campus job in what is called “practical training.” The 12 months can be used while the student is pursuing the degree or after the degree has been obtained. There are two types of “practical training: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Curricular Practical Training

CPT is for international students who have not yet graduated.
Work experience must be deemed an integral part of the student’s established curriculum.
In general, students must have completed one year of study in F-1 status.
The University, not a federal agency, authorizes CPT.
GW’s International Services Office (http://gwired.gwu.edu/iso) will advise F-1 students about how to obtain off-campus employment while remaining in compliance with visa regulations.
Most F-1 students seeking paid internships, co-op jobs or practicums do so through CPT.
You may be asked to provide a letter describing the job offer that you have extended to the student.
At GW, all international students hired into co-op jobs must come to the GW Career Center and register for the GW Co-op Program. Your co-op student can go to our site's co-op section for more information.

Optional Practical Training

OPT is the mechanism by which most F-1 students will work off-campus within 12 months of completing their degree programs.
The U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), a federal agency, authorized this employment based on a recommendation from GW’s International Services Office (http://gwired.gwu.edu/iso).
BCIS issues an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which displays the student’s name, photo and valid dates of employment authorization.
Processing time for BCIS to create an EAD is generally two to three months. Students cannot begin working until they have the EAD.
You may be asked to provide a letter describing the job offer that you have extended to the student.

J-1 Students: Academic Training

A J-1 student who spends time in the U.S. as an international exchange visitor can work off campus for up to 18 months in an “academic training” position.
The nature of the work must directly relate to the academic program the student is pursuing here.
You may be asked to present a letter describing the job offer that you have extended to the student.
Authorization to work is granted by GW’s International Services Office. (http://gwired.gwu.edu/iso)

What if I want to hire international students after their practical training?

If you wish to continue to employ an international student after the duration of the CPT, OPT, or academic training has expired, you may be able to do so under the H-1B visa program.
H-1B visas are issued by the BCIS for up to a maximum of six years—two three-year periods.
A bachelors degree is usually required.
The wage you offer must meet the U.S. Department of Labor’s “prevailing wage” standards.
This is a temporary visa; you are not sponsoring the student for permanent status in the U.S.
A labor attorney can best advise you about the H-1B process. Costs are minimal, but it’s essential to plan ahead to avoid causing the student to fall “out of status” with respect to employment in the U.S.

Where can I find more information on nonimmigrant workers?

Visit the United States Customs and Immigration Enforcement (“ICE”) webpage for employers: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/faqs/information_employers_nonimmigrant_students.htm

There, you will find the answers to questions such as:

What visa classifications allow nonimmigrants to work?
What are an employer’s responsibilities in hiring a foreign worker?
How can I tell if a nonimmigrant student is authorized to work?
What should the letter from the employer to the Social Security Administration regarding an F-1 student’s on-campus employment include?
Does a nonimmigrant student who is authorized for employment need to have a Social Security card prior to starting work or receiving a paycheck?
Will my organization be penalized by the Internal Revenue Service if I fail to supply a Social Security number or taxpayer identification number when reporting withholdings?
Whom do I contact if one of my student employees is having a problem getting a Social Security card?
Do I pay Social Security taxes for nonimmigrant students?
What combinations of documents are acceptable for Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification?
Where can I find more information for employers on Social Security issues?