Internships For International Students: E-Verify Exemption Explored

International students seeking internships in the US must navigate various regulations and requirements. One crucial aspect is understanding the role of E-Verify, an online system that enables employers to confirm an employee's eligibility to work in the country. While E-Verify is not mandatory for all internships, it is essential for those pursuing Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and impacts decisions between E-Verify enrolled and non-enrolled companies. Additionally, international students should be aware of their immigration status, such as F-1, which brings specific considerations for virtual internships and work authorization requirements. Understanding these nuances is vital for a successful internship search in the US as an international student.

International students can intern in the US as long as it meets their student visa requirements

International students can certainly intern in the US, but they must ensure that they meet the requirements of their student visa. The most common visa for international students in the US is the F-1 visa, which allows students to work an internship during or after school, but only with prior work authorization. This means getting approved for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT allows students to gain practical experience by working an internship or taking part in cooperative education during the school year or on summer break. The internship must be related to the student's major and required to complete their degree.

To get started on their internship journey, international students can use internship search websites like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Idealist.org. They can also reach out directly to organizations they are interested in to inquire about internship opportunities. Additionally, they can consider using an internship placement provider, which can help with the internship application, placement, visa application, and in-country support, although these services typically come with a fee.

It is important to note that for CPT, students can only work for companies that are enrolled in E-Verify, an online system that allows employers to verify the employment eligibility of new hires. While on OPT, students do not need to work for an E-Verify company, but if they plan to stay with the company after OPT ends or do a STEM extension, the company must be enrolled in E-Verify.

Another visa option for internships in the US is the J-1 visa, which is for exchange visitors and includes several categories such as "Intern" and "Trainee". The J-1 visa has strict guidelines and specific requirements, such as the need for a Training/Internship Placement Plan (DS-7002) and a DS-2019 form. The host company must also have valid Worker's Compensation Insurance that covers the interns.

Students on an F-1 visa need work authorization and approval for CPT or OPT

As an international student in the United States, you are likely studying on an F-1 student visa. This visa allows you to work as an intern during or after your studies, but you must obtain work authorization first. Specifically, you need approval for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT).

CPT allows you to gain practical experience by working as an intern or participating in cooperative education during the academic year or on a summer break. To be eligible for CPT, you must have already studied as an F-1 student for at least a year and be enrolled at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school. CPT must be authorized by your Designated School Official (DSO) on a part-time or full-time basis, in accordance with school policies. The internship must be directly related to your major and integral to your program of study. CPT is only required if the training takes place in the United States; it is not needed for internships in your home country.

OPT provides temporary employment authorization for up to 12 months, directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. OPT can be pursued before or after completing academic studies. To apply for OPT, you must submit Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," along with the required fee and supporting documentation to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS will provide an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) upon approval, and you should wait to begin work until you receive this. OPT offers flexibility, as it is not necessary to work for an E-Verify enrolled company during this period. However, if you plan to stay with the same company after your OPT ends or pursue a STEM OPT extension, the company must be enrolled in E-Verify.

It is important to note that if you work full-time for 12 months on CPT, you become ineligible for OPT. Therefore, if you plan to pursue OPT, it is advisable to limit your CPT work to part-time.

CPT allows students to intern during the school year or on summer break

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows international students on an F-1 visa to gain practical experience by interning during the school year or on summer break. CPT is typically done on a part-time basis (up to 20 hours per week) during the school year and full-time during vacation periods. Students can work remotely at home in the US or abroad if the employer allows it and the student adheres to the in-person requirements of their courses.

To qualify for CPT, students must be enrolled in an internship course or a class that requires an internship during the semester they wish to intern. The internship must be related to the student's major and contribute to the required credits to complete their degree. Students must also have been in F-1 student status for at least one academic year in a degree-seeking program before they can apply for CPT.

Students seeking CPT must keep in mind that they can only work at companies that are enrolled in E-Verify. E-Verify is a free, web-based service that allows employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of new hires. On average, 1500 businesses create E-Verify accounts each week, and there are over one million employers enrolled.

To apply for CPT, students must first secure an internship and then submit the required work authorization documents and personal information to verify their work eligibility. Students may also need to provide the name, address, and dates of employment for their proposed CPT employer, and confirm that their most recent I-94 record reflects a class of admission as F-1.

OPT can authorize an internship before or after graduation

International students on an F-1 visa can apply for internships, but they must meet the requirements of their student visa. To gain work authorization, international students can apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT allows students to gain practical experience by interning or taking part in cooperative education during the school year or on summer break. However, for CPT, students can only work at companies enrolled in E-Verify, and they must submit work authorization documents and personal information to verify work eligibility.

OPT is a temporary employment opportunity directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. OPT can be authorized before or after graduation, and students can work up to 20 hours per week while in school or full-time during the summer or after graduation. Students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before or after completing their academic studies, but all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT. For example, if a student works full-time for 12 months on CPT, they will no longer be eligible for OPT.

To apply for OPT, students must complete an OPT course offered by their school and request a recommendation from their designated school official (DSO). The DSO will endorse the student's Form I-20 and make the appropriate notation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Students must then file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, with the required fee and supporting documentation. It is important to carefully consider post-graduation plans before choosing OPT dates, as changing them after submission is difficult and not guaranteed.

Students on OPT do not need to work at an E-Verify company, but if they plan to stay with the company after OPT ends or do a STEM OPT extension, the company must be enrolled in E-Verify. Additionally, students cannot work during the 60-day grace period after their OPT ends, which allows them to prepare for departure, transfer to a new school, or change their visa status.

Overall, while international students can intern in non-E-verified companies, they must ensure they meet visa requirements and carefully navigate work authorizations like CPT and OPT.

E-Verify is an online system used by employers to determine employee eligibility

As an international student, you can apply for an internship as long as it meets the requirements of your student visa. If you're an international student in the United States, you likely have an F-1 student visa, which allows you to work as an intern during or after school, provided you obtain work authorization. This typically involves getting approved for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT enables you to gain practical experience by interning or participating in cooperative education during the school year or summer break.

Now, let's delve into E-Verify and its significance for employers and employees, including international students seeking internships. E-Verify is an online system that enables employers to determine employee eligibility. It is a free, web-based service that allows employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of new hires and existing employees assigned to qualifying federal contracts. E-Verify is a fast and simple-to-use tool, with over 1500 businesses creating accounts each week and more than one million employers enrolled.

The system electronically matches employee information against government records, providing results within seconds. To use E-Verify, employers submit employee information, including work authorization documents and personal details, which are then checked against records from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA). The results can vary, with the most favourable outcome being "Employment Authorized," indicating that the employee's information matches the DHS and SSA records.

For international students on CPT, it is crucial to note that you can only work for companies enrolled in E-Verify. This requirement ensures that your employment eligibility can be verified. While OPT does not mandate working for an E-Verify enrolled company, if you plan to continue working for the same company after your OPT ends or pursue a STEM OPT extension, the company must be enrolled in E-Verify. Therefore, it is advisable to check the company's enrollment status before accepting an OPT offer, as it could impact your long-term plans and decisions.

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