Janice Lozano
International students seeking employment opportunities can explore various avenues to find companies that value their diverse skill sets. In the United States, international students with an American master's degree can legally seek jobs, and many leading Fortune 500 companies provide work permits and sponsor work visas. Well-known companies like Deloitte, Facebook, Microsoft, Intel, Adobe Systems, and Cisco Systems are among those that have hired international students. Additionally, the tech industry, including software and hardware companies, is a prominent sector for international student recruitment, especially those with STEM backgrounds. Financial services, accounting, and consulting firms also offer internships and employment opportunities for international students. To navigate the job market effectively, international students can benefit from early planning, networking, utilizing recruiting agencies, and understanding the unique hiring processes and visa policies of prospective employers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Companies in the US are more likely to hire international students. |
| Company Type | Large, well-known companies, including Fortune 500 companies, are more likely to hire international students. |
| Industry | Tech companies, especially those in computer science or related fields, are more likely to hire international students. |
| Job Type | Internships, part-time jobs, and full-time jobs are all options for international students. |
| Visa Sponsorship | Some companies offer visa sponsorship for international students, but this is not common. |
| Recruitment Process | Networking, career fairs, and using HR consulting and recruiting firms or agencies can help international students find job opportunities. |
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What You'll Learn
Companies that offer OPT jobs
The economic situation for international students in the USA on OPT/CPT visas is challenging, with many companies denying applications from international students. However, there are still companies that offer OPT jobs to international students.
OPTnation helps OPT candidates meet employers in various cities, including New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Diego. OPT jobs in New York often have openings in finance, marketing, data analytics, and design. OPT jobs in California involve working in cutting-edge fields and technology, with jobs in software engineering, AI, machine learning, and digital media. OPTnation also offers a Best Job Placement guarantee program with training and support in building a professional resume.
United OPT is the biggest international student community in the USA and is also known for its job portal for OPT visa holders. The company has more than 50,000 subscribed recruiters offering entry-level OPT jobs in IT engineering, Java, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and network engineering.
HiCounselor has a free search tool to browse companies that help with H-1B visas, which can be narrowed down by city or salary range. They also offer a career accelerator program that provides mentorship from industry leaders employed at FAANG companies.
Additionally, there are several smaller companies that can help international students get OPT jobs and provide security and stability. Students can also look for opportunities around their location by reaching out to small firms and companies and applying for internships.
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Companies that offer CPT jobs
CPT, or Curricular Practical Training, is a work visa that allows international students on an F1 Visa to gain practical work experience in their field of study. CPT jobs are a great way for international students to gain experience from the very beginning of their degree programs. They can work part-time for 20 hours per week or full-time for 40 hours per week.
While finding CPT jobs can be challenging, some US employers are familiar with the program. Here are some well-known companies that offer CPT jobs:
- Adobe
- Amazon
- Barclays
- Citi
- CVS
- DoorDash
- Goldman Sachs
- IBM
- JPMorgan Chase
- Moody's
- PayPal
- Tesla
- UBS
- Walmart Labs
- WeWork
- Microsoft
These companies offer a range of internships, co-op programs, and part-time jobs that are relevant to the academic curriculum of CPT students. For example, Google, Microsoft, and IBM offer software development internships, while Amazon and Facebook provide opportunities in data science and analytics internships.
When applying for CPT jobs, it is important to start early as the application process can take months. Tailoring your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant coursework, projects, or internships that relate to the job description can also improve your chances of securing a CPT position.
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Companies that offer internships
For international students, there are a variety of companies that offer internships. These internships can be found across the world, with some companies even offering visa sponsorship. Here are some examples of companies that offer internships for international students:
UNICEF
The UNICEF Internship Programme offers students and recent graduates from diverse academic backgrounds the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with UNICEF through global internship opportunities. Internships at UNICEF can be full-time or part-time, with a duration of six to twenty-six weeks. UNICEF provides a monthly stipend to interns and may also provide a contribution towards travel and visa costs.
USEH International
USEH International offers paid internships for international students in the broad field of business, including sales, marketing, human resources, and finance. Once an application is accepted, interns are matched with a position that aligns with their background and future goals.
Intrax Global Internships
Intrax Global Internships helps companies attract skilled global talent and hire internationally. They work with J-1 student interns and can help secure visa sponsorship for international interns.
Microsoft
Microsoft offers university internships and is looking for candidates with a passion for technology, as well as relevant experience or skillsets aligned with the role. They provide relocation packages and have a Virtual Recruiting Event series that covers topics such as resume guides, interview prep, and tech talks.
Susquehanna International Group
Susquehanna International Group offers a 10-week quantitative strategy development summer internship program for highly motivated full-time students. This internship requires 20 hours per week and offers a flexible schedule.
Boston University
Boston University offers a program that blends coursework with a professional internship, allowing international students to receive credit and gain professional experience in the workplace. This program is based in America's capital city, providing an opportunity to experience politics, public policy, and leadership firsthand.
The Intern Group
The Intern Group offers fast-paced internships in New York City, catering to a variety of fields, especially fashion, finance, media, business, and art.
Additionally, international students can explore J-1 Visa internship programs, which many companies use to sponsor internships for those wishing to gain experience in the United States.
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Companies that offer H1-B status
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa for educated international professionals that allows them to work in the United States in "specialty occupations". These specialty occupations require at least a bachelor's degree. Many major companies sponsor these visas, but smaller companies often do not have the resources, time, or ability to sponsor foreign workers.
Some of the top companies that sponsor H-1B visas include:
- IBM: One of the world's most established tech firms, IBM has boosted its international student hiring by offering various programs designed to attract global tech talent. In 2024, IBM received approval for 2,906 H-1B visas.
- Wipro: This India-based company, with its US headquarters in Seattle, provides global IT, consulting, and business process services. Employing more than 230,000 people in 65 countries, Wipro received approval for 1,634 H-1B visas in 2024.
- Infosys: A digital services and IT consulting giant, Infosys offers various diversity and inclusion initiatives. With over 323,000 employees worldwide, Infosys received approval for 8,140 H-1B visas in 2024.
- Cognizant: With a massive global reach, Cognizant has a history of sponsoring H-1B visas. As of 2022, the average salary for those with this visa was $97,829, with 2,521 certified.
- Amazon Web Services: This Amazon subsidiary provides on-demand cloud computing platforms and is one of the most popular cloud services. Amazon is well-known for sponsoring many international students for full-time jobs. In 2024, Amazon Web Services received approval for 2,216 H-1B visas.
- Cisco: A sprawling global IT network, Cisco is one of the most internationally focused high-tech firms, with over 90,000 employees worldwide. In 2024, Cisco had approvals for 1,330 H-1B visas.
- Intel: One of the world's most recognisable tech corporations, Intel employs about 131,000 tech professionals across dozens of offices worldwide. In 2024, Intel received approval for 2,520 H-1B visas.
Other notable mentions include Facebook, Ernst & Young, and Google, which have all been known to hire international students through the H-1B visa program.
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Companies that offer L-1 status
The L-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows intracompany transfers for multinational companies. It is designed for employees who have been working for a qualifying foreign company and wish to transfer to a The L-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows intracompany transfers for multinational companies. It is designed for employees of multinational companies who are seeking to transfer certain personnel from their foreign offices to work in the US temporarily. The L-1 visa offers several advantages over other visas, such as no annual cap, no requirement for a bachelor's degree, and the ability for spouses to work.
To qualify for an L-1 visa, the employee must have worked full-time for a qualifying foreign company in a managerial or executive role for at least one continuous year within the past three years. The US employer must also have a "qualifying relationship" with the foreign entity, such as a parent company, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch office relationship. The employee will be allowed a maximum initial stay of one year if they are establishing a new office, or three years for all other qualified employees.
The L-1 visa is divided into two subcategories: L-1A and L-1B. The L-1A visa is for managers and executives who are transferring to a US office with a qualifying relationship to the foreign employer. On the other hand, the L-1B visa is for employees with specialized knowledge who are being transferred to a US office.
Canadian citizens seeking L-1 non-immigrant status under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) can participate in a joint agency pilot program at the California Service Center and the CBP Blaine, Washington, port of entry. This program allows Canadian citizens to apply for their L-1 visa directly at a US port of entry through the Customs and Border Protection Agency, without having to file a petition with USCIS.
While the L-1 visa is a popular option for multinational companies, it is not the only visa option available for international students seeking to work in the US. International students in the US on an F1 visa are permitted to work off-campus in Optional Practical Training (OPT) status during and after the completion of their degree, provided they have prior authorization from USCIS and their school's International Student Office. F-1 students may also engage in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) if they have a qualifying job offer in their major or field of study and receive CPT authorization from their International Student Office.
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Frequently asked questions
Many companies in the US hire international students, but it can be challenging due to the cost and time involved in hiring international students. Some companies that hire international students include:
- Veridic Solutions
- Randstad
- Robert Half
- Cognizant
- Populus Group
- Accenture
- IBM Corporation
- Adobe Systems
- Capital One
- Cisco Systems
Many tech companies hire international students, especially those with a STEM background. The financial services industry also hires international students, particularly those with a STEM background as the industry is highly reliant on big data.
Here are some tips to increase your chances:
- Start your job search early, at least 3 months before receiving your OPT EAD card
- Focus on quality over quantity when applying to jobs
- Look for companies that have robust immigration support, such as FAANG companies
- Look for jobs at American companies operating in your home country, as they may need to hire international students due to language and intercultural competencies
- Consider virtual internships, which do not require a J-1 visa
