Updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
U.S. employers can hire international students on an petition, or paying a government fee. The student's and in the case of F-1 students, the student applies Immigration Services (USCIS). J-1 students do not The employer's role is to offer a position related to
Authorization
F-1 or J-1 visas without sponsoring them, filing a
or exchange program authorizes the work, for a temporary work card from U.S. Citizenship &
to make the separate application to USCIS. student's field of study and complete a normal Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Find more information on the I-9 process on the USCIS website .
F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT): up to 12
sponsorship. F-1 STEM OPT extension: 24 additional months no sponsorship petition or filing fee. The plan.
months of work per degree level, no employer
for STEM graduates, for up to 3 years total . Still must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a training
J-1 Academic Training: up to 18 months for most students, or up to 36 months for postdoctoral training, again with no sponsorship petition required from the employer. Payroll tax implications : most F-1 and J-1 students are exempt from Social Security and Medicare (FICA) taxes for the first five years of not pay the 7.65% employer match until they are
One development to watch: on October 8, 2026, $70,000 for a first OPT recommendation and
presence in the U.S., so the employer does present for more than five years .
proposed a rule that would charge schools for a STEM extension, which schools could pass on to students or employers. It is a proposal only; nothing has changed yet. This proposed rule will likely face significant legal challenges, and may never go
F-1 and J-1 basics
into effect. See Costs and savings .
F-1 and J-1 are both temporary student visas, but they are run by different agencies and authorized by different people at the school.
| F-1 student | J-1 exchange visitor (student category) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Full-time academic study at a U.S. college or university | Educational and cultural exchange through a sponsored program |
| Overseen by | Dept. of Homeland Security (ICE's Student and Exchange Visitor Program; USCIS issues work cards) | Dept. of State (Exchange Visitor Program) |
| Key document | Form I-20 | Form DS-2019 |
| Who authorizes work | Designated School Official (DSO) at the school; USCIS for OPT | Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate RO at the program sponsor |
| Work options | On-campus jobs, CPT, OPT, STEM OPT | On-campus jobs, Academic Training |
| Proof of work authorization | Endorsed I-20 (CPT), or endorsed I-20 form AND Employment Authorization Document card (OPT, STEM OPT) | DS-2019 plus the RO's written Academic Training approval |
Both programs track students in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), the government's student database. Some J-1 students residency requirement (INA 212(e)), depending on does not limit Academic Training employment, but it
are also subject to a two-year home-country
country of birth, or source of funding. That rule can affect later H-1B or green card plans.
Why employers should consider hiring an international student: international students have shown the commitment and perseverance to study and live degrees, often in high-demand technical fields, and visa petition, lottery, or pay a filing fee.
F-1 Curricular Practical Training
in the U.S. They have worked to achieve U.S. can start work without an employer having to file a
CPT lets an F-1 student work for a U.S. employer while still enrolled , typically as an internship, co-op or practicum that is part of their degree. The school's is no USCIS application and no fee.
What qualifies: work that is an integral part of earned for academic credit. The government is "integral" for CPT purposes. This policy revision When: usually after the student completes one programs that require training from the start Hours: part-time (20 hours a week or less) program allows. Specific to you: each authorization names one
School Official (DSO) approves it; there
curriculum, either required for the degree or
revising its policies about what constitutes is currently being challenged in court (October 2026) academic year of study. Some graduate it immediately. the term, or full-time during breaks or when the
employer, a location and exact start and end dates. A new employer or new dates needs a new authorization before the work changes. What you provide: an offer letter describing the the student gives to their DSO. The government
role, hours, dates, location and supervisor, which is also revising this to require a signed agreement between the employer and the school, though this is also under challenge in the courts (October 2026) Proof for Form I-9: the student's I-20 with the DSO's CPT endorsement, plus their passport and I-94 record.
Effect on OPT: part-time CPT has no effect. Twelve ineligible for OPT at that degree level, so employers if they hope to hire the student after graduation.
F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT gives an F-1 student up to 12 months of work doctorate), with no employer sponsorship required. and no employer fee. The student applies to USCIS 9 months of unemployed time during the first year of
How it works
- The student asks their DSO to recommend OPT,
- The student files Form I-765 with USCIS, from
months or more of full-time CPT makes the student should keep long co-ops or internships to part-time
authorization per degree level (bachelor's, master's,
is no petition, no labor certification, no lottery and pays their own filing fee. Students are limited to OPT.
and the DSO issues an updated I-20. days before to 60 days after their program ends.
- USCIS issues an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card with start and end dates.
- The student may start work once they receive before.
Job requirements
card, and on or after the EAD start date, never
Directly related to the student's major field of study. At least 20 hours a week to count as employment for post-completion OPT. Volunteer work will count for OPT purposes Any employer, any location in the U.S.; the student can change jobs or hold more than one job without new paperwork from you. No E-Verify requirement and no training plan for
Your responsibilities
Complete Form I-9 using the EAD card (a List A reverification. Do not let the student start before the EAD start
The student, not you, reports their employer to the unemployment. Students may also use OPT time is deducted from the 12 months.
standard OPT.
document) and note its expiration date for
date or work past its end date.
and stays within a 90-day limit on total before graduating (pre-completion OPT), but that
F-1 STEM OPT extension: up to 3 years total
A student whose degree is on DHS's STEM Designated Degree Program List can add 24 months to their 12 months of OPT, for up to 3 years of work no government fee. STEM OPT does, however, ask
you. The employer still files no petition and pays more of the employer than standard OPT.
Student eligibility
Degree in a field on the STEM Designated Degree Program List (it includes engineering, computer science, math, physical and life sciences, and many economics, data, finance-analytics and business-analytics programs). The extension can also rest on an earlier STEM past 10 years. The student files for the extension up to 90 days time, they can keep working for up to 180 days
Employer requirements
degree from an accredited U.S. school earned in the
before their current OPT card expires. If filed on
USCIS decides their case.
E-Verify: be enrolled in E-Verify and in good standing. Training plan: complete Form I-983 with the student, setting out learning goals, supervision and how progress is measured; sign self-evaluations at 12 and 24 months. Fair pay and terms: attest that the pay, hours and duties match those of similarly situated U.S. workers, and that the student is not replacing a U.S. worker. Real employment: a paid job of at least 20 hours a week with a genuine employer-employee relationship. Staffing arrangements that place the student at a client site are generally not allowed. Reporting: tell the student's DSO within 5 business days if the student leaves or is terminated, and report material changes to the training plan. Site visits: DHS may visit the worksite, usually
The student is limited to 150 days of unemployment
48 hours' notice.
across the full 3-year period. A student can receive two STEM extensions in a career, one per degree level (for example, after a bachelor's and again after a master's).
J-1 Academic Training: up to 18 months, or 3 years for postdocs
Academic Training is the J-1 student's counterpart to Responsible Officer (RO), with no USCIS
OPT. It is approved by the program sponsor's no work card, no petition and no fee to the employer. It can happen during studies or after graduation, paid or unpaid.
Duration
Bachelor's, master's and pre-doctoral students: up to 18 months in total, or the length of the student's program, whichever is shorter. A limited to 12 months. Postdoctoral training: up to 36 months in total,
Employer process
- The employer issues an offer letter. The recommendation describing the role, supervisor, student's field.
- The RO approves the position in writing before it
in a 12-month master's program, for example, is
including any earlier Academic Training.
academic dean or advisor writes a location, hours and dates, and how it relates to the
starts and updates the student's DS-2019.
- Post-graduation training must begin within 30 days of the student finishing their studies.
Position requirements
Directly related to the student's major field. Approved for a specific employer and dates; a new employer or extension needs a new RO approval first.
Employer responsibilities
Complete Form I-9 using the student's passport, Academic Training letter.
I-94 record, updated DS-2019 and the RO's
Cooperate with the sponsor's evaluation as to whether the training is meeting its goals.
Side-by-side comparison
None of the four options requires an employer petition or government filing fee.
| CPT (F-1) | OPT (F-1) | STEM OPT (F-1) | Academic Training (J-1) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum length | Set by program; 12+ months full-time ends OPT eligibility | 12 months per degree level | 24 more months (36 total with OPT) | 18 months or program length, whichever is shorter; 36 months for postdocs |
| When | During studies | During or after studies | After OPT | During or after studies |
| Approved by | School DSO | DSO, then USCIS | DSO, then USCIS | Sponsor's RO |
| Tied to one employer | Yes | No | Yes, per training plan | Yes |
| Employer paperwork | Offer letter / signed agreement | Form I-9 only | E-Verify, Form I- 983, reporting | Offer letter, Form I-9 |
| I-9 document | I-20 with CPT endorsement + passport, I- 94 | EAD card | EAD card | Passport, I-94, DS-2019, RO letter |
| Sponsorship cost to employer | None | None | None | None |
Costs and savings for employers
Under current rules, hiring a student on OPT, STEM
OPT or Academic Training costs you nothing beyond normal hiring. The student pays their own USCIS filing fee for OPT and STEM OPT; J-1 Academic Training has no government application or fee at all.
Comparison with H-1B sponsorship process
No registration, lottery, or petition fees, and no immigration attorney fees. No Labor Condition Application or comparable to U.S. peers). No waiting for an April lottery or an October 1 authorization begins.
filing (STEM OPT does, however, require pay
date; the student can start when their
Payroll tax savings
F-1 and J-1 students who are nonresident aliens for
tax purposes, generally those in the U.S. for fewer than 5 calendar years, are exempt from Social Security and Medicare (FICA) taxes on authorized work, including practical training ( IRS ). Because the wages are exempt, you do not pay the employer's 7.65% share either: about $5,355 a year on a $70,000 salary. Students are usually also exempt from federal unemployment tax (FUTA). Federal and state student's tax residency with your payroll provider.
tax withholding still applies. Confirm each
Proposed OPT fee (not in effect as of October 2026)
On October 8, 2026, DHS published a proposed DSO to recommend OPT for an F-1 student.
$70,000 for a student's first OPT
that would charge schools a fee before allowing a
and $30,000 for each later one, including a STEM extension ($100,000 for full OPT plus STEM OPT). Schools must pay, but DHS says they may pass CPT and J-1 Academic Training are not covered Public comments are due November 9, 2026. If rule is published.
No OPT fee is in effect as of October 9, 2026, unaffected.
the cost on to students or employers. by this proposed rule.
it would take effect 60 days after the final
current OPT and STEM OPT authorizations are
Keeping a great hire: H-1B sponsorship and cap-gap
If you want the student to stay past their training period, the usual route is an H-1B petition, and OPT gives you time to try. A STEM graduate's 3 years of annual H-1B lottery.
Cap-gap protection (F-1 only): if you file a
while the student's period of OPT is still valid, the extended automatically while it is pending, until
typically allow up to three chances in the
H-1B cap petition requesting a change of status student's OPT and work authorization are 1 of the following year. The $100,000 H-1B fee by Presidential Proclamation: This fee has been halted by litigation. USCIS guidance from October 2025 exempts U.S. J-1 students: cap-gap does not apply. Students
students who change status to H-1B inside the
subject to the two-year home residency requirement must fulfil it or obtain a waiver before they can change to H-1B status. Check the skills list based on country of birth to determine if a student might be subject. Also check whether they received direct government funding, which can also make a student subject to the home residency requirement.
Employer checklist and common questions
Before the start date
Confirm the role relates directly to the student's Ask which option the student will use (CPT, end dates.
field of study. STEM OPT or Academic Training) and its start and Provide an offer letter with duties, hours, For STEM OPT: confirm E-Verify enrollment and Complete Form I-9 on or before day one, letting present.
supervisor and dates. complete Form I-983 with the student. the student choose which acceptable documents to
Set a reminder to reverify work authorization before the expiration date. Ask payroll to apply the FICA exemption if the student is a nonresident alien for tax purposes.
Common questions
Do we have to sponsor a student on OPT?
keep them on an H-1B or green card. Is it risky or complicated? Standard OPT training plan and a few reports. Can the student work for us remotely? Yes,
Sponsorship only comes up if you later want to
only a Form I-9. STEM OPT adds E-Verify, a
long as the work is in the U.S., related to their field, and (for STEM OPT) supervised under the training plan. Can we hire them part-time or unpaid? Part-time works for CPT and pre-completion OPT. Postcompletion OPT needs 20+ hours a week, but must be 20 + hours per week and be paid.
be a bona fide volunteer position; STEM OPT
What if their card hasn't arrived yet? They cannot start until they hold valid authorization. STEM OPT extensions filed on time are the exception: while the STEM OPT application is pending.
Resources and sources
authorization continues for up to 180 days
This guide is general information, current as of October 9, 2026, and is not legal advice. Rules on student work are under active review and in some cases court challenge, so check with the student's international office or an immigration attorney for specific situations.
Official resources
Study in the States: Employers (DHS USCIS: STEM OPT extension 22 CFR 62.23: J-1 student Academic Training
on F-1 practical training and the STEM OPT Hub)
IRS: Foreign student liability for Social Security and Medicare taxes J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program (Dept. of State)
E-Verify (enrollment for employers hiring on STEM OPT)