There are many benefits to hiring our talented international students, and there are myths to bust when in comes to hiring international students.
International students make up 18% of the total student population at the Daniels School of Business (including 12% at the undergraduate level and 70% at the graduate level) as of Fall 2024. We encourage you to tap into Daniels School global talent to both expand, strengthen, and diversify your candidate pool.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is work authorization issued by Purdue University's International Student Services Office (ISS) through their F-1 student visa. The internship must be related to the student’s degree and can be full-time or part-time. Under CPT, the internship can be remote.
To hire an international student intern, the employer only needs to provide an offer letter. Upon approval, the student will receive their I-20 (F1) with employment authorization information, including employer name and authorized dates for employment.
International students on an F-1 visa can work for up to 12 months on Optional Practical Training (OPT). Students will work with Purdue University's International Student Services Office (ISS) to apply for OPT via USCIS. The student does not need an offer of employment to apply for OPT employment and once approved, the student can work for the dates listed on their EAD card.
OPT employment must be in a job that is related to their degree, be at least 20 hours per week, and any work performed must occur during the authorization period listed on the EAD card. Remote work is allowed. Students should present the EAD card for employment verification.
International students with a STEM-designated degree are eligible for an additional 24 months of OPT or a total of three years of full-time work without needing employer sponsorship. Students on OPT with a designated STEM major can later apply for a STEM Extension(STEM OPT) to receive employment authorization for an additional 24 months. The position must be related to the STEM degree and the student must work at least 20 hours per week. Remote work is not allowed.
For STEM Extension, there is no cost to the employer. The employer only needs to enroll in E-Verify, work with the student to complete the I-983 Training Plan, and complete a short training. Click here to read more about STEM OPT Employer Requirements.
Employers do not need to sponsor a student who has work authorization under F1 (CPT/OPT/STEM OPT) or J1 (AT) status. However, if work authorization is set to expire, the student will need sponsorship from the employer to continue working. Employers should seek legal counsel from a licensed immigration attorney to learn about the different employment-sponsored visas. To identify an immigration attorney, please visit AILA Immigration Lawyer Search.
Business Career Services is available to help you strategize the best way to attract international talent.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about opportunities to recruit Daniels School international talent, we invite you to schedule a call with Corissa Wandmacher (she/her), Associate Director of Global Employer Engagement, or you may reach out to her by email at cwandmac@purdue.edu.
