Employer Recruitment Guide

RECRUITING & HIRING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International Student Employment Obtaining permission for international students to work in the U.S. is not as difficult as many employers think! Most international students are in the U.S. on non-immigrant student visas (F-1 and J-1) and are eligible to accept employment under certain conditions. Fortunately, there is little paperwork and no expense for an employer who hires F-1 or J-1 students. All paperwork is handled by the students, the university, and in some circumstances, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Contact UW-Stout’s Office of International Education If you have interest in employing an international student on our J-1 visa program or are unsure about a student’s unique circumstances/eligibility to accept employment, we are here to assist. The Office of International Education can be reached by phone at 715-232-2132 or via email at globaled@uwstout.edu

F-1 Curricular Practical Training Degree seeking students are authorized by the

University's Office of International Education and Career Services and allows students to engage in paid or unpaid internships (cooperative education or field experience). The approval process must be completed prior to engaging in employment and is typically completed within 3 to 5 days of submission. F-1 Practical Training Degree-seeking F-1 students who desire Optional Practical Training (OPT) must be authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) based on a recommendation from the University’s Office of International Education. Students are eligible for 12 months of OPT employment, directly related to their field of study and commensurate for each degree level. Most engage in post-completion OPT, allowing students to remain in the U.S.in valid F-1 status while engaging in post-graduation employment. Students who obtain degrees in certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields may be eligible for a 24-month extension of OPT, totaling 36 months of post completion employment. On average, it takes the USCIS 3 to 5 months to process an OPT request. We strongly encourage graduating students to apply for authorization three months prior to completing their degree programs. 13