International students in F-1 status who are seeking off-campus training opportunities often wonder if, how, and when they should ask an employer about visa sponsorship. On internship or job applications, international students may be uncertain about how to answer the questions “Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?” and “Will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship?”
ISSS and CU Boulder Career Services are here to help you navigate how to answer questions like these.
It is important to clarify that sponsorship is associated with a visa/status that is reliant on employment and is filed by an employer - most commonly H-1B sponsorship. Employers do not need to sponsor international students in F-1 status when those students are taking advantage of Optional Practical Training (OPT), a benefit associated with the F-1 status.
So, how do you answer these work authorization questions when applying to jobs?
Question 1: Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
Answer: Yes
International students in F-1 status have options for off-campus work authorization during their degree program: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). International students in F-1 status who experience severe economic hardship because of unforeseen circumstances beyond their control may also be eligible for off-campus work authorization. International students in F-1 status authorized for any of these off-campus work authorizations do not require their employer to sponsor their visa/status.
Remember that before working off-campus, international students in F-1 status must be in an authorized period of CPT or OPT. The eligibility requirements and processing times for each of these two options vary. CPT is authorized by ISSS and takes up to 2 weeks to process. Pre-completion OPT is authorized by USCIS and can take 2-5 months to process. It is a good idea to plan ahead and to reach out to ISSS to discuss these options further.
Question 2: Will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship?
Answer: Yes
This question will typically be answered “yes” by international students in F-1 status because you will need employment-based sponsorship to continue working after your CPT or OPT authorization expires. There are some cases when students may answer “no” if they are planning to return to their home country or pursue additional education once their F-1 work authorization expires or are applying for permanent residency on their own. International students in F-1 status should be prepared to explain to potential employers why they will not need sponsorship in the future if they check “no.”
You might be wondering if answering “yes” to both questions could mean that an employer will not consider you for a position. That is a possibility; however, it is better for that possibility to be addressed early in the application process rather than finding out when you have a job offer that the organization will not be able to support your work authorized in the U.S. in the future. Networking before applying to jobs can help you identify which companies are open to hiring international students.
ISSS is here to help you understand immigration regulations. Career Services is here to help you become more employable. Together, ISSS and Career Services are excited to support you in your career goals!
PLEASE NOTE: The information above is general information regarding work authorization, and is not intended to be legal advice. ISSS cannot function as personal legal counsel, and if you are seeking legal advice you will need retain personal legal counsel.