How To Retain An Employee Once Student Work Authorization Expires

For international students seeking on-the-job training opportunities, the U.S. has established work authorization options. The two options processed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) are Occupational Practical Training (OPT) and OPT extensions for students majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an option as well but the student's respective school processes and approves CPT applications). International students are entitled to one year of OPT work authorization. The aforementioned extension provides two more years if a student's employer fulfils other criteria such as establishing a structured training program and signing off on student self-evaluations. Once a student's Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT expires, the U.S. employer may wish to retain the foreign national employee given the likely time and money spent on training.