Employer Guide for Hiring International Students from Cornell University
Quick Facts: Cornell International Students:
- Cornell has approximately 7,000 international students representing 130+ countries
- 1 in 4 Cornell students is international
- International students make up…
- 10% of undergrads
- >50% of graduate students
- >35% of professional students
Benefits of Hiring International Students from Cornell:
- Academically rigorous education in their field of study from a top institution
- Multilingual and cross-cultural communication skills
- Fresh global market insights such as consumer behavior and business practices
- Demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and independence
- Expertise in high demand fields such as STEM, business, agriculture, and public health
- Minimal paperwork is required to hire international students while on their student visa
- International student employment eligibility is easily verifiable
Overview of International Student Practical Training
International student practical training provides students with real-world experience directly related to their major. Each type of practical training grants temporary work authorization, allowing international students to work for U.S. companies without employer sponsorship.
About F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- CPT covers part-time and full-time employment before graduation, such as internships, co-ops, and fellowships.
- Students interested in CPT are granted term-based approvals. Therefore, each CPT experience must fit within an established semester.
- Students can obtain CPT work authorization in up to 2 weeks.
| Employer’s Responsibility | Student’s Responsibility | School’s Responsibility |
| Provide a job offer letter on company letterhead that includes the following information: – Specific start and end dates – Specific number of work hours per week – Detailed description of the work student will perform – Employer’s U.S. street address – Employer’s signature and date Full CPT requirements outlined on this page | – Request offer letter from employer meeting standards outlined by Cornell – Register for associated course – Request CPT work authorization from Cornell and obtain approval before starting employment | – Review student’s CPT request and issue a CPT I-20 |
About F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- OPT covers part-time and full-time employment before and/or after graduation but is typically used after.
- OPT experiences can include volunteering, internships, co-ops, fellowships, permanent roles, contract roles, and more. Read more about OPT employment types.
- Students can be employed full-time on OPT for up to 12 months.
- OPT work authorization takes an average of 3 months to obtain, but can be expedited in 30 days for an additional fee.
| Employer’s Responsibility | Student’s Responsibility | School’s Responsibility |
| – Provide a standard job offer letter | – Request OPT work authorization with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) – Report OPT employment to Cornell or the SEVIS Portal – Pay associated application fees | – Review student’s OPT request and issue the OPT I-20 |
About F-1 STEM OPT Extension
- After an OPT period following graduation, students in qualifying STEM programs can extend their work authorization by an additional 24 months. Therefore, eligible students can be employed up to 36 months total after graduation.
- To participate in the STEM OPT Extension, students must be a bona fide employee (not a contract worker). Experiences may be part-time or full-time.
- STEM OPT work authorization takes an average of 3 months to obtain, but can be expedited in 30 days for an additional fee.
| Employer’s Responsibility | Student’s Responsibility | School’s Responsibility |
| – Provide a standard job offer letter – Complete I-983 training plan form and provide appropriate training and supervision – Participate in e-verify and provide students with e-verify and EIN number – Attest that compensation is commensurate with “similarly situated U.S. workers” – Complete 2 brief employee evaluations – Assist students with updating Cornell when there are material changes to their employment (e.g., termination, promotion, company acquisition) – Prepare for potential site visits from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Learn more about employer responsibilities for the STEM OPT Extension | – Request STEM OPT I-20 and submit completed I-983 training plan form – Submit annual employer evaluations and semi-annual employment and contact information confirmations to Cornell – Notify Cornell of significant changes to their employment status, (e.g., job changes, promotions, etc.) – Pay associated application fees | – Review student’s STEM OPT request and issue the STEM OPT I-20 – Make updates and report employment changes to government on behalf of student and employer |
About J-1 Academic Training
- J-1 Academic Training covers employment before and/or after graduation, such as internships, co-ops, and full-time and part-time roles.
- J-1 Academic Training is available for a period equal to the length of the degree program or 18 months, whichever is shorter.
- Students can obtain Academic Training work authorization in up to 2 weeks.
| Employer’s Responsibility | Student’s Responsibility | School’s Responsibility |
| Provide a job offer letter on company letterhead that includes the following details: – The goals and objectives of the specific academic training program – A description of the training program and how it relates to student’s major field of study – Hours per week – Start and end dates of training – Employment address – Name and address of the training supervisor | – Request offer letter from employer meeting standards outlined by Cornell – Request AT work authorization from Cornell and obtain approval before starting employment | – Review student’s Academic Training request and issue a DS-2019 with Academic Training |
About Employer-Sponsored Work Visas
- Following an international student’s practical training period, employers have the option to sponsor a work visa to extend their work authorization.
- Employers seeking to sponsor an international student typically work with an immigration attorney to guide them through the process.
- Employment duration, job requirements, and application processing times vary by visa type.
| Employer’s Responsibility | Student’s Responsibility | School’s Responsibility |
| – Obtain legal advice (usually from an immigration attorney) to determine the best visa option and complete the application process – Pay required application and legal fees (varies by work visa type) | – Work with employer and legal team to complete visa application requirements – Notify Cornell of change from student to work visa | None |
Additional Resources
Learn more about employment-based work visas
Questions? Contact Erica Ford, International Career Development Coach at ef434@cornell.edu or Cornell Employer Relations at recruiting@cornell.edu or +1 (607) 255–5296.
Last updated December 19, 2025