Easy Guide to Hiring Foreign Graduates
Page address: http://www.mnsu.edu/cdc/employers/hiringforeigngraduates.html
Employer’s guide to hiring Minnesota State University, Mankato International Students for Internships and Post-graduation Employment
Hiring for:
Hiring international students from Minnesota State University, Mankato for Internships
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT is work authorization that allows F-1 student visa holders to accept employment in their academic field after being enrolled for an academic year as a full-time student for undergraduate students. Graduate students may start earlier.
Duration/Timing of employment
You may offer an internship for summer or during the Fall or Spring semesters. The student would need to be enrolled for a course for credit supervised by a faculty member during each of those terms. During the semester, the student must be enrolled full-time; therefore, most internships during Fall or Spring are part-time. Full-time internships during the summer are common. One consideration, if a student works full-time for a full 12 months on CPT work authorization, they will not be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorization post-graduation.
Employer’s role
You need to provide an offer letter which specifies the location/address of that internship site.
Student’s role
The international student will submit CPT work authorization application through Kearney International Center once they receive an offer. The international student adviser will print out a SEVIS I-20 that meets the requirements for I-9 employment eligibility with the work authorization on page 3.
Cost to the employer
No cost
Processing time
May take up to 3-5 business days, but is usually less. The Kearney International Center can produce the I-20 once the student provides the CPT form completed by the faculty member, registers for that academic credit, and submits the offer letter.
Hiring international students for full-time employment upon graduation
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT is work authorization that allows F-1 student visa holders who have graduated to gain practical work experience related to their major field of study.
Duration/Timing of Employment
Up to 12 months post-graduation. An additional 17 month extension is potentially possible for students graduating in STEM fields if you are enrolled in E-Verify.
Employer's Role
No action required
Student's Role
Student will contact the Kearney International Center and submit an application to United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). Student pays processing fee of $380 [cost as of 10/2013].
Cost to Employer
No cost
Processing Time
On average 45-60 days (may take up to 3 months) with students being encouraged to apply as early as 90 days prior to graduation to avoid any delay.
Permission to adapt material provided by Olin Business School, Washington University in St. Louis, 10/14/2013
Kearney International Student Center
250 Centennial Student Union
Mankato, MN 56001 USA
Phone: 507-389-1281
