Working in the U.S. - How to Find a Reliable and Visa-Friendly Employer?

This article provides tips on how to find a reliable and international student-friendly employer in the U.S.

It is crucial for international students to find a reliable and visa-friendly employer when working with CPT or OPT.

Before applying for a job, it is important to understand the basic information about potential employers:

Company Size and Background: Large companies typically have more structured recruitment processes and more resources to support international students. However, small companies can also be a good choice as they often have more flexible policies for H-1B and green card sponsorship.
Company’s History with H-1B Sponsorship: If the company has a history of successfully sponsoring H-1B visas for employees, they are more likely to sponsor you as well.
Company’s E-Verification: This is important for those planning to use STEM OPT. To use STEM OPT, international student must be employed by E-Verified companies; otherwise, the STEM OPT Extension application will not be approved. Therefore, it is ideal to find an E-Verified employer during your initial OPT.

You can check a company's H-1B sponsorship history online. Commonly used websites include H1Bdata.info and myvisajobs.com. These websites also allow you to check the salary ranges that specific companies offer to their H-1B employees.
Handshake has added a "Work Authorization" filter, allowing job seekers to filter for employers who support H-1B visa applications and accept CPT/OPT.
Zippia has a specific page for foreign workers to search jobs, listing employers who can support H-1B visa applications.
The USCIS Website can be used to check if a company is E-Verified.
Glassdoor allows you to read employee reviews about employers.
Better Business Bureau can be used to check a company's complaint history.

An interview is not only an opportunity for the employer to evaluate your experience but also a chance for you to learn about the employer.

Ask if the Company Can Sponsor H-1B: You can bring this up after receiving an offer or when the employer mentions it during the interview.
Understand the Company's Attitude Towards OPT/CPT: This helps you gauge if the company is familiar with the OPT/CPT processes and if they support employees using OPT/CPT.
Inquire About Long-term Career Development Opportunities: You also need to understand if the company offers long-term career growth opportunities for its employees. You can check LinkedIn to see how long current employees have been with the company and if there are opportunities for promotion.

Not sure which companies accept Day 1 CPT? Explore our Day 1 CPT Employer List.

Response Speed and Communication Transparency: A reliable employer will respond to your emails and calls promptly and communicate in a transparent manner.
Professional Immigration Lawyer Team: If the company has a specialized immigration lawyer team, they will be more professional in handling H-1B and green card applications.
Employee Reviews: Check employee reviews and the company's reputation to understand the workplace culture. You can find these reviews on websites like Glassdoor.

Be Cautious about Promises That Seem Too Good to Be True: Be cautious if an employer makes overly optimistic promises, such as guaranteeing a green card application. Ensure these promises are supported by clear contractual terms.
Pay Attention to Contract Details and Terms: Before signing a contract, carefully read all the terms and details. Pay special attention to clauses regarding insurance, paid time off, legal disputes, and intellectual property ownership to protect your rights.
Seek Information from Other International Students: If a company has hired alumni from your school, reach out to them for information. For example, you can talk with people who received offers from the company but chose to work elsewhere and ask them about their reasons.