Guide to Hiring International Students
International students are an extraordinary addition to any US organization and represent a third of the MBA population at Harvard Business School. In this increasingly competitive and global marketplace, organizations must continue to add international professionals to their workforce. Given this trend, the HBS student population is a talent pool that you will not want to overlook.
For those organizations seeking to place students outside the United States, HBS students have permanent work authorization in more than 85 countries and roughly 50 percent of international students choose career positions outside the United States after graduation.
Though government bureaucracy can seem daunting, securing US work authorization for international students is not that difficult. Don't let the H-1B cap discourage you or lead you to think that long-term employment is out of the question. The information below can offer you insight into creative immigration solutions, in order to hire the MBA talent that your organization requires.
International Students are Fully U.S. Work-Authorized for Summer Internships
Nearly all HBS international students are eligible for U.S. work authorization after their first year through Curricular Practical Training (F-1 students) or Academic Training (J-1 students) and do not require employer sponsorship to take part in a US-based internship. Hiring international students for the summer is easy: Summer employment authorization is issued directly by Harvard University and no additional steps are required by the employer.
International Students are Fully U.S. Work-Authorized after Graduation
Upon graduation, these same international students will have full U.S. employment authorization for 12 to 18 months as part of Optional Practical Training or Academic Training. They are able to work in any professional business function for that period and employers will not need to interact with the U.S. government. There is:
- no cost to employers
- no need to involve immigration attorneys
- students are generally exempt from Social Security tax withholdings, adding a cost-benefit to the company
International Students are Eligible for a Long-Term U.S. Work Status
Securing longer-term work authorization for new international employees is also not difficult. The H-1B category is the most common work visa for MBA graduates, but it may be just one of a number of options. The H-1B cap can pose challenges for companies wishing to hire international talent, so alternative solutions may need to be considered. Keep in mind, also, that those students who held H-1B status before starting the MBA program are not subject to the annual H-1B cap.
| Visa Category | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| H-1B1 | Citizens of Singapore or Chile |
| E-3 | Citizens of Australia |
| TN | Citizens of Canada or Mexico |
| O-1 | Individuals of Extraordinary Ability |
| L-1 | Individuals who work for entity abroad |
If you have specific questions regarding the process of hiring an HBS international student, please contact MBA Career & Professional Development at 617.495.6232 or by e-mail at mbacareers@hbs.edu.
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