Guide to Verifying Work Authorization for Hiring
Work authorization is a critical step for legally hiring national and international students. Ensure compliance by verifying the student’s visa status and eligibility.
Steps to Verify Work Authorization:
- Obtain Required Documents: Request relevant work authorization documents, such as Form I-20 for CPT or EAD for OPT.
- E-Verify Enrollment: Use the E-Verify system if your company participates, as it helps verify the employment eligibility of international hires.
- Document Review: Ensure the work authorization aligns with the student’s start and end dates, hours, and role.
- CPT/OPT Compliance: If hiring under CPT, verify that the job aligns with their academic program. For OPT hires, confirm if the position qualifies as directly related to their major.
This guide has been prepared based on official resources and guidelines provided by the U.S. government. For the most accurate and updated information, always refer to the official USCIS website and your university's international student office.
Resources:
https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment
https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/sevis-help-hub/student-records/fm-student-employment/f-1-curricular-practical-training-cpt
https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-occupations-and-fashion-models/h-1b-electronic-registration-process
https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-129instr.pdf