Hiring International Students

Is it complicated to hire an international student?

Hiring an international student is not difficult. Most UW Bothell international students are on F-1 status, which means they are already sponsored by the school. They can accept on-campus employment (without additional authorization) or off-campus employment (with Practical Training authorization). The bulk of the paperwork is done by the school and the student, not the employer.

How do I complete an I-9 for an international student?

You will indicate they’re a non-citizen (using a passport as identification) and then use a supporting document like their Form I-20 (issued by the school) or Employment Authorization Document (EAD – issued by USCIS).

Types of employment

Basic information

  • International F-1 Students can work on-campus for 19.5 hours/week while class is in session and more during official break periods.
  • Authorization is provided as soon as the student has F-1 status (when they enter the US). As long as they remain enrolled and are pursuing their degree, they can work on-campus. No additional paperwork is necessary for authorization.
  • UWB students can only use on-campus employment authorization on the UWB campus. All other locations (UW Seattle, Tacoma, and Cascadia College) are considered off-campus and require additional authorization.
  • To apply for an SSN, they will need an employment offer letter. See this page for details.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) 

CPT allows F-1 international students to be employed (paid or unpaid) for off-campus training (such as internships) directly related to their major.

  • Employer cost: None—no fees or extra forms required.
  • Authorization: Issued by UW Bothell after the student enrolls in a qualifying course and submits an employer offer letter.
  • Timeline: Processing takes about 7 days once all materials are complete.

Offer letter must include:

  • Company letterhead and full address of the worksite
  • Exact start and end dates (must match the academic term)
  • Expected hours per week
  • Detailed job duties
  • Employer or hiring manager signature and contact information

Note: CPT experience must align to the course they are taking and can only be authorized for one academic term. Some course credits may be split across multiple terms. Each term requires separate offer letters.

Optional  Practical Training (OPT) 

OPT is work authorization for training not tied to a specific class. The student is choosing to augment their education with an optional experience related to their program of study.

  • Authorization: Students apply through USCIS after receiving a recommendation from the school.
  • Processing time: ~3 months (standard) or ~30 days (expedited).
  • Proof of work eligibility: Students receive an EAD card (Employment Authorization Document) with start/end dates.

Types of OPT

  • Pre-completion OPT: Up to 20 hours/week while studying (max 12 months total).
  • Post-completion OPT: Full-time (20+ hours/week) after graduation for 12 months.
  • STEM OPT Extension: Eligible STEM degrees allow an extension of Post-completion OPT by 24 months, for a total of 36 months. This requires the employer to be E-verified and complete a 2 year training plan (I-983) with the student.

For more information

To learn how to recruit UW Bothell students, please visit the Career Services Internship Guidelines for Employers. You can also post a job or internship on Handshake.