Don't let the visa process prevent you from hiring some of the brightest and most motivated students at Georgetown!
Why hire International MBAs?
- Georgetown's international MBA students are incredibly prepared and can add immediate value to any organization.
- Their undergraduate degrees come from top institutions around the globe and they often bring more years of work experience than their U.S. citizen classmates.
- They have a global mindset and proven cultural flexibility built from experience working in different countries and speaking multiple languages.
- By accepting the challenge to pursue an international MBA, these students have proven they are able to take calculated risks and are resilient individuals.
Hiring Interns
Georgetown students are eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) during their summer break which enables them to work full- or part-time. There is no extra paperwork or expense incurred on behalf of the employers. CPT authorization is granted within a week. During the internship, Federal and State taxes should be withheld by the employer but not Social Security contributions.
Hiring for Fulltime, Permanent Positions
All graduates of U.S. institutions on F-1 visas are eligible for one year of work without visa sponsorship via the Optional Practical Training (OPT), which is available at NO cost to the employer. To continue working beyond that point, employees typically need an H-1B visa, which enables the international employee to work for 3 years (and can be extended for an additional 3 years). There are some alternatives available to the H-1B visas (explained in further detail below).
Rumor #1 -- There aren't enough visas to go around.
Not completely true - The U.S. government Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) currently issues a total of 85,000 H-1B visas per year: 65,000 general and 20,000 for those with higher degrees from U.S. institutions. These visas can be applied for while the employee is working under OPT for up to 12 months. Keep in mind that the cap for the first 65,000 is generally reached on the first day that applications can be accepted. While legislation may adjust that cap to be higher, there are no guarantees of that increase as of yet.
Rumor #2 -- It can be very expensive.
Not true - For Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorization there is NO cost to the employer as of the last website update. The student pays a $340 filing fee for OPT. For the H-1B visa, there is a $320 filing fee, a $1500 "training fee," and a $500 "fraud prevention fee." Consider the $2320 the cost of global work experience and fluency in multiple languages - it's quite a bargain! If your organization is unable to incur this cost, many students are willing to hire an immigration attorney and pay the filing and attorney's fees. However, your organization must be responsible for the training and fraud prevention fees.
Rumor #3 -- Organizations must prove there are no U.S. citizens who can do the job.
- Post a notice for 10 days at the worksite stating that you hire international students with H-1B visas and provide information about the job.
- Pay the same wage and benefits provided to U.S. workers in similar jobs.
Rumor #4 -- Organizations wait months for visas to be approved and the student to start working.
H-1B visas can be processed in as little as 15 days (there is a premium processing fee of $1000). While this is true, it can also take up to 3 months or longer as regular processing can vary by location. However, students on F-1 visas can begin working immediately via OPT (which also takes time to have approved, though this process begins while the student is in school). Graduates are authorized to work in the U.S. for 12 months total which should be more than enough time to obtain the H-1B. Note that if a student utilizes OPT instead of CPT for their summer internship, they will only have 9 months post-graduation left on their OPT.
Are there alternatives to an H-1B visa?
Yes, quite a few! Our employers have come up with some solutions that your organization may want to consider:
General:
- Students may utilize the OPT for 12 months and then work for an office of your company within another country.
- Students may work outside the U.S. until you are able to secure the H-1B visa.
- Some International Organizations such as the World Bank have alternatives to the H-1B visa.
- There is no cap on the number of H-3 Visas, but they carry a two-year time limit. The visa is not for work purposes; the employee must participate in an established training program.
- Where a U.S. business is majority-owned by a foreign company that has made a substantial investment in the U.S. business or engages in trade with the home country overseas, recruiters for the U.S. business can use an E visa option to hire workers of the same nationality as the business' majority ownership.
Country Specific:
- The UK has an MBA Provision as part of the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP). Students from the top 50 business schools, of which Georgetown is one, may work in the UK for up to 12 months after completing the MBA. If your company has a UK office you may consider this MBA Provision.
- Students from Canada and Mexico have special provisions with their TN visa, which was created under the North American Free Trade Agreement.
- Australian nationals may utilize the E-3 visa. The criteria are similar to those for the H-1B.
- The H-1B visa quota has a carve-out of 1,400 free trade H-1B visas for Chilean nationals and 6,100 H-1B visas for Singaporean nationals.
Resources for your use.
Georgetown University tracks changes in visa regulations and we will work closely with you on any questions or concerns you may have. Contact Career Management at (202) 687-3741.
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