Queens’ thriving international student population provides talent while bringing global awareness and professional competencies to your organization. Our International Student Services supports our international student needs through a variety of programs and services.

International students have a variety of legal and verified ways that they can work for your organization at no or minimal additional effort by your company:

Internships

Curriculum Practical Training (CPT) allows international students (F1 visa holders) who have completed at least one year as a student at their university to legally intern.

• CPT has no cost or immigration paperwork for the employer. It is awarded on a semester-by-semester basis in conjunction with internship courses.
• Employers must provide an offer letter to the student. The student is responsible for working with the Queens Vandiver Center for Career Development and Pulliam Center for International Education to process their CPT.
• Students can intern up to 20 hours a week during an academic semester and up to 40 hours a week during the summer.
• The internship must be related to the student’s major.

Post-Graduate Employment

Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows international students to work legally for up to 12 months (up to 3 years for STEM students) post-graduation.

• OPT has no cost or immigration paperwork for the company to complete.
• Queens graduates or graduating students may work with our International Student Services to apply and receive approval of OPT.
• Post-graduate work must be related to the student’s academic field of study.