Hiring international students
More than 30% of Kellogg MBA students are from nations outside the U.S. Our international students possess the key characteristics of Kellogg graduates — agile and confident leaders with strong collaboration and analytical skills — all while offering a rich, global perspective.
These students, eager to seek opportunities both within the U.S. and globally, are authorized to work in the U.S., making them invaluable assets to any company looking to expand and adapt in a global economy. Kellogg international students are also eligible for full-time employment and internships through the following programs:
- Optional Practical Training (OPT): A work authorization available to F-1 international students who seek full-time employment in the United States in their fields of study after graduation.
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT): A temporary work authorization for off-campus work during an F-1 student's academic program.
- Academic Training (AT): A temporary work authorization for off-campus work during or after completion of a J-1 student’s academic program.
Kellogg MBA: STEM-designated degrees
Kellogg’s MBA and MBAi degrees are listed on the Department of Homeland Security's STEM Designated Degree Program List under CIP code: 52.1301 “Management Science”. This designation allows eligible F-1 international students to work in the U.S. for up to 36 months after graduation, including 12 months of F-1 OPT and a 24-month extension of post-completion OPT (STEM OPT extension).
Dedicated international student advising team
Kellogg's International Student Advising team will authorize CPT applications and recommend eligible OPT/STEM OPT extension applications, which are adjudicated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Employers do not need to incur any additional costs to hire an international student who will work with either a CPT or OPT work authorization.
The biggest impact of international talents is how their diverse experience adds contextual value to our projects. Kellogg students show an open mindset with good understanding of international context and willingness to take on challenges.
Hiring international students for full-time jobs
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Kellogg's International Student Advising team recommends OPT. These applications are adjudicated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The employer does not incur any additional costs to hire an international student using F-1 OPT.
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With advanced planning, an employer can sponsor a foreign citizen for the H-1B visa, the O-1 visa, or other temporary work visas to allow international students to continue employment beyond their F-1 OPT periods. Employers planning to pursue these avenues should contact their HR department or seek outside immigration counsel.
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A student’s OPT start date must be within 60 days of the student's program end date as listed on their I-20. It can be as early as the day after their program's end date. If students do not start work on their OPT start date (no later than 60 days after their program end date), they can use up to 90 days of unemployment during their 12-month OPT.
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Employers are generally not required to prove that hiring an international student on OPT or AT doesn't displace a qualified U.S. or permanent citizen. This requirement currently only applies when employers seek to hire foreign citizens on a permanent basis and sponsor them for permanent resident status (Green Card).
Hiring international students for internships
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Kellogg's International Student Advising team authorizes CPT either for part-time (20 hours/week or less) or full-time (over 20 hours/week) employment. Once a student has been authorized for CPT, they receive an updated I-20 form with their approved CPT start and end dates and their employer's information. The employer does not need to incur any additional costs to hire an international student using F-1 CPT.
The only thing that a company will need to produce is an offer letter containing a few key details about the student’s internship. Specifically, the offer letter needs to be written on company letterhead and include the student’s start date, end date, hours per week, and the address of the location where the student will work. This should be a letter. Please do not submit contracts.
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Students on a J-1 visa can work under a program called J-1 Academic Training (J-1 AT) which may allow them to work part-time during their program of study. Students can check with Kellogg’s International Student Advising team to verify their eligibility.
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