Hiring OPT Employees: What Every Employer Needs to Know | Locke Immigration Law

Hiring international students on OPT can be a great opportunity for U.S. employers, but many are unsure of the rules and responsibilities involved. In this video, US immigration attorney Loren Locke explains everything employers need to know about hiring OPT employees, from what OPT is to how the process works for both the student and the company. OPT, or Optional Practical Training, allows recent graduates on F-1 visas to work in the U.S. for up to one year in a role related to their field of study. Employers don’t need to file immigration paperwork or pay sponsorship costs during this period—making it one of the simplest ways to hire international talent. However, it’s important to be aware of common challenges, such as delays in work permits, as well as what happens when OPT ends. If you’re considering hiring an OPT employee, this video will help you understand your role, the employee’s reporting requirements, and long-term options like STEM OPT extensions or the H-1B lottery. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap for making smart hiring decisions while staying compliant with immigration and labor laws. Locke Immigration Law helps American companies and skilled immigrants work together. Send us your information to see if we can help you: https://form.fillout.com/t/pHYN45z9aBus Follow Loren Locke on LinkedIn: / lorenlocke --- Want to learn how to strategically frame your achievements for the EB1A "Extraordinary Ability" visa? My free 5-day email course, "5 Days to Your Compelling EB1A Story," provides the 'EB1A Storytelling Toolkit' to help you build a powerful case. Sign up here: https://lockeimmigration.com/eb1a-ema... H-1B Lottery Changes Under Trump: What Employers Need to Know for 2026 Hiring OPT Employees: What Every Employer Needs to Know | Locke Immigration Law Timestamps: 00:00 What is OPT and how it works 00:53 Role of the university’s DSO in OPT 01:18 Common issues with OPT (delays, start dates) 01:54 Options after OPT: STEM OPT & H-1B lottery 02:21 Employer responsibilities when hiring OPT workers #opt #optjobs #hireopt #internationalstudentsusa #f1visa #stemopt #workauthorization #usvisa #usimmigration #immigration #optworkpermit #h1blottery #immigrationlaw #hiringforeigngraduates #employmentbasedimmigration #opttoh1b #usjobs #stemopt #employmentvisa #workinusa #lockeimmigrationlaw #jobinusa #workvisa