The City University of New York OPT Eligible Jobs USA

The City University of New York hires F-1 students on OPT across its many campuses and colleges, with demand concentrated in research, technology, academic administration, and student services roles. As a large public university system, CUNY offers OPT students genuine pathways into higher education careers and, for qualifying roles, potential H-1B visa sponsorship down the line.

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Overview

Open Jobs47+
Top Visa TypeGreen Card
Work Type96% On-site
Median Salary$60K
Top LocationBrooklyn, NY

Showing 5 of 47+ The City University of New York OPT Eligible Jobs USA

The City University of New York
Adjunct Faculty Open Rank - Natural Sciences
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The City University of New York
Added 1mo ago
Adjunct Faculty Open Rank - Natural Sciences
The City University of New York
Queens, New York
Teaching & Instruction
Higher Education
$112.50/hr - $120.83/hr
On-Site
Doctorate

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The City University of New York
Lecturer - Marketing Management and Sales
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The City University of New York
Added 1mo ago
Lecturer - Marketing Management and Sales
The City University of New York
Brooklyn, New York
Teaching & Instruction
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Curriculum Design
Corporate Training
$70,571 - $86,721
On-Site
Bachelor's

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The City University of New York
Assistant Professor
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The City University of New York
Added 1mo ago
Assistant Professor
The City University of New York
Brooklyn, New York
Teaching & Instruction
Healthcare Administration
Higher Education
$76,937 - $94,909
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Doctorate

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The City University of New York
Enterprise Applications Developer
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The City University of New York
Added 2mo ago
Enterprise Applications Developer
The City University of New York
New York, New York
Software Engineering
Data Engineering
Backend Engineering
$114,482/yr - $125,932/yr
Hybrid
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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The City University of New York
Librarian Coordinator for Special Academic Programs and Outreach
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The City University of New York
Added 2mo ago
Librarian Coordinator for Special Academic Programs and Outreach
The City University of New York
Bronx, New York
Teaching & Instruction
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Customer Service & Support
$73,469 - $79,598
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Master's

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See all 47+ The City University of New York OPT Eligible Jobs USA

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Job Roles at The City University of New York

Teaching & Instruction36 jobs
Higher Education27 jobs
Research & Academia10 jobs
Corporate Training & Learning Development9 jobs
Human Resources6 jobs
Curriculum Design4 jobs
Customer Service & Support4 jobs
Healthcare Administration4 jobs
K-12 Teaching4 jobs
Learning & Development4 jobs

See all 47+ The City University of New York Jobs

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Tips for Finding The City University of New York OPT Eligible Jobs USA

Target campus-level hiring managers directly

CUNY operates more than 20 individual colleges and graduate schools, each with its own hiring process. Applying through a specific campus HR portal rather than the central CUNY website increases your visibility with the department that actually controls the hire.

Align your degree field to the role

CUNY's research and academic departments closely scrutinize whether your degree field matches the posted position. For OPT eligibility, your employment must be directly related to your major, so check the job description against your degree before you apply.

Confirm CUNY's E-Verify enrollment before accepting

STEM OPT extensions require your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. CUNY's system-wide enrollment covers most campuses, but verify the specific hiring entity listed on your offer letter is enrolled before you authorize the 24-month extension through your DSO.

Use Migrate Mate to research CUNY's sponsorship history

Before your interview, use Migrate Mate to review CUNY's LCA filing history by occupation and campus. This shows which job titles and departments have led to H-1B sponsorship, giving you concrete evidence to discuss the OPT-to-H-1B pathway with your hiring manager.

Document your OPT authorization before your start date

CUNY's HR onboarding requires your EAD card and I-20 with OPT authorization before your first day. Confirm your OPT start date with USCIS processing timelines in mind and apply at least 90 days before your intended start to avoid delays that could push back your offer.

Ask explicitly about H-1B sponsorship during the offer stage

CUNY sponsors H-1B for positions classified as specialty occupations, but not every role qualifies. Ask the hiring department whether the specific position has been sponsored before and whether the college has a dedicated HR contact who handles immigration filings with outside counsel.

The City University of New York OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions

Does The City University of New York sponsor OPT visas?

CUNY doesn't sponsor OPT directly. OPT is work authorization that USCIS grants to F-1 students, not something an employer files for. What CUNY does is hire students who already hold an OPT EAD. For STEM OPT extensions, CUNY's E-Verify enrollment makes the 24-month extension available to eligible employees.

Which roles and departments at CUNY typically hire OPT students?

CUNY's strongest hiring of OPT students tends to occur in research administration, data analytics, computer science support, student affairs, and academic advising roles across its graduate centers and research-intensive campuses. Administrative and IT positions at the central CUNY offices also regularly bring on OPT holders, particularly those with STEM-designated degrees.

How do I navigate the OPT onboarding process at CUNY?

Once you receive an offer, you'll go through CUNY's standard HR onboarding, which requires your EAD card, a valid I-20 reflecting authorized OPT, and your passport. Each campus handles immigration documentation slightly differently, so confirm with the specific college's HR office which forms they need and what their internal deadlines are before your start date.

How do I know if CUNY will sponsor my H-1B after OPT ends?

CUNY does sponsor H-1B for qualifying specialty occupation roles, but sponsorship decisions are made at the campus and department level, not centrally. Use Migrate Mate to review CUNY's LCA filing history by campus and job title before accepting an offer. Raise the H-1B question directly with HR during the offer stage, not after you've already started.

How do I time my OPT application to align with a CUNY offer?

USCIS recommends applying for OPT up to 90 days before your program end date. If you're targeting a CUNY role with a specific start date, work backward from that date and coordinate with your DSO immediately. OPT processing at USCIS can take several months, so leaving insufficient lead time is one of the most common reasons job seekers miss their intended start date.

How does The City University of New York hire OPT students?

OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. The City University of New York can hire OPT students as soon as their EAD card is approved. STEM degree holders can extend OPT by 24 months when their employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Most companies that hire OPT students also support the transition to H-1B when the student's OPT period is ending. Check The City University of New York's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.