OPT Agency Owner Jobs

Agency Owner roles on OPT require an employer of record or a U.S.-based business entity to sponsor your work authorization, since F-1 OPT doesn't permit self-employment. Most students pursue this path through established agencies willing to hire and sponsor while you build toward ownership.

Find OPT Agency Owner Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs180+
Work Type55% On-site
Top LocationBoston, MA
Most JobsMarsh McLennan Agency

Showing 5 of 180+ Agency Owner jobs

Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Agency Finance Staff Services Officer
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Texas Health and Human Services Commission
New 13h ago
Agency Finance Staff Services Officer
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Austin, Texas
Administrative & Office Support
Human Resources
Project & Program Management
$4,263 - $6,779/mo
Hybrid
Associate's
10,000+

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KeyBank
Agency Underwriter or Senior Agency Underwriter
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KeyBank
New 13h ago
Agency Underwriter or Senior Agency Underwriter
KeyBank
Cleveland, Ohio
Customer Service & Support
$96k - $181k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Northmarq
Agency Underwriter
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Northmarq
New 13h ago
Agency Underwriter
Northmarq
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Partnerships & Business Development
Customer Service & Support
$93k - $120k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Lord Abbett
Transfer Agency Oversight Specialist
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Lord Abbett
Added 3d ago
Transfer Agency Oversight Specialist
Lord Abbett
Jersey City, New Jersey
Business Operations
Project & Program Management
Compliance & Legal
Customer Service & Support
Compliance & Risk
$75k - $90k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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State Street
Alternative Ops Transfer Agency Associate
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State Street
Added 1w ago
Alternative Ops Transfer Agency Associate
State Street
Boston, Massachusetts
Business Operations
Customer Service & Support
Project & Program Management
Customer Service
Project Management
$42k - $67k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Agency Owner

Clarify your OPT employment structure upfront

Agency Owner roles often blur the line between employment and self-employment. Make sure any arrangement involves a legitimate W-2 employer relationship with a U.S. business entity, which is the only structure that satisfies F-1 OPT work authorization requirements.

Target agencies actively hiring international talent

Smaller independent agencies and holding groups are often more flexible with sponsorship than large networks. Research firms that have previously hired F-1 OPT students into leadership tracks, as they understand the authorization requirements and are less likely to withdraw offers late.

Frame your pitch around revenue generation

Agency principals care about client acquisition and retention. Lead with measurable outcomes from past roles, such as accounts managed, clients retained, or revenue influenced. This shifts the conversation from your visa status to your business value from the first interaction.

Understand your STEM OPT eligibility before applying

If your degree is in a STEM field and the role qualifies, you may be eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension after your initial 12 months. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying so you can communicate your full authorization timeline to employers.

Address the H-1B transition early in negotiations

Employers hiring you into an Agency Owner track need to plan for H-1B visa sponsorship before your OPT expires. Raise this during the offer stage, not after. Agencies that are serious about long-term hires will have a plan or be willing to develop one.

Use Migrate Mate to find sponsorship-open agencies

Not every agency listing is open to OPT candidates, and screening manually wastes time you don't have. Migrate Mate filters specifically for employers willing to sponsor international students, so you can focus your outreach on roles where your authorization is already a known quantity.

Agency Owner OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Can F-1 OPT students work as an Agency Owner?

Yes, but only through a qualifying W-2 employer relationship, not as a self-employed business owner. F-1 OPT prohibits self-employment, so you must be hired by an existing U.S. agency that employs you directly. Some students enter ownership tracks by joining an agency as a senior employee with an equity or partnership arrangement structured through payroll.

Does an Agency Owner role qualify for STEM OPT extension?

It depends on the nature of the role and your degree. If your agency specializes in a STEM-adjacent field, such as digital marketing technology, data analytics, or software, and your degree is STEM-designated, the role may qualify. Your DSO must confirm the degree's CIP code matches a DHS-approved STEM field, and your employer must meet the formal training plan requirements.

How do I find agencies willing to sponsor OPT students for ownership-track roles?

Most general job listings don't flag sponsorship willingness, which makes filtering manually time-consuming. Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students on OPT and shows roles from employers open to sponsoring work authorization. Focusing your search there saves significant time compared to cold-applying to agencies that may not be set up to hire international candidates.

What happens to my OPT authorization if the agency restructures or closes?

Your OPT is tied to employment in your authorized field, not to a specific employer. If your agency closes or restructures and you lose your W-2 employment, you have a 90-day unemployment buffer during your initial OPT period. You must report any job change or gap to your DSO promptly, as unreported unemployment can jeopardize your F-1 status.

Can an Agency Owner role lead to H-1B sponsorship?

Yes, and it's one of the more viable H-1B pathways if the agency is willing. For H-1B sponsorship, the employer must file a Labor Condition Application and petition USCIS on your behalf before your OPT expires. Raise the H-1B question during the offer negotiation stage. Agencies that have sponsored before will understand the timeline; those that haven't may need guidance on the process.