C.N.A. Jobs for OPT Students

C.N.A. jobs on OPT are available across hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health agencies. Most employers hire CNAs on a full-time basis, which satisfies OPT's requirement for at least 20 hours of work per week in a role directly related to your field of study.

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Overview

Open Jobs3,374+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type99% On-site
Top LocationWest Islip, NY
Most JobsRight At Home

Showing 5 of 3,374+ C.N.A. jobs

Sands at South Beach Care Center
CNA
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Sands at South Beach Care Center
New 7h ago
CNA
Sands at South Beach Care Center
Miami, Florida
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
High School

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Right At Home
CNA
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Right At Home
New 14h ago
CNA
Right At Home
Tallahassee, Florida
Nursing
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
CNA / Patient Care Tech
Caregiving & Elderly Support
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$15/hr - $18/hr
On-Site
None
10,000+

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Ensign Services
CNA's
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Ensign Services
Added 1d ago
CNA's
Ensign Services
Longmont, Colorado
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Support
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
$47,840 - $56,160/yr
On-Site

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Phoebe Health
CNA
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Phoebe Health
Added 2d ago
CNA
Phoebe Health
Albany, Georgia
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
1+ yr exp.
High School

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THE COTTAGE
CNA
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THE COTTAGE
Added 3d ago
CNA
THE COTTAGE
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Nursing
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
CNA / Patient Care Tech
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
On-Site
None

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How to Get Visa Sponsorship in C.N.A.

Confirm your degree aligns with the CNA role

OPT work must be directly related to your major. A CNA position typically qualifies if your degree is in nursing, healthcare, biology, or a related health sciences field. Document the connection clearly before accepting any offer.

Verify your state CNA license before applying

Every state requires a separate CNA certification through a competency exam. Employers will not hire you without it. Check your state's nurse aide registry to confirm your credentials are active and transferable across states if needed.

Target employers accustomed to work authorization paperwork

Large hospital networks, national nursing home chains, and established home health agencies process Form I-9 regularly and are familiar with EAD cards. Smaller private practices may hesitate simply due to unfamiliarity, not unwillingness.

Apply before your OPT start date is too close

Healthcare employers run background checks, drug screenings, and TB tests before your first shift. That process takes two to four weeks. Starting your search at least six to eight weeks before your available start date prevents delays.

Be upfront about your EAD expiration timeline

CNA roles involve shift scheduling and team planning. Letting hiring managers know your OPT end date early, and explaining STEM OPT extension eligibility if applicable, builds trust and reduces last-minute surprises for the employer.

Highlight hands-on clinical experience prominently

Employers hiring CNAs prioritize demonstrated patient care skills over credentials alone. List clinical rotations, practicum hours, and any volunteer healthcare work on your resume. Specific experience with patient transfers, vitals monitoring, or dementia care stands out.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work as a C.N.A. on OPT?

Yes, as long as the CNA role is directly related to your field of study. If your degree is in nursing, healthcare administration, biology, or a related health sciences discipline, CNA work qualifies under OPT. You must also hold a valid state CNA certification and an active Employment Authorization Document before your first day of work.

Does a CNA job count as qualifying OPT employment?

A CNA position qualifies if it meets two conditions: it must be directly related to your major, and it must be at least 20 hours per week. Most full-time CNA roles easily clear the hours threshold. The connection to your degree is what requires documentation. Keep a record of how the role applies your academic training in case your DSO asks.

Will CNA employers sponsor an H-1B visa after OPT ends?

H-1B sponsorship for CNA roles is uncommon because the position generally does not meet the specialty occupation standard, which requires a bachelor's degree as a minimum entry requirement. Nurses with a BSN in an RN role have a clearer path. If long-term U.S. work authorization is your goal, discuss your situation with an immigration attorney early so you can plan alternative pathways.

How do I find CNA jobs that accept OPT students?

Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings by employers open to work authorization. Searching on Migrate Mate saves time compared to applying broadly and discovering late in the process that an employer will not work with an EAD. Focus on large healthcare systems and national staffing agencies, which process work authorization documents routinely.

What happens to my OPT if I work through a healthcare staffing agency as a CNA?

Working through a staffing agency is permitted on OPT as long as the placement is in a role related to your degree and meets the minimum hours requirement. You are considered employed by the agency for I-9 purposes. Report the arrangement to your DSO promptly, including the agency name and the facilities where you are placed, to keep your SEVIS record accurate.

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