CEO Jobs for OPT Students

CEO roles on OPT are rare but not impossible, especially at early-stage startups where a founder-operator with a technical or business degree can qualify. Your OPT period runs up to 12 months, with a 24-month STEM extension available if your degree qualifies and the role meets STEM OPT reporting requirements.

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Overview

Open Jobs38+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type89% On-site
Salary Range$82K – $117K
Top LocationSan Francisco, CA
Most JobsSCA Health

Showing 5 of 38+ CEO jobs

SCA Health
CEO
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SCA Health
Added 1w ago
CEO
SCA Health
Woodbury, Minnesota
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Healthcare Administration
Strategy & Corporate Development
Project & Program Management
Business Strategy
$106,800/yr - $194,600/yr
On-Site
1+ yr exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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HappyRobot
Executive Assistant to the CEO
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HappyRobot
New 3h ago
Executive Assistant to the CEO
HappyRobot
Remote
Administrative & Office Support
Executive Assistant & Personal Assistant
Not listed
Remote (US)
5+ yrs exp.
Associate's

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Cyvl
AI Intern to the CEO
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Cyvl
New 3h ago
AI Intern to the CEO
Cyvl
Boston, Massachusetts
Software Engineering
Product Management
Partnerships & Business Development
Marketing
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Business Development
Not listed
On-Site
Master's

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tulip interfaces, inc.
Executive Operations Coordinator, CEO Office
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tulip interfaces, inc.
Added 2d ago
Executive Operations Coordinator, CEO Office
tulip interfaces, inc.
Somerville, Massachusetts
Administrative & Office Support
Project & Program Management
Executive Assistant & Personal Assistant
Office Management
Not listed
Hybrid
3+ yrs exp.

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Visteon
CEO Executive Assistant
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Visteon
Added 5d ago
CEO Executive Assistant
Visteon
Van Buren, Michigan
Administrative & Office Support
Executive Assistant & Personal Assistant
On-Site
5+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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How to Get Visa Sponsorship in CEO

Position yourself as a founder, not just a job seeker

CEO roles on OPT are most accessible at startups you co-founded or joined at the ground level. Emphasize equity ownership, board relationships, and operational scope. Employers and USCIS both scrutinize whether the role is genuine and not fabricated.

Ensure the role qualifies as a specialty occupation

For OPT to apply, your CEO position must be directly related to your degree field. A business, engineering, or computer science degree with a clear connection to the company's operations strengthens your case with USCIS if you later need H-1B sponsorship.

Document your employer relationship carefully

OPT requires a legitimate employer-employee relationship. If you have a significant ownership stake, work with an immigration attorney to confirm your structure qualifies under USCIS guidelines before accepting the role or signing employment agreements.

Start H-1B sponsorship conversations early

OPT typically lasts 12 months, with a potential 24-month STEM extension. CEO roles at venture-backed startups often have legal counsel who can advise on H-1B filing. Raise sponsorship before your OPT authorization window becomes urgent.

Target venture-backed startups with immigration experience

Early-stage companies that have previously hired international talent understand OPT and H-1B processes. Focus on firms backed by institutional investors, as they are more likely to have HR infrastructure and legal resources to support your work authorization.

Keep your STEM OPT reporting obligations current

If you're on a 24-month STEM extension, you must report to your DSO every six months and update your employer information promptly. CEO roles at multiple companies or with changed responsibilities must be reported to maintain valid work authorization status.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work as a CEO on OPT?

Yes, but the role must be directly related to your degree field and constitute at least 20 hours of work per week. USCIS and your DSO will expect a clear connection between your academic background and your responsibilities as CEO. Self-employment structures require extra documentation to confirm a legitimate employer-employee relationship.

Does working as a CEO at my own startup count for OPT?

It can, but USCIS requires a verifiable employer-employee relationship even for founders. You generally need a board of directors or investors who have the authority to hire and fire you. Sole proprietorships with no oversight structure typically do not satisfy OPT employment requirements. Consult an immigration attorney before proceeding.

Where can I find CEO or executive-level jobs that are open to OPT students?

Migrate Mate lists roles filtered specifically for F-1 OPT candidates, including early-stage and startup positions where executive roles are more accessible to international students. Searching on Migrate Mate lets you filter by work authorization type so you can identify companies that actively support OPT without wasting time on applications that won't move forward.

Can I qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension as a CEO?

Yes, if your degree is in a STEM field and your CEO role is directly tied to that field. A computer science graduate leading a software company, for example, has a defensible connection. Your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify, which is required for all STEM OPT extensions regardless of company size or role.

What happens to my OPT if I leave one CEO role and join another?

You must report any change in employment to your DSO within 10 days. There is no grace period for gaps in STEM OPT employment beyond a cumulative 150 days across the entire post-completion OPT period. Starting a new CEO role does not reset the clock, so timing transitions carefully is critical to maintaining valid status.

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