OPT Full Time Jobs

Full-time employment is the standard for post-completion OPT and gives you the most direct path to building the kind of track record that leads to H-1B visa sponsorship. Employers who offer full-time roles to OPT students typically have structured immigration programs, and starting your career in a full-time position rather than a contract or part-time arrangement puts you in the strongest position for the conversations that matter later.

Find OPT Full Time Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs170,927+
Work Type89% On-site
Top LocationNew York, NY
Most JobsWalgreens

Showing 5 of 170,927+ Full Time jobs

Cleveland Public Library
Public Services Manager Iii
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Cleveland Public Library
New 4m ago
Public Services Manager Iii
Cleveland Public Library
Cleveland, Ohio
Human Resources
Customer Service & Support
Project & Program Management
$78k/yr
On-Site
Master's
501-1,000

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Beacon Hill
Lifecyle/Digital Marketing Specialist
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Beacon Hill
New 4m ago
Lifecyle/Digital Marketing Specialist
Beacon Hill
Alexandria, Virginia
Marketing
Content & Communications
Growth Marketing
Content Marketing
$90k - $100k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's

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Choice Hotels
Portfolio Optimization Programs Manager
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Choice Hotels
New 6m ago
Portfolio Optimization Programs Manager
Choice Hotels
North Bethesda, Maryland
Project & Program Management
Partnerships & Business Development
Customer Success
Project Management
$100k - $118k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Garnet Health
Registered Nurse
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Garnet Health
New 7m ago
Registered Nurse
Garnet Health
Middletown, New York
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
$52 - $58/hr
On-Site
Associate's

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Essentia Health
Medical Laboratory Technician
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Essentia Health
New 7m ago
Medical Laboratory Technician
Essentia Health
Brainerd, Minnesota
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Support
Laboratory Science
Medical Assistant
$24 - $36/hr
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

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See all 170,927+ OPT Full Time Jobs

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Full Time OPT Job Search Tips

Full time employment is the most straightforward way to meet OPT requirements

OPT requires that you work at least 20 hours per week. Full time roles, typically 40 hours, clearly satisfy this requirement and give you the most straightforward path to maintaining your status and documenting your employment for your DSO.

Prioritize E-Verify employers for full time roles

E-Verify enrollment matters regardless of your field, but it’s especially important if you hold a STEM degree and plan to apply for the STEM OPT extension. Confirm enrollment before accepting any full time offer.

Report new full time employment to your DSO within 10 days

Once you start a new full time job, you’re required to report it to your DSO within 10 days. Keeping your SEVIS record updated protects your status and ensures there are no gaps or discrepancies in your employment history.

Ask about the company’s approach to H-1B sponsorship during the offer stage

Full time employment is the context in which H-1B visa sponsorship happens. If long-term status is your goal, the offer stage is the right time to ask whether the company has sponsored before and whether they’d consider doing so for your role.

Negotiate your start date to align with your OPT authorization

Full time roles often have specific start dates. If your EAD hasn’t arrived yet, communicate proactively with your employer about the expected timeline. Most employers will accommodate a short delay, but they need to know in advance.

Full time roles with benefits signal a longer-term commitment from the employer

Employers who offer full benefits packages to entry level full time hires are generally more invested in retaining staff. That’s a good sign for H-1B sponsorship conversations down the line.

Full Time OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to work full time on OPT?

Post-completion OPT does not legally require full-time hours, but you must work at least 20 hours per week on STEM OPT to maintain valid status. Most employers sponsoring H-1B expect full-time commitment, and full-time employment gives you the strongest case for eventual sponsorship. Staying in a full-time role also minimizes the risk of exceeding the unemployment day limits that apply during the OPT period.

Can I convert from a part-time to a full-time role on OPT?

Yes, changing from part-time to full-time employment during OPT is permitted as long as the role remains related to your field of study. For STEM OPT, an updated I-983 training plan is required if your hours or responsibilities change materially. Reporting the change to your DSO keeps your records current and your status protected.

How do I find employers offering full-time OPT roles rather than contract positions?

Filtering your job search toward direct employer roles at companies with established graduate hiring programs is the most efficient approach. Full-time listings at mid-size to large companies with prior OPT and H-1B filing histories are the safest targets. On Migrate Mate, you can filter by verified sponsoring employers to focus your search on companies that have committed to international hiring in the past.

Can I start a full-time OPT job before I receive my EAD card?

No, you cannot begin working until you have your Employment Authorization Document in hand and the start date on the card has arrived. USCIS processing times for the EAD can vary, so applying as early as USCIS permits, typically 90 days before your OPT start date, gives you the best chance of having the card before you need to start. Some employers can accommodate a later start date if you communicate your EAD timeline clearly.

Do full-time OPT jobs come with the same benefits as standard employment?

Your employment status on OPT is the same as any other employee, and compensation and benefits must be commensurate with what similarly situated workers receive. On STEM OPT, the employer has a specific obligation to pay you comparable wages. You should expect the same access to health insurance, retirement contributions, and other standard benefits as your colleagues in equivalent roles.