OPT Occupational Therapist Jobs

Occupational Therapist roles on OPT require active NBCOT certification and state licensure before you can practice, which takes planning during your OPT window. Most employers sponsor H-1B visa after OPT, and healthcare settings frequently qualify for H-1B cap-exempt status through nonprofit hospital affiliations.

See All OPT Occupational Therapist Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs1,305+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type99% On-site
Median Salary$36K
Top LocationHouston, TX
Most JobsFOX Rehabilitation

Showing 5 of 1,305+ Occupational Therapist jobs

Advantage
Occupational Therapist
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Advantage
New 13h ago
Occupational Therapist
Advantage
Lakeview, Ohio
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Occupational Therapy
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Bachelor's
2-10

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Ochsner Health
Occupational Therapist
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Ochsner Health
New 14h ago
Occupational Therapist
Ochsner Health
Lafayette, Louisiana
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Occupational Therapy
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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University of Miami
Occupational Therapist 2
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University of Miami
New 19h ago
Occupational Therapist 2
University of Miami
Doral, Florida
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Occupational Therapy
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Master's
10,000+

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Trinity Health
Occupational Therapist
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Trinity Health
New 19h ago
Occupational Therapist
Trinity Health
Gaithersburg, Maryland
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Occupational Therapy
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Baylor Scott & White Health
Occupational Therapist
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Baylor Scott & White Health
New 19h ago
Occupational Therapist
Baylor Scott & White Health
Waco, Texas
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Occupational Therapy
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

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Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Occupational Therapist

Get NBCOT certified before your OPT start date

You cannot practice as an OT without passing the NBCOT exam. Schedule your exam during your final semester so certification is in hand before your OPT begins and you can start applying to clinical roles immediately.

Prioritize employers affiliated with nonprofit hospitals

Nonprofit hospitals and university medical centers are often cap-exempt for H-1B visa, meaning they can file year-round without waiting for the lottery. This dramatically improves your chances of transitioning off OPT into stable status.

Secure state licensure as early as possible

Each state has its own OT licensure process, and some take six to ten weeks to complete. Apply to your target state immediately after passing NBCOT so licensure delays do not eat into your usable OPT time.

Ask about H-1B sponsorship history during interviews

Not every OT employer has sponsored visas before. Ask HR directly whether they have an immigration attorney on retainer and whether they have sponsored H-1B or EB-3 petitions for clinical staff in the past two years.

Understand how STEM OPT extension applies to OT roles

Occupational therapy is not a STEM-designated field, so you cannot extend OPT for 24 additional months. Your authorized period is 12 months, making it critical to engage with sponsoring employers early in your OPT window.

Target healthcare systems actively recruiting internationally

Large hospital networks and long-term care chains regularly recruit internationally and have established immigration processes. These employers understand OPT timelines and are more prepared to file an H-1B petition before your authorization expires.

Occupational Therapist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work as an Occupational Therapist on OPT without state licensure?

No. Every state requires an active OT license before you can treat patients, and employers will not hire you without it. You must pass the NBCOT certification exam first, then apply for state licensure in the state where you plan to work. Start both processes before your OPT period begins to avoid losing work authorization time while waiting for approvals.

Do Occupational Therapist jobs commonly lead to H-1B sponsorship?

Many do, particularly at nonprofit hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, and university medical centers. These facilities often qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers, which means they are not subject to the annual lottery and can file petitions year-round. For-profit outpatient clinics and private practices can sponsor H-1B as well, but they must go through the cap lottery, which adds uncertainty to your timeline.

Where can I find Occupational Therapist jobs that sponsor OPT students?

Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces Occupational Therapist roles from employers with a verified history of visa sponsorship. Searching there lets you filter by sponsorship willingness rather than manually screening hundreds of general job postings where sponsorship is unclear.

Is Occupational Therapy eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?

No. Occupational therapy is classified under health professions, not STEM, and does not qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your standard OPT period is 12 months. This makes it especially important to begin conversations with employers about H-1B or other long-term sponsorship options well before the six-month mark of your OPT.

Can I work in school-based or home health OT settings on OPT?

Yes, as long as the work is directly related to your degree in occupational therapy and you maintain valid OPT authorization. School districts and home health agencies do hire OTs on OPT. However, check whether these employers have the infrastructure and willingness to sponsor an H-1B petition before accepting an offer, since smaller agencies often lack prior sponsorship experience.