Why don’t US firms sponsor international grads?

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1. Cost of Sponsorship

Sponsoring a work visa like H-1B or a green card can cost thousands of dollars including legal and filing fees. For smaller companies, this can be a financial burden. Even large companies often have a limited number of sponsorship slots each year.

2. Complex Legal Process

The U.S. immigration process is complicated. Employers must handle paperwork, meet deadlines, and ensure legal compliance. Many companies avoid this risk and responsibility by not sponsoring.

3. Timing Uncertainty

The H-1B visa uses a lottery system, and there is no guarantee an international student will be selected. Even if selected, there can be long wait times before they can actually start working, which makes planning harder for employers.

4. Temporary Work Authorization Limitations

International students often rely on OPT (Optional Practical Training), which allows them to work for 12 to 36 months after graduation. Employers worry about training someone who may have to leave the company if they are unable to get further visa approval.

5. Citizenship or Security Requirements

Some jobs, especially in areas like government, defense, or security, legally require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Even some private-sector roles may have restrictions or extra requirements that complicate hiring non-citizens.

6. Company Policy or Lack of Awareness

Some companies have a blanket policy against visa sponsorship to keep things simple. Others may not fully understand the rules around work authorization for international students and incorrectly assume they are not eligible to work.