OPT & CPT Hiring Program

Access a pipeline of highly skilled, US-educated international STEM graduates. Full E-Verify compliance, STEM OPT extension support, and H-1B transition guidance — all handled by NorthITe.

OPT / CPT Specialists Since 2008

Unlock a Diverse, Highly Skilled Talent Pipeline

OPT (Optional Practical Training) and CPT (Curricular Practical Training) candidates represent some of the most motivated, technically skilled IT professionals available in the US market today.

These are graduates from US universities — many with advanced degrees from top STEM programs — who are authorized to work in the US and eager to apply their knowledge in real-world environments. NorthITe has been running one of the most established OPT/CPT hiring programs in the country since 2008.

We handle every aspect of compliance — E-Verify enrollment, work authorization verification, STEM OPT extension paperwork, and I-983 training plan documentation — so you can focus entirely on getting value from exceptional talent.

Hire OPT/CPT Talent I'm an OPT Candidate
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OPT/CPT Program Benefits

✅ Access to top STEM graduates from US universities
✅ Full E-Verify & work authorization compliance
✅ STEM OPT 24-month extension managed by us
✅ H-1B petition guidance & transition support
✅ Competitive rates — cost-effective hiring
✅ I-983 Training Plan documentation handled
✅ Diverse, multilingual talent from 50+ countries
✅ 14-day replacement guarantee on all placements
Key Facts

Understanding OPT & CPT Work Authorization

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OPT — Optional Practical Training

OPT allows international F-1 students to work in the US in a job directly related to their major area of study. There are two types:

  • Pre-Completion OPT: Work authorization before graduation
  • Post-Completion OPT: 12 months of work authorization after graduation
  • STEM OPT Extension: Additional 24 months for STEM graduates, totaling 36 months of authorization

Most IT roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension — giving employers up to 3 years of authorization per candidate.

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CPT — Curricular Practical Training

CPT is an employment authorization for F-1 students that allows them to gain practical training through internships or co-op positions directly related to their field of study while enrolled.

  • Available while enrolled in their degree program
  • Must be integral to the curriculum
  • Can be part-time or full-time (with restrictions)
  • Excellent for internships and co-op programs

CPT candidates are often excellent prospects for future OPT and permanent hire pipelines.

In-Demand Specializations

OPT/CPT Talent We Place Most Frequently

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AI / ML Engineers

Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, LLMs, computer vision, NLP, generative AI

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Cloud Engineers

AWS, Azure, GCP, Kubernetes, Terraform, cloud-native development

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Data Engineers

Spark, Databricks, Snowflake, dbt, Airflow, ETL pipelines, SQL

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Full Stack Developers

React, Node.js, Java, Python, Spring Boot, microservices

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Cybersecurity Analysts

Security operations, vulnerability assessment, SIEM, compliance

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Mobile Developers

iOS, Android, React Native, Flutter — cross-platform specialists

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Database Administrators

SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, database performance

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Business / Data Analysts

Power BI, Tableau, SQL, requirements gathering, stakeholder management

Ready to Build Your OPT/CPT Talent Pipeline?

Connect with our OPT hiring specialists and discover the exceptional talent waiting to contribute to your team.