Depending on your circumstances, you may choose to approach disclosing your immigration status to a potential employer in a variety of ways. It can be discussed at the beginning or towards the end of your interview process. However, you should discuss whether you have legal authorization to work before accepting an offer.

When in doubt, it is recommended to discuss this with the Human Resources contact first, as they are trained specifically in these conversations. Additionally, the Human Resources contact will be familiar with the regulations within their organization. Remember that you should try to respond honestly about your status and work authorization eligibility.

Please note, every company and circumstance is different. It is up to you to decide how you want to approach your situation. We encourage you to meet with a career coach in the Career Center or with Liz Cody in the Office of International Student Life to discuss this throughout the process. We are here to be a resource to you every step of the way.


The information provided on this page was adapted from Virginia Commonwealth University’s and UC Berkeley’s Career Services page.