Visa sponsorship limits job prospects as employers weigh legal and financial burdens
Visa concerns took center stage at the K-Move Job Fair hosted at UCLA on April 17, where over 120 job seekers, mostly Korean international students, met with 19 Korean American companies. The event, organized by KOTRA Los Angeles and the Korean Consulate General in LA, revealed a growing employment gap driven by visa sponsorship challenges on both sides.
Most job seekers held student visas (F-1) and said their employment choices were severely limited unless companies were willing to sponsor work visas. This issue has grown more complex since non-immigrant visa policies were tightened under the Trump administration.
A graduating UCLA student majoring in international studies, identified only as Yu, shared, “I want a job that matches my major, but now I have to first ask whether the company offers visa sponsorship.” Yu added that some fellow students are being denied even the opportunity to interview due to their visa status and are considering returning to Korea.
Employers reluctant to take on visa costs and risks
From the employer side, many companies expressed hesitation over sponsoring visas due to legal complexities and rising costs. A representative from Woongjin explained, “The H-1B visa is a lottery system, and the administrative burden is high. We can’t sponsor everyone, but if a candidate fits our long-term goals, we will consider it seriously.”
Employers also noted a preference for STEM graduates, who are eligible for OPT (Optional Practical Training) extensions of up to three years. In contrast, students in liberal arts and social sciences have only one year, making them less attractive hires.
Liberal arts majors face limited opportunities
Song Young-Chae, a communications major from the University of Utah who graduated in December, said, “Most job postings—even from Korean American companies—are for STEM roles. For liberal arts majors, it’s hard to find jobs, and even if you do, one year isn’t enough to build real experience before going home.”
A company representative at the fair pointed out, “New hires require training. So, someone with a longer OPT period presents less risk and is more appealing to us.”
Companies offering new sponsorship efforts
As visa sponsorship emerged as a key concern among Korean students, some companies came prepared with solutions. Woojin Industrial Systems’ North American division announced plans to begin offering formal sponsorship.
Kim Jin-Hee, Executive Director at Woojin, said, “Just like students worry about visa issues, companies have also discussed this extensively. We now view sponsorship as a long-term investment in talent.”
Park Ji-Hye, Director at KOTRA LA, added, “We knew many Korean international students were struggling with visa status, so we prioritized inviting companies open to supporting sponsorship.”
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
