International MBAs: Exceptionary Work Authorization Topics

If you’ve got it, flaunt it! Are you an international applicant who already has work authorization to work in the EU, UK, U.S. or Canada? If you are an international applicant unburdened by the realities of work authorization considerations (e.g. you have a family business that you can work for from anywhere or you plan to return to your home country immediately after MBA), you are a very lucky bugger. You need to make this abundantly clear in your application! It will help you! Here are a few top-of-mind exceptionary work authorization status items you should make abundantly clear in your application if they apply to you. 

Emphasize work authorization if you already have it. 

Whether or not you are already legally able to work in the United States is a radio button question on the fill-out portion of most MBA applications. Pre-existing work authorization or dual citizenship can & should also be disclosed on the resume. Make sure to make it clear what your particular situation is on the resume (e.g. that you have dual work citizen status or dual passports for EU/US, U.S. green card, etc.). It’s hard to find data on the percentage of international students with dual passports at top-flight MBA programs, but years of anecdotal evidence from our consultants indicates that, all things equal, there is a preference for international students who will be less limited for near and medium-term employment in-country.

Consider disclosing family business ties. 

If you are an international student with a family business and you have any interest in returning to it, that is the ultimate employment hedge, and is often worth mentioning. All things equal (and with a lot of caveats), it can also be a signal of social/financial capital, which is something that most AdComs and future alums want in their network.

Plans to return home immediately post-MBA.

If you are interested in returning to your native region immediately post-MBA, say so! Admittedly, this may mean lower comp, but it can often be seen as a “safer” play if your espoused industry interest typically doesn’t sponsor work authorization in the U.S. Schools want an international alum pool and they want young alums going back in-country. This is one of the ways that schools expand their reach and broaden their reputation. For example, we have had immense success with Central Asian clients recently as elite MBA programs try to break into that market.

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