ConnectingPilotLife Sciences

OPT, STEM OPT & H-1B Immigration Disclaimer

Effective Date: June 17, 2026 • Last Updated: June 17, 2026

1. Purpose of This Disclaimer

ConnectingPilot LLC (“ConnectingPilot,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) provides career-support and job-application assistance services for students and professionals seeking opportunities in Life Sciences, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Medical Devices, Clinical Research, Regulatory Affairs, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Validation, Manufacturing, Laboratory Sciences, and related fields.

Some ConnectingPilot clients may be international students, graduates, temporary workers, or other individuals seeking employment while holding or pursuing immigration classifications such as:

  • F-1 student status.
  • Optional Practical Training (“OPT”).
  • STEM Optional Practical Training (“STEM OPT”).
  • H-1B specialty occupation status.
  • Cap-gap benefits.
  • Curricular Practical Training (“CPT”).
  • TN, O-1, or other employment-authorized classifications.

This Disclaimer explains the limits of ConnectingPilot’s services concerning immigration status, work authorization, employer sponsorship, and immigration-related job-search information.

This Disclaimer supplements ConnectingPilot’s:

  • Terms and Conditions.
  • Privacy Policy.
  • User Agreement.
  • Career Services Agreement.
  • Refund Policy.
  • Acceptable Use Policy.
  • Data Processing Agreement.
  • AI and Resume Assistance Disclosure.

By creating an account, purchasing a plan, completing onboarding, or using ConnectingPilot’s services, the Client acknowledges and accepts this Disclaimer.

2. ConnectingPilot Is Not an Immigration Law Firm

ConnectingPilot is a career-support company. It is not:

  • A law firm or an immigration law firm.
  • A licensed immigration attorney or DOJ-accredited immigration representative.
  • A Designated School Official or government agency.
  • An employer-sponsored immigration service or visa-processing agency.
  • A substitute for qualified legal counsel.

ConnectingPilot does not provide individualized legal advice, legal opinions, legal representation, or legal conclusions concerning a Client’s immigration status, eligibility, employment authorization, visa options, or compliance obligations.

Information provided through our website, dashboard, coordinators, emails, templates, consultations, social media, educational materials, or other communications is general career information only. No communication from ConnectingPilot creates an attorney-client relationship.

3. Scope of ConnectingPilot’s Immigration-Related Career Support

ConnectingPilot may assist Clients by identifying and applying to jobs that appear consistent with their stated work-authorization preferences.

This assistance may include:

  • Searching for employers that publicly indicate they may consider OPT, STEM OPT, or H-1B candidates.
  • Reviewing job descriptions for stated sponsorship requirements.
  • Identifying positions that appear related to the Client’s education and professional background.
  • Filtering roles based on information supplied by the Client.
  • Tailoring resumes to relevant job descriptions.
  • Submitting applications manually to employer websites.
  • Recording application activity in the Client dashboard.
  • Providing recruiter outreach or cold-email templates.
  • Helping Clients prepare for employment interviews.
  • Providing publicly available, general information about employer sponsorship history.

ConnectingPilot’s role is limited to career support and application assistance. ConnectingPilot does not determine immigration eligibility and does not make decisions on behalf of USCIS, ICE, SEVP, DOL, DOS, CBP, universities, DSOs, or employers and their attorneys.

4. Important Distinction Between OPT and Employer Sponsorship

OPT is a form of temporary employment authorization available to certain eligible F-1 students. It should not be represented as the same type of employer sponsorship used for an H-1B petition.

A regular post-completion OPT employer generally does not “sponsor” the student in the same manner as an H-1B employer. However, the student must independently satisfy all applicable immigration, employment-authorization, reporting, unemployment-limit, and field-of-study requirements.

STEM OPT has additional requirements that may involve the employer, including participation in E-Verify and cooperation with the applicable training-plan and reporting requirements.

ConnectingPilot may use informal website language such as “OPT-friendly,” “STEM OPT-friendly,” or “sponsorship-friendly” to describe potential opportunities. Such language means only that the position or employer appears potentially compatible with the Client’s stated employment-authorization needs.

It does not mean that:

  • The employer has agreed to hire the Client or complete STEM OPT documentation.
  • The employer will participate in E-Verify or file an H-1B petition.
  • The job qualifies as employment related to the Client’s degree or satisfies all immigration requirements.
  • ConnectingPilot has verified the employer’s legal eligibility.
  • Any government agency has approved the opportunity.

The Client must independently confirm all immigration and employment-authorization requirements before accepting or beginning employment.

5. OPT Disclaimer

ConnectingPilot may help Clients search for and apply to positions that appear relevant to their academic background and career preferences.

ConnectingPilot does not determine whether:

  • A Client is eligible for OPT, or whether an OPT application will be approved.
  • A particular job is sufficiently related to the Client’s major or qualifies as permissible OPT employment.
  • A Client has exceeded an applicable unemployment limit or properly reported employment.
  • A Client may work for multiple employers, or whether volunteer/contract/self-employed/agency arrangements are permissible.
  • A Client’s Employment Authorization Document is valid for a specific employment arrangement.
  • An employer’s onboarding process satisfies immigration requirements.

The Client is solely responsible for confirming OPT eligibility and compliance with their DSO, international student office, USCIS instructions, SEVP requirements, or a qualified immigration attorney.

ConnectingPilot’s identification of a role as potentially relevant does not constitute a legal conclusion that the position qualifies for OPT.

6. STEM OPT Disclaimer

STEM OPT has requirements beyond those that may apply during regular post-completion OPT.

Depending on the applicable rules and the Client’s circumstances, relevant requirements may include:

  • An eligible STEM degree and a qualifying period of post-completion OPT.
  • Employment with an employer participating in E-Verify.
  • Completion and maintenance of Form I-983.
  • A bona fide employer-employee training relationship with minimum employment-hour requirements.
  • Timely reporting, periodic validation, and evaluations.
  • Compliance with applicable unemployment limits.

ConnectingPilot does not verify or certify that an employer:

  • Is properly enrolled in E-Verify or has a valid E-Verify account.
  • Is willing or legally able to complete Form I-983.
  • Can provide the required training, supervision, evaluations, or employer attestations.
  • Satisfies all STEM OPT employer requirements and will continue to do so.

Before accepting or beginning a STEM OPT position, the Client must independently confirm the employer’s eligibility and willingness to meet all applicable requirements.

ConnectingPilot will not complete or sign Form I-983 as the Client’s employer unless ConnectingPilot separately and lawfully employs the Client in a qualifying role. Career-support services alone do not make ConnectingPilot the Client’s employer.

7. H-1B Disclaimer

H-1B classification generally requires a qualifying U.S. employer or other eligible petitioner to undertake the applicable registration and petition process.

ConnectingPilot cannot require an employer to register a Client, file an H-1B petition, pay fees, respond to RFEs, or continue employment.

ConnectingPilot does not guarantee:

  • H-1B registration, selection in a cap process, or petition filing and approval.
  • Consular visa issuance or admission to the United States.
  • Change or extension of status, or cap-gap/exempt eligibility.
  • H-1B portability or continued employment.
  • Employer-sponsored permanent residence.

The decision to register, petition, sponsor, hire, continue employment, or withdraw a case remains solely with the employer or petitioner. Government agencies retain sole authority over immigration adjudications.

8. Sponsorship-Friendly Employer Information

ConnectingPilot may use public information, job descriptions, historical hiring information, and database E-Verify records when evaluating opportunities.

Historical sponsorship activity does not guarantee present or future sponsorship. An employer that sponsored workers in the past may change its policies, limit sponsorship to certain locations/seniority, or require unrestricted authorization.

ConnectingPilot does not warrant that sponsorship data, employer policies, or third-party databases are complete, accurate, or current. Clients should confirm sponsorship availability directly with the employer.

9. No Sponsorship or Placement Guarantee

ConnectingPilot provides job-search and application support only.

ConnectingPilot does not guarantee that an employer will accept OPT, complete Form I-983, file H-1B petitions, respond to applications, issue offers, or that the client will avoid unemployment days. Application support, resume tailoring, and research cannot guarantee employment or immigration outcomes.

10. Relationship Between Employment and Field of Study

Certain F-1 employment authorization requires employment to be directly related to the Client’s major area of study.

ConnectingPilot's job-matching evaluations are career opinions only and do not constitute a legal determination that a position qualifies under your field of study. The Client is responsible for preparing and maintaining an accurate explanation of how the employment relates to their degree.

11. Client Responsibility for Immigration Compliance

The Client remains solely responsible for understanding and satisfying all requirements applicable to their immigration status and employment authorization.

The Client is responsible for:

  • Maintaining valid status and monitoring authorization dates.
  • Confirming when employment may begin and stopping work upon expiration.
  • Monitoring unemployment limits, reporting changes in SEVIS, and consulting DSOs.
  • Obtaining completed and signed training plans (I-983) and filings.
  • Informing ConnectingPilot promptly of work-authorization changes.

ConnectingPilot is not responsible for missed deadlines, status violations, unauthorized employment, or other compliance errors.

12. Accuracy of Client Information

The Client must provide truthful, complete, current, and accurate information concerning their immigration status, OPT/STEM dates, degrees, and pending immigration matters.

The Client must not instruct ConnectingPilot to:

  • Falsely state that sponsorship is unnecessary or conceal sponsorship requirements.
  • Misrepresent work authorization or expiration dates.
  • Falsely claim citizenship, permanent residency, or submit fabricated documents.
  • Provide misleading answers to employer questions.

ConnectingPilot may refuse to submit an application, suspend services, or terminate accounts when it reasonably believes information provided is false or misleading.

13. Application Questions Concerning Work Authorization

ConnectingPilot enters responses on job applications based only on information and instructions supplied or approved by the Client. We do not determine the legally correct answer for a Client.

The Client must consult qualified immigration counsel when uncertain how to answer employer work-authorization or sponsorship questions. ConnectingPilot is not liable for consequences arising from answers selected or approved by the Client.

14. No Preparation or Filing of Immigration Forms

Unless separately stated in writing and performed by a legally authorized professional, ConnectingPilot does not:

  • Prepare or file immigration petitions (e.g. I-129, I-765) or DOL filings.
  • Represent Clients before USCIS or other government agencies.
  • Sign employer immigration attestations or complete training plans as employer.
  • Negotiate sponsorship terms or respond to RFEs on a Client's behalf.

15. Designated School Officials and University Guidance

For F-1, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, SEVIS, and school-reporting matters, Clients should communicate directly with their Designated School Official or international student office. ConnectingPilot cannot override or guarantee university policies and interpretations.

16. Immigration Attorneys and Accredited Representatives

Clients should seek individualized immigration advice from a licensed immigration attorney or DOJ-accredited representative.

Clients should not rely solely on ConnectingPilot’s website content, employee communications, AI-assisted output, or general internet information when making immigration decisions.

17. Government and Employer Independence

ConnectingPilot is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of USCIS, ICE, SEVP, DHS, DOL, DOS, CBP, any university, or employer. References to government programs, visas, or employers are for informational and career-support purposes only.

18. Changes in Law, Policy, and Employer Practices

Immigration laws, regulations, policies, fees, forms, and employer practices may change at any time. ConnectingPilot does not guarantee that previously published information remains current. Clients must verify information through official government sources or qualified legal counsel.

19. AI-Generated and Technology-Assisted Immigration Information

AI-assisted tools used by ConnectingPilot are for organization and keyword detection. AI output is not legal advice and may be incomplete or incorrect. Our coordinators do not present AI-generated information as legal conclusions.

20. Refunds and Immigration Outcomes

Refund eligibility is governed by ConnectingPilot’s Refund Policy.

Refunds will not be available solely because an employer does not accept OPT/STEM, refuses H-1B sponsorship, is not selected in H-1B caps, or if petitions are denied by USCIS. We sell career services, not immigration results.

21. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, ConnectingPilot will not be liable for loss or violation of immigration status, unauthorized employment, missed deadlines, accrued unemployment days, OPT/STEM denial, H-1B selection failure/denial, visa refusal, loss of wages, or other damages.

Any limitation of liability will be subject to ConnectingPilot's Terms and Conditions and applicable law.

22. Client Acknowledgment

By using ConnectingPilot’s services, the Client acknowledges that:

  • ConnectingPilot is a career-support company and not an immigration law firm.
  • ConnectingPilot does not provide individualized immigration legal advice.
  • OPT is not the same as H-1B employer sponsorship.
  • STEM OPT may impose additional obligations on the student and employer.
  • H-1B sponsorship decisions remain with the prospective employer.
  • Sponsorship history does not guarantee future sponsorship.
  • ConnectingPilot cannot determine whether a job satisfies immigration requirements.
  • ConnectingPilot cannot guarantee employment, sponsorship, status maintenance, or government approval.
  • The Client remains responsible for obtaining guidance from their DSO and qualified immigration counsel.
  • The Client must provide accurate work-authorization and sponsorship information.
  • Immigration outcomes do not automatically qualify the Client for a refund.

23. Contact Information

ConnectingPilot LLC

Website: ConnectingPilot.com

Email: [email protected]

ConnectingPilot cannot answer individualized immigration-law questions. Clients seeking such advice should contact a licensed immigration attorney or DOJ-accredited representative.