To join Handshake AI as a US person (US citizen, resident, or as otherwise defined by the IRS), you must:

• Have a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN); and
• Have a valid US work authorization that can be supported by Handshake.

SSN or ITIN

A SSN or ITIN is required to complete onboarding and receive payment. If you do not yet have an SSN or ITIN, you must wait until you’ve received one to complete your application and onboarding steps. 

Supported work authorizations

• US Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents
• F-1 Visa Holders
  • CPT (Curricular Practical Training)
  • OPT (Optional Practical Training)
• Other Supported Work Authorizations

US citizens and lawful permanent residents

US Citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are eligible to participate in Handshake AI. 

F-1 visa holders

F-1 students may be eligible to participate in Handshake AI through either CPT (Curricular Practical Training) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT/OPT supervision may not be available for every project, especially ones that are not domain-specific.

Participation in these programs also must be approved by your Designated School Official (DSO). If applicable, we can provide you with an offer letter that can be the basis for the DSO approval. If your school requires a CPT course, Handshake AI may not meet your school’s requirements. If you require CPT/OPT work authorization, please do not accept a project invitation or sign a project contract before your work authorization has been approved by your DSO or USCIS.

Please note that there are minimum or maximum hour requirements under these programs. Compliance with these requirements is your responsibility.  

Work with your DSO to ensure your eligibility and consult the federal government for more information on these programs. 

Other supported work authorizations

Persons with the following status and valid work authorization are also eligible for Handshake AI:

• H-4 dependent spouse with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
• L-2 dependent spouse
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
• Refugee
• Asylum seeker or grantee
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

Unsupported work authorizations

• F-1 Visa Holders: STEM OPT Extension
• J-1 Visa Holders
• H-1B Visa Holders
• TN Visa Holders
• H-4 dependent spouse without an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

We cannot support these visas or work authorizations at Handshake AI. Most of these require an employer-employee relationship. Handshake AI operates under a contractor model and not an employer-employee relationship.

FAQs

I'm not ready to provide documents before starting—can I still apply? 

If you're still waiting on documents (such as a visa or green card), you're welcome to apply once you're ready!

Already applied and now have your documents ready? Just reach out and let us know—we’ll be happy to revisit your application.

If your CPT eligibility changes and you need to pause participation, feel free to contact us. We're happy to reconnect once you're eligible again.

Can I get a DSO offer letter before I’m accepted into Handshake AI? 

At this time, we’re only able to provide DSO letters or offer documentation after a candidate has been accepted into Handshake AI and invited to participate in a project. If you're on a visa or require work authorization approval, you’re welcome to apply to the program. Once accepted, we’ll be happy to provide documentation (like a DSO letter) for your school.