International Students: Ctp-Otp Program Eligibility

International students in the USA on an F-1 visa are limited in the type of employment they can accept. There are two pathways to employment for international students: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT is a type of work/study, internship, or other type of practical training that is integral to the student's program of study and is offered through a cooperative agreement with a sponsoring employer. OPT is a benefit available to international students in F-1 status who are enrolled in or completing a degree program in the United States, and it can be used before or after completion of studies. So, not all international students are currently in the CPT or OTP program, but these are the two main pathways to employment for international students in the USA.

CPT is an internship, work/study or co-op program

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of internship, work/study, or co-op program that international students can participate in. CPT is a form of practical training that is integral to a student's major and must be a part of their program of study. It is available to F-1 students who have completed one full academic year of study at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school. CPT can be authorized by a designated school official (DSO) on a full-time or part-time basis, depending on the school's policies.

To qualify for CPT, international students must ensure that the training is integral to their established curriculum and is offered through a cooperative agreement between their sponsoring employer and college or university. CPT is not restricted by a weekly 20-hour work limit, and students can work full-time if their CPT is authorized as such. The training must take place in the United States and cannot be, for example, a summer internship in the student's home country.

To apply for CPT, students should first contact their student advisor to learn about the CPT programs available at their institution, eligibility requirements, and sponsoring employers. Once they have acquired an employment offer letter, they can proceed to apply to the CPT program through their college or university. It is important to note that CPT authorization is added to the student's record, and they are expected to keep all Forms I-20 issued during their academic career.

While CPT provides valuable work experience and enhances the skills learned in school, it is different from Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT must relate to the student's major or course of study and can be applied for at each education level, such as the bachelor's and master's levels. Students can maintain their F-1 visa status after completing their academic program or OPT by requesting an extension to bridge the gap before the start of their H-1B status, which allows for temporary employment in the US for up to six years.

CPT must be integral to the degree program

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization that allows F-1 international students to take part in paid and unpaid off-campus internships and practicums during their degree program. CPT is defined as employment that is an integral part of an established curriculum. This includes "alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school".

CPT is only authorized for the specific semester for which it is approved, and students must apply separately for each semester. CPT is only available prior to the completion of a student's degree program, and the student must have a job offer at the time of application. CPT employment may not delay the completion of the academic program. Students must maintain full-time enrollment during the fall and winter CPT. The only exception to this is during the student's final semester.

Students who are engaged in thesis or dissertation work and have finished their coursework are still eligible for CPT, but only if the CPT is an integral part of their thesis, dissertation, or research. Students must be enrolled full-time and be physically present on campus in order to maintain lawful F-1 status during the fall and winter terms.

To apply for CPT, students must meet with their Academic or Faculty Advisor to discuss their CPT plans in detail. If the advisor believes the training is integral to the curriculum, they may recommend the student for CPT by completing the Academic/Faculty Advisor Recommendation Form. The student must then gather all the required documentation and submit their CPT application.

OPT is available pre- and post-completion of a degree

F-1 students can undertake Optional Practical Training (OPT) before or after they complete their degree. OPT is temporary employment directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study.

Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion). Students can only undertake part-time work (up to 20 hours per week) during the academic year (fall and spring semesters) and are authorised for full-time work (more than 20 hours per week) during the summer and winter breaks. Any time used prior to degree completion is subtracted from the 12-month total.

Students who have already received one year of full-time (40 hours per week) pre-completion OPT will not be entitled to any period of post-completion OPT employment authorization. Students who have received one year of part-time pre-completion OPT will only be entitled to six months of full-time post-completion OPT employment authorization.

Students are not required to have a job offer to apply for pre-completion OPT, but it is advantageous to have prospective employment as any time authorised will be subtracted from the time available for post-completion OPT. Students must have completed one full academic year of study at an SEVP-certified school to qualify for OPT.

OPT is available for up to 12 months

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a type of work permission available for eligible F-1 students. OPT is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study. Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion). However, all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.

For instance, if you have already received 1 year of part-time (20 hours per week) pre-completion OPT, the total time of full-time OPT still available would be reduced by 6 months, 50% of the previously authorized year at the same education level. In this case, you would only be entitled to a remaining period of 6 months of full-time post-completion OPT employment authorization. Similarly, if you have already received 1 year of full-time (40 hours per week) pre-completion OPT, the total time of full-time OPT still available would be reduced by 1 year, 100% of the previously authorized year at the same education level. In this case, you would not be entitled to any period of post-completion OPT employment authorization.

To apply for OPT, students must first request a recommendation from their Designated School Official (DSO) at their college or university. The DSO will update the SEVIS and I-20 form with the OPT recommendation. Students must then complete Form I-765 and send it to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) along with the required documents outlined on the application and pay the required fee. Once the USCIS approves Form I-765, students must obtain their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and can start their OPT program on the start date mentioned on their EAD.

It is important to note that students cannot begin their pre- or post-completion OPT until after their Form I-765 is approved and they receive their EAD. Additionally, students must not begin working before the start date on their EAD. Students must also comply with all requirements for maintaining their student status, and any OPT requests entered into SEVIS must comply with federal regulations.

OPT requires a work permit

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a type of work permit for international students. OPT allows students to remain in their F-1 student status and work for a US employer in their field of study. Students can apply for post-completion OPT for up to 12 months, and those with a degree in a STEM field can get an additional two-year "STEM extension", for a total of 36 months of work authorization and training.

OPT is available to international students who are studying at or have graduated from US colleges and universities. Students can apply for pre-completion OPT after they have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for one full academic year. They can work 20 hours or less per week while school is in session and full-time when school is not in session. Post-completion OPT requires students to work part-time (at least 20 hours per week) or full-time.

To apply for OPT, students must request a recommendation from their Designated School Official (DSO) at their academic institution. The DSO will make the recommendation by endorsing the student's Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status", and making the appropriate notation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Students must then complete Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization", and submit it to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) along with the required fee and supporting documentation. Once the USCIS approves Form I-765, students must obtain their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) before starting their OPT program.

It is important to note that working in the US without authorization has serious consequences, including removal from the country and re-entry bars. Students must maintain their F-1 status by complying with all requirements, including not working on a terminated EAD.

Frequently asked questions