Lana Oconnell
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization that allows F-1 international students to gain work experience in the US during their undergraduate and graduate studies. CPT is available for both paid and unpaid off-campus internships and practicums that are integral to their degree program. Students can work full-time on CPT, but they must be enrolled at least part-time and have authorization from their school's International Student Office. CPT authorization is given on a semester basis, and students must apply separately for each semester. While there is no limit to how long a student can work on CPT, engaging in 12 months or more of full-time CPT makes them ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible? | F-1 international students |
| Requirements | Students must have completed one academic year of full-time study at a US university, be enrolled full-time for the semester they wish to pursue CPT, and have secured a training position. |
| Work type | Paid and unpaid off-campus internships and practicums |
| Work hours | Part-time CPT is up to 20 hours per week, and full-time CPT is up to 40 hours per week. |
| Limitations | CPT is only authorized for the dates of the specific semester. Full-time CPT is limited to a maximum of 12 months. After 12 months, students are ineligible for OPT. |
| Application process | Students must complete an application and submit it via the ISSS Portal, along with an official offer letter from the employer. |
| Approval time | The approval process usually takes between 5-10 business days. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
CPT work authorization requirements
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization that allows F-1 international students to participate in paid and unpaid off-campus academic internships and practicums during their degree program. CPT is only authorized for specific dates in a given semester, and students must apply separately for each semester. The CPT authorization is only required when the training is inside the United States.
To be eligible for CPT, students must:
- Be enrolled at an SEVP-certified college, university, conservatory, or seminary.
- Have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for at least a full academic year. There is an exception for students in graduate studies whose programs require earlier training.
- Not be studying English as a second language.
- Have secured a training position.
Students can work full-time with department approval, but they must have part-time enrollment and indicate that they are in their final semester on the CPT request. CPT authorization is given on a semester basis, and students must apply separately for each semester they wish to do CPT. Students who were granted CPT but subsequently drop below the full course load will need to stop working immediately and notify OIS of this change.
To apply for work authorization, students must file a Form I-765 with USCIS and pay a filing fee. USCIS will send an EAD upon approving the petition. Students must wait to start work until they receive their EAD.
International Students: Ready for US Colleges?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
CPT application process
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization that allows F-1 international students to participate in paid and unpaid off-campus internships and practicums during their degree program. CPT is only authorized for the dates of the specific semester. The purpose of CPT is academic, and the internship/practicum must be considered an integral part of a student's degree program.
To be eligible for CPT, students must:
- Have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for at least a full academic year. An exception exists for graduate students whose programs require earlier training.
- Not be studying English as a second language.
- Have secured a training position. CPT authorization is only required when the training is inside the United States.
- Speak to a student advisor at your university to find out more about the CPT programs available, eligibility requirements, and potential employers.
- Take any college-required CPT courses necessary to become an eligible candidate.
- Obtain a job offer letter on official letterhead from your employer.
- Apply for the college-specific CPT program through your university. Note that authorization can take a few weeks, so plan ahead. Before beginning the application process, ensure you have all the requested documentation, such as proof of class registration.
- Once your DSO verifies that your Form I-983 is complete, they will provide you with a new Form I-20 that shows their recommendation for this training opportunity.
- Apply for work authorization by filing a Form I-765 with USCIS and paying a filing fee.
- USCIS will send you an EAD upon approving your petition.
- You will receive a document approving your application and outlining your CPT start and end date.
- Start the CPT program with your employer on the outlined start date.
Please note that individual college requirements may vary, so it is important to check the CPT program requirements at your college before applying. Additionally, CPT authorization can be given on a part-time or full-time basis, in accordance with school policies. When school is in session, the student must maintain a full course of study even when CPT is authorized.
International Students: A Guide to Getting Green Cards
You may want to see also
Explore related products
CPT eligibility
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization that allows F-1 international students to participate in paid and unpaid off-campus internships and practicums during their degree program. CPT is only authorized for internships that are considered an integral part of a student's degree program.
To be eligible for CPT, students must:
- Be enrolled in an SEVP-certified college, university, conservatory, or seminary.
- Have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for at least one full academic year. An exception exists for graduate students whose programs require earlier training.
- Not be studying English as a second language.
- Have secured a training position.
- Maintain full-time enrollment during the CPT semester. The only exception is during the student's final semester.
- Have a job offer at the time of application.
- Register for an internship class or unit, if applicable.
- Complete the CPT I-20 Request Form and attach an internship offer letter for review by their Academic Advisor/Internship Coordinator.
It is important to note that CPT authorization is required only for internships or training taking place inside the United States. For example, a summer internship in a student's home country does not need CPT authorization. Additionally, CPT does not interfere with students' eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation unless they have completed 12 months of full-time CPT during their degree program.
International Students: Eligibility for Federal Student Loans
You may want to see also
Explore related products
CPT work limitations
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization that allows F-1 international students to participate in paid and unpaid off-campus internships and practicums during their degree program. CPT is only authorized for students who are enrolled in an SEVP-certified college, university, conservatory, or seminary and are not studying English as a second language. Students must also have been enrolled full-time for at least one full academic year prior to their CPT start date, except for graduate students whose programs require earlier training.
CPT is intended for academic purposes and must be considered an integral part of a student's degree program. Students may work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) or full-time, and CPT may be authorized on a semester-by-semester basis. Students must maintain a full course of study even when CPT is authorized, and they must stop working immediately if they drop below a full course load.
There are limitations to CPT work authorization. Students are required to secure a training position and must have their CPT authorized by a Designated School Official (DSO) before beginning work. CPT authorization is only valid inside the United States, and students must maintain their F-1 status each semester. Additionally, CPT is limited to a total of 12 months of full-time work during a degree program. If a student completes 12 months or more of full-time CPT, they become ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) at the same educational level. However, part-time CPT does not affect OPT eligibility.
Students must apply for work authorization by filing a Form I-765 with USCIS and paying a filing fee. They may continue working on an expired EAD for OPT while a 24-month extension petition is pending, provided they meet certain conditions. Practical training is the only type of work permission available to M-1 students, who are eligible for up to six months of on-the-job training after completing their program.
European Colleges: Free for International Students?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
CPT and OPT
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization that allows F-1 international students to gain work experience in the US during their undergraduate and graduate studies. CPT allows students to participate in paid and unpaid off-campus internships and practicums that are considered an integral part of their degree program. Students must be enrolled full-time and have completed at least one academic year to be eligible for CPT, except for graduate students whose programs require earlier training. CPT is approved on a semester-by-semester basis and must be related to the student's major. Students can work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) or full-time (more than 20 hours per week) during CPT, but they must maintain a full course of study even when CPT is authorized.
It's important to note that CPT does not interfere with students' eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT) unless they have completed 12 months of full-time CPT during their degree program. OPT is a type of work authorization that allows students to work in the US after graduation. Students can use CPT to save their OPT for after graduation and extend their time in the US on an F-1 visa. However, if a student completes 12 months of full-time CPT or pre-completion OPT, they will no longer be eligible for post-completion OPT.
To apply for CPT, students must secure an internship offer and enroll in a full course load or indicate they are in their final semester. They then need to complete the CPT application and submit it to their university's ISSS office, along with an official offer letter from the employer. The processing and approval time for CPT usually takes between 5-10 business days.
Practical training is also available to M-1 students, who are eligible to receive on-the-job training for up to six months after completing their program.
Transferring Colleges: Options for International Students
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization that allows F-1 international students to gain work experience in the US during their undergraduate and graduate studies.
To be eligible for CPT, students must have completed one academic year of full-time study at a US university and have secured a training position. CPT authorization is only required when the training takes place inside the United States.
Yes, students can work full-time on CPT, but they must have part-time enrollment and indicate that they are in their final semester on the CPT request. Full-time CPT is limited to a maximum of 12 months, after which students become ineligible for OPT.
CPT requires an application completed by the student, which can be submitted via the ISSS Portal. The application process usually takes between 5-10 business days and requires an official offer letter from the employer.
