Working On Cpt: International Phd Students' Rights Explored

International PhD students in the US on F-1 visas are allowed to work outside their university during the summer term via full-time CPT for up to 40 hours per week. During the semester, they are typically only allowed to be employed for a maximum of 20 hours per week, including on-campus RA/TA employment. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a popular approach that allows students to focus on their research and complete their defence before shifting their focus to full-time employment. Students with an F1 visa who have completed their required coursework but have not defended their thesis and graduated can choose to end their I-20 and apply for OPT.

Part-time vs full-time CPT

International students in the US with F-1 or J-1 status have limited employment opportunities. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is available for F-1 students, allowing part-time or full-time work related to their academic course. CPT is an employment opportunity that is also part of the established curriculum.

CPT is only available for students with F-1 status who are enrolled in a full-time academic course. Students must obtain CPT authorization from their university's International Students Office, and any changes in CPT require prior permission. CPT authorization must be obtained before any work, paid or unpaid, can take place.

The basic difference between part-time and full-time CPT is the number of hours worked per week. Employment requiring 20 hours or more per week is considered full-time CPT, while employment requiring fewer than 20 hours per week is considered part-time CPT. Part-time CPT is unlimited, while full-time CPT can be used for up to 12 months before affecting OPT.

PhD students are in a unique situation regarding CPT and OPT regulations. PhD students can use their employment for their PhD research, or they can balance working with research. Students who have completed their required coursework but have not defended their thesis and graduated can choose to end their I-20 and apply for OPT. The most popular approach is to complete the PhD, then work on OPT, using CPT for work while completing the PhD.

CPT authorization

To be eligible for CPT authorization, students must meet certain requirements. Firstly, CPT must be integral to the student's major, and the experience must be a part of their program of study. Secondly, students must maintain a full course of study even when CPT is authorized. This means that during the academic year, most students can only work locally or remotely for their employer, usually on a part-time basis. However, there are exceptions for PhD students who have completed their coursework and are only registered for dissertation/research hours.

The CPT authorization process is typically initiated by the student, who must gather all the required documentation and submit it to their DSO. The DSO will then review the application and, if all requirements are met, approve the CPT authorization. The DSO will provide the student with a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," which indicates that the CPT has been approved. The student must also submit a Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorization," to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and pay a filing fee. Once the CPT is authorized, the student can begin their training or employment, but they must ensure that the details of their training opportunity match what was approved in the CPT authorization.

It is important to note that CPT authorization is granted on a term-by-term basis, and students must specify the start and end dates of their CPT employment. Any changes to the training opportunity, such as a change in employer or address, must be reported to the DSO within a specified timeframe. Additionally, students must maintain their student status and follow the steps outlined by SEVP when returning to school after employment. CPT authorization is a crucial process for international students seeking work experience in the United States, and it requires careful adherence to the guidelines and regulations outlined by the DSO and SEVP.

CPT employment options

CPT, or Curricular Practical Training, is a type of employment that is an integral part of an established curriculum. CPT employment may include "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 available only prior to the completion of your degree program and you must have a job offer at the time of application. CPT employment may not delay the completion of the academic program. Students must maintain a full course of study even when CPT is authorized. There are two types of CPT: required and optional. Required CPT is when the academic program mandates practical work experience for all students to graduate. Optional CPT is work experience directly related to your field of study that is not required.

For F-1 students, CPT can be authorised on a part-time or full-time basis, in accordance with the school's policies. Full-time CPT is defined as employment for more than 20 hours per week. Students must be enrolled full-time or have an approved Reduced Course Load (RCL) during the fall and winter CPT terms. If you are enrolled part-time, you must receive RCL authorisation from the International Center. For an optional (non-required) CPT in the final term, you must enrol in a separate in-person course in addition to the designated CPT course.

If you are a PhD student, you may be eligible for CPT if you have completed your required coursework but have not yet defended your thesis and graduated. This option presents PhD students with many choices, such as completing their PhD and then working on OPT, or using CPT for work while completing their PhD. Part-time CPT is unlimited, and full-time CPT can be used for up to 12 months before it affects OPT. However, 12 months or more of full-time CPT will eliminate your eligibility for OPT.

To apply for CPT, you must have a job offer and the employer must use the E-Verify program. You and your prospective employer must complete and sign Form I-983, "Training Plan for STEM OPT Students". Your DSO will then provide you with a new Form I-20 showing their recommendation for this training opportunity. For work authorisation, you must file Form I-765, "Application for Employment Authorisation", with USCIS and pay a filing fee. USCIS will send you an EAD upon approval. No work, paid or unpaid, may take place until your CPT I-20 is printed and signed.

OPT visa

International PhD students in the US are typically enrolled on an F1 visa, also known as a student visa. Once they are close to graduating from their program, they can apply for an OPT (Optional Practical Training) visa through their school's international student services office. OPT allows international students to stay and work in the US in their major area of study.

PhD students can use their employment for their PhD research, or they can balance working with research. Students who have completed their required coursework but have not yet defended their thesis and graduated can choose to end their I-20 form and apply for OPT. This option presents PhD students with many choices. They can complete their PhD and then work on OPT, or they can use CPT (Curricular Practical Training) for work while completing their PhD. The latter is the most popular approach as it allows students to focus on their research and complete their defence before shifting their focus to full-time employment.

Part-time CPT is unlimited, and full-time CPT can be used for up to 12 months before it affects OPT in any way. Students can have internships full-time and part-time to gain practical knowledge and earn money while they study. After completing full-time CPT, students will not be eligible to apply for OPT during their PhD.

The average time to get an OPT from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is 1-2 months. Students must find full-time employment within 90 days of the start date printed on their OPT card. If a student has used their OPT visa and still wishes to work in the US, they can apply for a visa change after completing their PhD. They can change their F1 visa from OPT to H1B visa by asking their employer to sponsor their visa.

F-1 visa rules

The F-1 student visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to enter the US and study at institutions certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). It is the most popular type of student visa for students seeking to study at a US university or college.

There are several rules and requirements that must be met for an F-1 visa application to be accepted. Firstly, the college or university where the student plans to study must be approved by SEVP Immigration & Customs Enforcement. Secondly, the student must be enrolled as a full-time student at the institution while their academic term is in session. Thirdly, the student must meet the required English language proficiency score of the institution they are attending or be enrolled in courses that will help improve their English proficiency. Fourthly, the student must prove they have sufficient funds to finance their studies and living expenses while in the US. Lastly, the student's passport should be valid for US travel for at least six months after their program completion date.

F-1 visa holders are allowed to work in the US, but they must follow certain rules and restrictions. During the academic term, F-1 students can only work part-time on campus. During academic breaks, they may be permitted to work full-time, provided their university allows it. F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) OPT Extension.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work experience that is directly related to the student's field of study. It can be required or optional. Required CPT is when the academic program mandates practical work experience for all students to graduate. Optional CPT is not required for graduation but is still related to the student's field of study. To be eligible for CPT, students must be enrolled in a CPT course, which must be set up and approved by the university. F-1 students must receive authorization for CPT before starting any work, and they must keep all Forms I-20 issued during their academic career.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to the eligible F-1 student's area of study. Students authorized for OPT must have a Form I-20 endorsed for OPT and must apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). PhD students have the option to complete their PhD and then work on OPT, or they can use CPT for work while completing their PhD.

The STEM OPT Extension is available to F-1 students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It allows eligible students to work off-campus, but they must receive authorization from the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS prior to starting work.

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