Douglas Olsen
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization that allows international students on F-1 visas to gain valuable work experience by participating in paid and unpaid off-campus internships during their degree program. To be eligible for CPT, students must have completed at least one full academic year and have a valid job or internship offer related to their field of study. While CPT provides great opportunities for international students, there are restrictions on working full-time. Students can only be approved for part-time CPT while in school, which is up to 20 hours per week. Although there is no limit to how long one can work part-time, it is important to note that working full-time on CPT for 12 months or more makes an individual ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who qualifies for CPT? | F-1 visa students who have completed at least one academic year and have a valid job or internship offer related to their field of study. |
| Who authorizes CPT? | Designated school officials (DSOs) in accordance with school policies. |
| Can CPT be full-time? | Yes, CPT can be authorized on a full-time basis (more than 20 hours per week). |
| Can international students work full-time on CPT while studying? | Students can work full-time on CPT during the summer and other breaks, but they must maintain full-time student status during the academic year. |
| How long can CPT be used for? | There is no limit to how long CPT can be authorized for, but if a student works full-time for 12 months or more, they become ineligible for OPT. |
| What is the purpose of CPT? | CPT is meant to provide academic work experience and must be considered an integral part of a student's degree program. |
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What You'll Learn
CPT requirements for international students
To be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), international students in the US must meet several requirements. Firstly, they must be enrolled in an F-1 visa program and have completed at least one full academic year in a degree-seeking program. However, graduate students whose programs require immediate CPT are exempt from this rule. CPT must be an integral part of the student's degree program and directly related to their major field of study.
Students must obtain a specific job or internship offer that is academically appropriate and directly related to their degree. The employer must have a physical presence in the US, and the student must provide a signed cooperative agreement or a letter from their employer. Additionally, students must register for an internship course or a class that requires an internship during the semester they wish to do CPT.
Before beginning employment, students must obtain CPT authorization, which can be for full-time or part-time employment, depending on the academic department's requirements. Students should apply for CPT through their university and ensure they have all the required documentation, such as proof of class registration. The CPT application process can take a few weeks to complete, and students should plan accordingly.
It is important to note that CPT authorization is employer-specific and valid only for the student's current employer. If a student changes jobs, they will need to apply for a new CPT authorization. Additionally, students must maintain a full course of study even when CPT is authorized.
To summarize, international students in the US must meet specific requirements to be eligible for CPT, including visa status, academic progress, and employment conditions. It is important for students to carefully review the CPT requirements and regulations at their specific university and consult with their Designated School Official (DSO) before applying for CPT.
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CPT work hours and OPT eligibility
CPT, or Curricular Practical Training, is a type of work authorization for international students on F-1 visas. It allows students to gain work experience by working off-campus during their academic program, as long as it is related to their field of study. CPT is typically authorized for one semester at a time and is tied to a specific employer and job with a set duration. To be eligible for CPT, students must have completed at least one full academic year of school and have a valid job or internship offer. Students can work full-time during CPT, which is considered more than 20 hours per week, but this will affect their OPT eligibility.
OPT, or Optional Practical Training, is another type of work authorization available to F-1 students. OPT can be used before or after graduation, but it is limited to only 12 months of work in total. Students can work anywhere in the US with OPT, whereas CPT is tied to a specific employer. Students who engage in 12 months or more of full-time CPT become ineligible for OPT. However, part-time CPT, which is up to 20 hours per week, does not affect OPT eligibility.
To apply for OPT, students must have been enrolled for at least 9 months and must receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS. OPT employment must be directly related" to the student's major or course of study. Students can apply for 12 months of OPT at each education level, such as the bachelor's level and master's level.
In summary, CPT is a great option for international students to gain work experience during their academic program, but full-time CPT for 12 months or more will make them ineligible for OPT. Part-time CPT does not affect OPT eligibility, and students can still apply for the full 12 months of OPT at each education level.
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CPT authorization process
International students on F-1 visas can gain temporary work authorization through the CPT program. CPT stands for Curricular Practical Training and allows international students to work off-campus during their academic program after one year of full-time study.
- Eligibility: To be eligible for CPT, students must have completed at least one full academic year of school and have a valid job or internship offer. The job or internship must be related to the student's field of study and must satisfy an integral component of their academic program. It must also start and end before the end of the student's academic program. CPT authorization is only required when the training is inside the United States.
- Authorization: Designated school officials (DSOs) must authorize CPT for F-1 students enrolled at an SEVP-certified college, university, conservatory, or seminary. DSOs must authorize CPT on a part-time or full-time basis, in accordance with school policies. Students must maintain a full course of study even when CPT is authorized.
- Paperwork: Students must complete and submit various forms, including Form I-983, which verifies the training opportunity. They must also apply for work authorization by filing Form I-765 with USCIS and paying a filing fee.
- Approval: Upon approving the Form I-765, USCIS will send an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Students must wait to start work until they receive their EAD.
- Employment: CPT is tied to a specific employer and job with a set duration. Students can only work for the authorized employer and during the specified dates. There is no limit to the number of CPT authorizations a student can have, and it is possible to have multiple part-time CPT jobs simultaneously.
- OPT Impact: Students who engage in 12 months or more of full-time CPT become ineligible for OPT (Optional Practical Training). Part-time CPT does not affect OPT eligibility.
It is important to note that CPT is only available before graduation, while OPT can be used both before and after graduation.
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CPT employment rules
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a temporary work authorization for international students on F-1 visas. It allows international students to work off-campus during their academic program after one year of full-time study. Prior approval is required, and the work experience must be related to the student's academic program.
CPT is tied to a specific employer and job with a set duration. It is exclusively for F-1 student visa holders and is only available before the completion of a degree program. Students must have a valid job or internship offer, and the job must be related to their field of study. The job must also satisfy an integral component of the student's academic program and must start and end before the end of the program.
DSOs must authorize CPT on a part-time or full-time basis, in accordance with school policies. Students must maintain a full course of study even when CPT is authorized. While in school, students can only be approved for part-time CPT, which is up to 20 hours per week. Full-time CPT is considered to be more than 20 hours per week.
Students who engage in full-time CPT must still be enrolled as full-time students during the academic year. It is important to note that 12 months or more of full-time CPT will make a student ineligible for OPT. However, part-time CPT does not affect OPT eligibility.
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CPT and OPT differences
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) are two programs that allow international students to gain practical work experience in the United States. While both programs provide meaningful work opportunities in a variety of fields and industries, there are several differences between them.
Firstly, CPT involves internships or training that are required by the student's major to graduate. On the other hand, OPT allows students to work in their chosen field, but it is not required for graduation. OPT can be completed before or after graduation, whereas CPT must be completed before graduation. CPT is also part of the student's major curriculum and may include paid or unpaid internships, practicums, or cooperative education programs. OPT, however, is not employer-specific and does not include internships or cooperative education.
Another difference lies in the eligibility requirements. CPT is authorized by the university's international office for a specific time period and employer. There is no limit to how many times an eligible student can engage in part-time or full-time CPT. However, if a student works full-time for 12 months or more on CPT, they become ineligible for OPT at the same degree level. OPT, on the other hand, requires students to have been full-time students for a minimum of one year, and the work must relate to their major or course of study. To be eligible for OPT, students must receive a recommendation for OPT from a school official and apply for employment authorization through USCIS.
In terms of application fees, CPT does not have additional fees beyond the student visa requirements and tuition. OPT, however, requires a fee of US$410 for submitting an application to USCIS. The OPT application process can be lengthy, so students are advised to apply as early as possible.
Lastly, CPT does not require employment authorization, whereas OPT does. Students applying for OPT must receive an I-20 form with an OPT recommendation from a school official and then apply via Form I-765 to USCIS for work authorization. Once USCIS issues the Employment Authorization Document (EAD), students can begin their OPT program.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can work full-time on CPT while studying, but only during summer and other breaks, and if they will return to school after the break. 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.
To qualify for CPT, students must have completed at least one full academic year of school, have a valid job or internship offer, and the job must be related to the student's field of study.
CPT is tied to a specific employer and job with a set duration, whereas OPT can be used to find any job as long as it is related to your field of study. OPT is permitted for up to 12 months full-time in total. Students who have engaged in 12 months or more of full-time CPT are not eligible for OPT.
No, you cannot work full-time on both CPT and OPT at the same time. Students can work part-time on OPT (while still in school) and full-time during breaks.
