CPT is currently paused as the policies are being reviewed due to new DHS guidance.
What is CPT?
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of academically related work-based training authorization for F-1 visa students to gain practical experience in the field of their study.
The CPT regulations are very strict. As an F-1 student, the priority and purpose of your stay in the U.S. is to engage in full-time studies.
CPT must be integral to the curriculum: DSOs can only authorize CPT when the training is an integral part of an established curriculum and is directly related to the student's major area of study. CPT cannot be authorized solely for the purpose of employment or for experiences that are not required or otherwise formally recognized as part of the academic program.
SEVP reserves the right to request documentation and other evidence from DSOs or later you as the student to identify whether CPT was indeed a core and essential part of the student's studies, without which, they would be unable to complete their degree. While SEVP recognizes that the school, not the U.S. government, defines what is and is not required to complete a degree, SEVP is also committed to identifying and investigating schools or students that attempt to undermine or purposely bypass federal regulations or oversight.
For more information on eligibility, read below, join a CPT Workshop, and view the CPT Tutorial.
Eligibility Requirements
To obtain CPT, a student must:
- have been in valid F-1 immigration status for at least one academic year or two consecutive semesters.
- have a job offer related to the field of study and the employment/training must be integral to the student's degree program.
- obtain CPT authorization from an International Student and Scholar (ISS) advisor and faculty advisor BEFORE beginning employment.
- be registered in a course related to CPT employment--Obtain CRN from your Department. If applying for summer CPT, register for 12-Week Summer Session D. (Summer tuition is approximately $700 for 1 unit.)
- show Form I-20 to the employer as evidence of work authorization.
Types of CPT
Degree Requirement
CPT may be authorized when an internship is a requirement of a degree program (i.e. all students in the program must complete an internship to obtain the degree and is stated in the catalog).
Course Credit
CPT may be authorized to graduate students who have advanced to candidacy and enroll in a degree required course that requires employment to do substantial research including interviews, surveys, laboratory work, field research, observations, or access to specialized equipment. Students must demonstrate that the data collection or activity is required to complete the dissertation/thesis; is an integral part of the student’s degree requirements; and not reasonably replaceable by an alternative method or data collection processes. Enrollment in the course must be concurrent with the employment.
Authorization will be granted on a semester-only basis. However, if a student wishes to work for a period longer than the last day of the semester, s/he must enroll in the next available semester before authorization can be extended beyond the current term.
Amount of Hours Allowed
There are no limits to how much part-time CPT a student can engage in.
However, students who engage in 365 calendar days or more of full-time CPT in their program will no longer be eligible for post-completion OPT (working after graduation).
Authorization can be for full-time or part-time employment, depending on the academic department's requirement. Students should ensure they are balancing their CPT employment with their on-campus obligations. Students are able to apply for part-time CPT (20 hours or less per week) or full-time CPT (21 hours per week or more).
Students are allowed to work the amount of hours under the following conditions:
- Part-time CPT during the academic year (Fall/Spring Semesters)
- Students may work more than 20 hours during Summer term or semester breaks, such as Winter vacation.
- Full-time CPT during the academic year is available to Graduate students who have advanced to candidacy or are enrolled in a program which requires full-time CPT during the academic year.
- Approval of full-time CPT is at the discretion of academic departments. Consider potential impacts to graduate funding and on-campus appointments with your academic department eligibility and potential impacts to funding and on-campus appointments with your academic department.
Application Process
- Complete the CPT Request Form with your faculty or academic advisor
- Enroll in the appropriate course
- Submit the following to your DSO:
- Completed CPT Request Form signed by Advisor
- Proof of course enrollment
- Employer Cooperative Agreement Letter (The letter must contain ALL information on this employer template letter and be on company letterhead)
- Student Responsibility Letter (The letter must contain ALL information on this student template letter)
- Dissertation/Thesis Advisor Letter for graduate students only (The letter must contain ALL information on this faculty advisor template letter)
IMPORTANT: It's always best to request your CPT authorization EARLY! Please expect 3-5 business days for your ISS advisor to process your CPT after you've submitted a COMPLETED list of everything above. It's common to be missing things or accidentally forget to provide information and this could lead to longer processing times.
