As an international student, it is very helpful to understand Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) if you are interested in securing an internship while completing your degree or pursuing a full-time job after graduation. This article is meant to give you a general overview and point you toward useful resources, especially if you are just starting to explore these options.

In this article we will go over:

• Key differences between CPT and OPT
• A general CPT application overview
• Common CPT pitfalls to watch for

CPT vs OPT

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) both give F-1 international students opportunities to gain practical work experience related to their field of study. However, they are used in different ways and are governed by different rules.

In many cases, CPT is treated as an integral part of a student’s academic program, which generally means it is used while you are still pursuing your degree. CPT is usually authorized by your school’s Designated School Official (DSO) before you begin working, and it typically requires that you already have an internship or co-op offer in place. While on CPT, you are usually limited to a specific employer, location, and set of dates listed on your I-20.

According to current federal guidance, students who have 12 months or more of full-time CPT at the same education level are generally not eligible for OPT at that same level later on. Because of that, many students try to plan their CPT usage carefully and confirm the impact with their DSO or school’s international office.

OPT, on the other hand, usually does not require a job offer at the time you apply and is not tied to a single employer in the same way as CPT. OPT is requested through USCIS, and if approved, you receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). With an EAD, you may be able to work for different employers, as long as each position is directly related to your major field of study and you otherwise meet the requirements.

Under current rules, students are typically eligible for up to 12 months of OPT at each higher education level. For example, a student might use up to 12 months of OPT after a bachelor’s degree and then become eligible for another 12 months after a master’s degree. It is important to note that, in general, OPT is only granted once per degree level, so earning a second degree at the same level does not provide a new 12-month OPT period.

If your degree is in an eligible STEM field and you work for an E-Verify employer, you may also qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension after your initial 12 months of post-completion OPT. The exact details can change over time, so it is always a good idea to check the latest guidance on the Study in the States and USCIS websites and confirm with your DSO.

When should you apply for CPT and what should you expect?

After many applications and interviews, you have finally received an offer letter for your summer internship. If you are on an F-1 visa, your next step may be to request CPT so that you can work legally during that internship.

A key thing to keep in mind is that the CPT application process can vary by school. Some universities may require a certain GPA, completion of a specific course, or enrollment in internship or co-op credits before approving CPT. Your school’s international office and website are usually the best sources for the exact steps you need to follow.

Below is a list of information that many universities commonly request as part of a CPT application. This usually comes from your offer letter or an attached document:

Common information often requested for CPT applications

• Employer’s Name
   Used to identify the specific company where you will be working.
• Employer’s Official Address
   General company address for school and record-keeping purposes.
• Physical Address where you will be working
   Often needed so the school and government know where the work is taking place.
• Start and end dates
   CPT is typically authorized only for the dates listed on your I-20.
• Hours per week
   Helps determine whether your CPT is considered full-time or part-time.
• Your day-to-day duties
   Used to show how your work relates to your major and supports your academic program.
• Position title
   Standard information that helps describe the role.
• Salary or compensation details
   May be needed for school records and for certain reporting requirements.
• Your supervisor’s name and contact information
   Often requested in case the school needs to verify details.
• Contact information for the individual responsible for the internship program (if applicable)
   Sometimes required if there is a specific program coordinator.
  

If you notice that some of this information is missing from your offer letter, you can usually email the HR representative or your contact at the company and ask for an updated letter that includes the missing details. In some situations, your school may accept a supplemental document, such as an email from the employer, but it is usually best to confirm this with your international office before relying on it.

Once your offer letter contains the information your school requires, your next step is to submit your CPT request through your university’s established process. This might be an online form, a paper form, or a combination of both. In many cases, you can find the right page by searching your university name plus “CPT application” on the school website or in a search engine.

What happens after you submit your CPT application?

After you submit your CPT request, your Designated School Official (DSO) will generally review your documents, check your eligibility, and determine whether your proposed employment meets the requirements. If everything is in order and your school approves, your DSO will normally authorize CPT in SEVIS for the specific employer, dates, and location.

Your DSO will then issue a new Form I-20 that lists your CPT authorization on the second page. It is a good idea to save this I-20 carefully, since it may be useful for future applications, including OPT.

Once your CPT has been approved, many schools also require you to register for a related internship or co-op course for credit. Since you are still considered a full-time student while on CPT, you generally need to meet the minimum credit requirements each term to maintain your F-1 status. Your school’s international office or academic advisor can usually clarify how many credits you need and which course to enroll in.

Key pitfalls to watch out for

As you navigate CPT, it may help to keep a few common pitfalls in mind.

First, your school’s CPT instructions are usually your most important resource. Even though federal guidance comes from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), each university is responsible for applying those rules to its own programs. Because of that, requirements can vary, and it is usually safest to treat your university’s CPT page and your DSO’s advice as your primary reference.

You can also review the official federal overview of CPT on DHS’s Study in the States website, which provides general information and definitions. This article includes a link to that resource at the end.

Here are a few additional cautions that many students find helpful:

• Multi-semester co-ops and internships
   Some co-ops or internships may last for more than one semester. In those cases, many schools require separate CPT authorizations for each term. Often, this means applying for CPT for the first semester, waiting until later in that term, and then submitting a new CPT request for the next semester. It is usually important to have the updated CPT I-20 for each term before you start working in that time period.
  
• Program start and end dates on your I-20
   CPT is usually only available while your program is active, between the start and end dates printed on your I-20. This becomes especially important near your expected graduation date. If you need to delay graduation, your school may have a process to extend your program end date. Students often need to complete that extension before requesting CPT for a later term, so it is wise to plan ahead with your advisor and DSO.
  
• Full-time CPT and OPT eligibility
   As mentioned earlier, current guidance generally indicates that 12 months or more of full-time CPT at one education level may make you ineligible for OPT at that same level. This is not usually the case for part-time CPT, but the impact can be significant, so it is a good idea to discuss your long-term plan with your DSO before committing to long periods of full-time CPT. They can help you understand how your choices now might affect future OPT options.

Final thoughts and resources

The CPT and OPT processes can feel confusing at first, but you do not have to figure them out alone. Your school’s international office, your academic advisor, and official government resources are all there to help you make informed decisions about your study and work options.

For an official federal overview of CPT, you may want to start with:

• DHS Study in the States: F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
   https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/sevis-help-hub/student-records/fm-student-employment/f-1-curricular-practical-training-cpt
  

This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Policies and interpretations can change over time. Always consult your university’s international office or a qualified immigration attorney for guidance on your specific situation.

As an international student, it’s essential to understand Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) if you’re interested in securing an internship while completing your degree or pursuing a full-time job after graduation. In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between CPT and OPT, explain how to apply for CPT, and highlight common pitfalls to avoid during the CPT application process.

In this article we’ll go over:

• Key differences between CPT and OPT
• CPT application Overview
• CPT Pitfalls to watch for

CPT vs OPT:

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) both offer international students opportunities to gain practical work experience in their field of study, but there are significant differences between the two.

CPT is an integral part of a student’s academic curriculum, meaning it can only be used while you’re still pursuing your degree. It must be authorized by your school’s Designated School Official (DSO) before you begin work and it requires securing an internship or co-op position in advance. While on CPT you are  limited to a specific employer and timeframe. Importantly, one year or more of full-time CPT disqualifies students from applying for OPT later on, so it’s crucial to manage your CPT usage wisely.

WARNING: You are only permitted to work within the dates and for the employer specified on your CPT authorized I-20.

WARNING: One year of full-time CPT eliminates your eligibility for OPT.

OPT, on the other hand, does not require a job offer prior to authorization and is not tied to a specific employer. OPT is authorized by USCIS through an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), allowing you to work for any employer, as long as the job relates to your major field of study. OPT can be used either before or after graduation, and students are eligible for up to 12 months of OPT at each higher education level (e.g., 12 months after a bachelor’s, then another 12 after a master’s). If your degree is in an eligible STEM field and you work for an E-Verify employer, you may also qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension after your initial 12 months of post-completion OPT.

For example, if you completed your post-completion OPT but later pursue a Master’s or PhD, you are eligible for another 12 months of post-completion OPT. Additionally, if you completed your undergraduate degree in a STEM field, you may be eligible for a two-year extension of post-completion OPT after your first year. But we’ll cover more about that in a separate article!

When should you apply for CPT and what should you expect? 

So, your hard work has finally paid off! All those long hours and late nights preparing for that technical interview at your dream company were worth it. You’ve just received an offer letter for your summer internship. But now, you need to apply for your CPT, and you are not sure how to start. Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!

H1BConnect Tip: Start your application as soon as you receive your job offer, or as early as possible! Since multiple stakeholders are involved in the process, be sure to allow enough time for them to complete their parts.

First, it’s important to understand that the CPT application process varies by school, and some institutions may have additional requirements for their students, such as completing a course or maintaining a minimum GPA. We’ve listed commonly required fields in the table below:

If you notice that any required information is missing from your offer letter, don’t worry! Simply reach out to the HR representative (or your point of contact at the company) and request a new offer letter with the missing details. In some cases, you can provide an additional document, like an email, that includes the missing information — but be sure to double-check this with your university. It’s important to complete this step before moving forward!

Now that you have an offer letter with all the necessary information, we can move on to the next step: submitting the actual CPT application to your school. As mentioned earlier, this is where the process varies depending on your university. The good news is that a quick Google search should help! Just search for your university’s name plus “CPT application”, and you’ll find the resources and application process specific to your school.

H1BConnect Tip: To find your school’s resources on CPT simply google “[Insert your school’s name] CPT application”.

Once you’ve applied through your school’s established process, your Designated School Official (DSO) will review your application and determine your eligibility for CPT. As long as you follow the application guidelines and provide all the required information, your DSO will authorize your CPT in SEVIS for the specified employer. They will then print and sign your new Form I-20, which will include CPT authorization. Be sure to save this I-20 — you’ll need it for your future OPT application. This is a summary of what happens behind the scenes – for this step, all you need to do is wait for your new I-20.

WARNING: You are required to save all issued Form I-20s, as they will be necessary when applying for OPT.

Now that you have your I-20 with approved CPT, it’s important to register for your school’s assigned internship or co-op credits. Since you are still technically enrolled as a student, you must meet the minimum credit requirements for the semester to maintain your visa status. While this process will be explained in more detail in your school’s resources, we want to ensure you’re aware of this important step!

WARNING: You are required to maintain a full course load,  even while CPT is authorized.

Key Pitfalls to Watch Out for!

So far in this article, we’ve discussed four warnings and shared two H1BConnect Tips. In this section, we’ll summarize those warnings for your convenience and highlight additional pitfalls and important cautions to keep in mind.

The first thing to remember is to always follow your school’s CPT instructions first, since they implement the federal rules for your specific program. For the official federal overview, you can also check DHS’s Study in the States CPT page (linked below).

Here are some additional important cautions we haven’t discussed yet. Sometimes, co-op or internship opportunities can extend over two semesters. In such cases, you must submit two separate CPT applications but not at the same time. First, apply for the initial term, and later in the semester, apply for the second term. Just make sure you have the CPT-authorized I-20 for each term before starting the respective period.

WARNING: If your co-op or internship extends for more than one semester you must file separate CPT applications.

The next thing to watch out for is the Program Start/End Date section on your I-20, as CPT is only available within those dates. This becomes especially important as you approach your graduation date. If you need to delay your graduation, be sure to follow your school’s process to update it before requesting CPT to ensure you remain eligible.

WARNING: CPT is only available while you are pursuing your degree, so it must occur before the end date on your Form I-20.

        Lastly, one year of full-time CPT eliminates your eligibility for OPT, but this doesn’t apply to part-time CPT. As long as you maintain a full course load during the semester and meet all the requirements for CPT authorization, you should be in the clear!

WARNING: One year of full-time CPT eliminates your eligibility for OPT. This is not the case for part-time CPT as long as it continues to meet all requirements for CPT authorization.

This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Always consult your university’s international office or an immigration attorney for guidance on your specific situation.