Navigating the CPT and OPT Process:
Part 1 - CPT

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. CPT requires securing an internship or co-op position in advance and islimited 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. Fortunately, most students will find that two full semesters and a summer of CPT is more than enough to gain valuable experience and enhance their resume!

   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 an additional 12 months of OPT when advancing to a higher level of education.

    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!

   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. However, there are basic requirements that every CPT application must meet. Let’s take a look at those.

    The first thing you’ll need to begin the process is your offer letter, which should include the following information:

   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 thata 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.

   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.

   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!

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 that your school’s CPT resources are your greatest ally as you navigate this process. Every school has its own specific requirements and procedures to guide you, so be sure to review them carefully! Homeland Security also provides useful information on CPT, but we still recommend relying primarily on your school’s guidance.

   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.

   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.

Conclusion

Both CPT and OPT offer excellent opportunities for international students to gain valuable work experience, but understanding the key differences and applying at the right time is crucial for success. Make sure to check with your school for specific requirements and keep track of your visa-related deadlines.