CPT and OPT are provisions meant to enhance skills and make students more
competitive in the job market. These rules and guidelines are set by U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS) work closely with the school’s international student office
to ensure proper compliance and authorization.
CPT (Curricular Practical Training): CPT is a type of work authorization that allows
international students on F-1 student visas to work off-campus in a field related to their
studies that a sponsoring employer offers through cooperative agreements with your college
or university. To be eligible for CPT, the employment must be an integral part of the
curriculum and must be approved by the student’s Designated School Official (DSO) and
listed on the student’s I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Student Status).
As an alternative to optional practical training, CPT must be integral to your program of
study.
CPT can be full-time and is not restricted by a weekly 20-hour work limit.
Points to be noted:
-CPT must be completed before graduating.
– CPT can be part-time (20 hours or less a week) or full-time (20 hours or more a week).
-Although, if you work full-time for 12 months in CPT, you will lose your eligibility for
OPT.
-Only certain employers participate in CPT.
OPT (Optional Practical Training): OPT on the other hand is not employer specific (no
cooperative agreements with your college or university) and is a period of temporary work
authorization for F-1 international students that allows them to work off-campus in their
field of study after completing their degree program.
There are two types of OPT:
Pre-completion OPT: This allows students to work part-time or full-time in their field of
study before completing their degree. It’s typically used for gaining practical experience
while still in school. Any time spent in OPT pre-completion will count toward the total 12-
month period.
Post-completion OPT: This allows students to work full-time after completing their degree.
The duration of post-completion OPT is typically up to 12 months, at least one academic year
prior to applying and having a qualifying degree program.
How to apply for OPT:
1)The student must request that their academic institution’s designated school official
(DSO) recommend them for OPT. The DSO will endorse the student’s I‑20 and makes
the appropriate notation in the SEVIS.
2) After which the student must properly file Form I-765 – Application for Employment
Authorization, with USCIS, including the fee and supporting documents.
Certain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degree holders may be
eligible for an additional 24-month extension, known as the STEM OPT.
Certain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degree holders may be
eligible for an additional 24-month extension, known as the STEM OPT.
