International Students
Procedures for Participation in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for Students in F-1 Status
Definition of Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
The Citizenship & Immigration Services - CIS defines "Curricular Practical Training (CPT)" as employment which is an integral or important part of your curriculum, including:
or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.
According to the CIS, the word "required" does not always limit this type of practical training only to work experiences, which are required parts of the curriculum. This clarification is discussed below in more detail.
You will need to fill out the CPT Recommendation Form to start your CPT
What is Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?
Curricular Practical Training is a part of the immigration regulations of the United States that enable students in F-1 status to be employed off-campus before they complete their academic program. F-1 students in F-1 status who obtain authorization for CPT on their Form I-20 can work off-campus while they are enrolled in classes and/or during their summer vacation period.
What are the Benefits of Curricular Practical Training for Students in F-1 Status?
CPT is a wonderful opportunity to work off-campus, earn credit/units without attending class, gain experience in the student's major field of study and get paid legally. In most cases, off-campus employment pays more than on-campus employment.
Is Participation In a Cooperative Education Program Treated as Employment Under Immigration Regulations?
YES Cooperative Education is treated as employment. In order for international students to participate in cooperative education they must comply with immigration procedures for obtaining employment approval.
Job Eligibility Requirements
To be considered Curricular Practical Training (CPT), the work must not only be related to your major field of study but must also be an integral or important part of your studies. Training which is required by your degree program always meets the requirements for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), regardless of whether or not you receive academic credit for your work. Training which is not required by your degree program may meet the requirements for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) if you receive academic credit for the employment experience and if it is an important part of your studies. If you have a training opportunity, which involves employment, check with your International Student Coordinator and/or department Program Advisor, to determine if it qualifies as Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
What Are The Student Eligibility Requirements for CPT?
It is important to emphasize that F-1 students are not eligible to begin cooperative education employment until the International Student Coordinator has authorized CPT on page 3 of the student's I-20. Furthermore, students should work only within the dates stated on page 3 of the I-20 and only for the employer stated on page 3.
An F-1 status student is eligible for CPT if s/he:
- Has been in F-1 status for the previous nine (9) consecutive months
- Has continuously pursued a full-course of study
- Has complied with immigration transfer procedures if s/he has changed schools in the United States
- Has complied with all immigration regulations regarding employment if s/he has been employed in the United States
- Has cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and is not on academic probation
- Has enrolled in Career Development Co-op class for the quarter in which s/he plans to be employed off-campus
- Has met with their academic advisor and the career center regarding program requirements
- Has obtained an offer of employment in writing that meets immigration requirements.
Employment Which Is a Required Part of Your Degree Program.
If (1) you are maintaining lawful F-1 status, and (2) the proposed employment is a required part of your studies, you may apply for permission to engage in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) whenever your program requires your participation, even if it is immediately upon beginning your studies.
Employment Which Is Not a Required Part of Your Degree Program.
In order to be eligible to apply for permission to work in a job which is not a required part of your study program, you must (1) be in lawful F-1 status and (2) have been a full-time student for at least nine (9) months
How are the Beginning and Ending Dates of CPT employment determined?
As CPT is based upon enrollment in an academic class, the period of authorized CPT employment generally is controlled by the beginning date of an academic semester. Generally, speaking, CPT employment may begin no earlier than the first day of class in a semester in which the student is enrolled in the COOP class and must end no later than the last day of the same semester.
The employer and/or the COOP advisor may authorize a beginning date that is after the first official day of class and may authorize an ending date earlier than the last day of class of the academic semester.
Do Students Have to be Enrolled Full-time During Semesters They Have Been Approved for CPT?
Students MUST be enrolled in a full-time unit load during each Fall and Spring semester they have been authorized for curricular practical training. The units a student earns for COOP are counted in determining full-time enrollment.
During the summer vacation period students need only enroll in the CO-OP class and do not have to be enrolled full-time.
Part-Time vs. Full-Time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Part-Time Training
Employment for 20 hours or less per week while you are also enrolled for classes is considered "part-time" Curricular Practical Training (CPT). The employment authorization printed on the back of your Form I-20 should therefore specify permission to engage in "part-time" training and you must be careful to limit your work to no more than 20 hours per week. There is no limitation upon the length of time you may participate in part-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) but you must be simultaneously enrolled in order to maintain lawful F-1 status, and you will only be able to get permission on a semester-by-semester basis.
Full-Time Training
Employment for more than 20 hours per week is considered "full-time" Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and the employment authorization on your I-20 should, in this case, specify permission to participate in "full-time" training. While in full-time training, you need not be enrolled for classes in order to maintain lawful F-1 status. There is no limitation upon the length of time you may participate in full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) but if you participate for twelve (12) months or more, you will not be eligible for post-completion practical training – Optional Practical Training - OPT (see next paragraph).
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Eligibility for Optional Practical Training
It is important that you understand that if you participate in twelve (12) months or more of "full-time" Curricular Practical Training (CPT), you lose eligibility to apply for twelve (12) months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) after you complete your studies. Participation in "part-time" training programs does not affect your eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
What are the Application and Authorization Procedures?
It cannot be emphasized enough that students who apply for CPT must not begin the CPT employment until the employment is authorized in writing on page 3 of the student’s I-20. The authorization is valid only if the International Student Coordinator enters it on the I-20. Also, students may work only within the dates authorized on the I-20.
Do I Need To Do Anything With USCIS To Get Approval For CPT?
No, students do not need to submit anything to CIS and will not receive any approval or notification from CIS. The International Student Coordinator is authorized to approve CPT.
Employment Eligibility Verification
When you begin work, you and your employer must complete a form entitled "Employment Eligibility Verification" (Form I-9), which the employer retains. The I-9 must be updated each time you receive a renewal of your work permission. In order to complete the I-9 the employer may request a copy of your I-20, passport and I-94.
Social Security and Other Taxes
In general, F-1 students who have been in the U. S. less than five years are exempt from Social Security (F.I.C.A.) taxes. Your earnings are subject to applicable federal, state and local taxes. Students must file a tax return on or before April 15 each year, which will determine if any of the withheld taxes can be refunded.
When May I Begin Working?
Students must not begin work until the International Student Coordinator enters the CPT authorization on page 3 of the I-20. Also, students must not begin working before the beginning date entered by the advisor on the CPT authorization on page 3.
When Must I Stop Working
Students must stop working after the ending date entered by the International Student Coordinator on page 3 of the I-20.
May I Change Employers During the Authorized CPT?
CPT and COOP is authorized for a specific employer. Students may not change employers during the authorized period unless they complete the entire application and authorization process again, including authorization of the new employer on page 3 of your I-20.
A Note of Caution
While CIS regulations provide a variety of opportunities for you to be employed during your time in F-1 status, working improperly or without authorization is a serious violation of your status. You should therefore consult with your International Student Coordinator before taking up any employment. It is your responsibility to comply with all CIS regulations, which apply to F-1 students. Your International Student Coordinator has responsibility for advising and counseling you regarding your responsibilities. If you fail to comply with your responsibilities, you may not be eligible for benefits normally granted to F-1 students.
Further Information
Additional information on F-1 employment is available from your International Student Coordinator