Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

• Eligibility & Applying

  Curricular Practical Training

  Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is employment that is an integral part of a student's established curriculum. The primary purpose of CPT is to achieve a specific academic objective in accordance with your academic program. It may not be used for the purpose of gaining of additional income. CPT cannot be authorized after course requirements, thesis/project or dissertation are completed. Authorization for CPT is given in the form of an I-20 endorsed by your Visa & Immigration Services  Advisor.

  • CPT can be part time during the academic year or full time during summer sessions, but may not run past the first day of the subsequent term of study. Part-time is defined as being 20 hours or less per week and full time as 21 or more hours per week.
  • If you are authorized for part-time CPT, your combined on-campus employment and CPT hours cannot exceed 20 hours of work per week (unless you are G5), while school is in session (this includes Teaching Assistant, Graduate Assistant and Research Assistant positions).
  • Full-time CPT may only be possible during the academic year for G5 students who are working on thesis/dissertation research.
  • An accumulation of 12 months of full-time CPT makes you ineligible for OPT for that degree level.
  • In addition, it's important to know that USCIS may count full-time CPT “cumulative” with full-time OPT employment, thus deeming you ineligible for future immigration benefits (i.e. H-1B, PR, etc.) if you exceed 12 months.
  • According to 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10) "A student may be authorized 12 months of practical training, and becomes eligible for another 12 months of practical training when he or she changes to a higher educational level."

  
  Eligibility for CPT:

  • Attendance at a CPT Workshop. 
    • UPDATE: In response to concerns over the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, the CPT & Pre-Completion OPT Workshops have been cancelled. In lieu of attending a workshop, click to review the  CPT & Pre-Completion OPT Presentation or  recorded webinar.
  • Enrollment in an approved internship course for each semester you will request CPT authorization (including Winter and Summer terms). The course may be mandatory for all students in the degree program or may be optional, but must be in the major area of study and must apply toward completion of the degree requirements.
  • If you have completed all required course work except thesis or dissertation, your CPT must contribute data to your thesis or dissertation.
  • Employment must be directly related to your major field of study.
  • Enrolled as a full-time F-1 student for at least one academic year and maintaining valid F-1 status.
  • Maintaining good academic standing, have no pending I grades from prior semesters, and a satisfactory GPA:
    • Undergraduate Student GPA must be > 2.0
    • Graduate Student GPA must be > 3.0

  
  Application Procedures for CPT:

  1. Register for the approved internship course for the semester in which you will request CPT authorization.
  2. Complete both forms within the Curricular Practical Training request in  accessVIS.

  ● Upload the Employment Offer Letter: Signed offer letter printed on official letterhead addressing the following points:

  ● Description of your specific duties
  ● Dates of employment (begin and end dates)
  ● Number of hours of work per week
  ● Physical address of the employment (do not use P.O. Box)
  ● Name of your supervisor
  ● View Template Letter

  Allow 5-7 business days for processing. If your CPT request is approved, a new I-20 will be issued and you will be contacted via email.

• CPT Workshops

  CPT and Pre-Completion OPT Virtual Workshop Schedule:

  This workshop will provide detailed information regarding the U.S. regulations and application procedures associated with Pre Completion OPT and CPT. Attendance and/or review of the CPT workshop is required for any F-1 Student who wishes to obtain work authorization to engage in Curricular Practical Training/Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training.

  Tuesday, August 31st	10:00 AM EST	RSVP here
  Monday, October 4th	2:00 PM EST	RSVP here
  Wednesday, November 10th	10:00 AM EST	RSVP here

   

   

   

   

   

  Watch our most recent CPT webinar:
  
  

  What's the difference between CPT and OPT?  

  CPT vs. OPT

    

• FAQ

  FAQ

  • I have just been offered an internship opportunity. Can I begin working right away?
    No. You must apply for CPT at least ten business days before you wish to begin work. You must have been approved for and have received an updated I-20 signed by an International Student Advisor and endorsed for CPT before you may begin work.
  • My degree program does not require an internship, does this mean I cannot participate in an off campus internship?
    Not necessarily. If you have a job offer in his/her field of study, but the work is not required for you to make academic progress, you may not qualify for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), but Pre-completion OPT may be an option. Speak with your VIS Advisor.
  • Can I use my current CPT authorization for another internship since it has not yet expired?
    No. A CPT authorization is a job-specific authorization, so you must complete and a new CPT Request in accessVIS if you wish to extend or add additional employment.
  • Can I do full-time CPT and still be eligible for the full 12 months of optional practical training (OPT)?
    Pursuant to 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i): " ...Students who have received one year or more of full time curricular practical training (CPT) are ineligible for post-completion academic training (OPT)." 
    
    It is important to note that USCIS may count full-time CPT "cumulative" with full-time OPT citing 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10), which states: " A student may be authorized 12 months of practical training, and becomes eligible for another 12 months of practical training when he or she changes to a higher educational level ," without distinguishing OPT and CPT.  Thus, if you exceed 12 months of practical training in the aggregate, you may be ineligible for future immigration benefits. 
    
    Part-time CPT does not impact OPT eligibility.
  • What should I do if I quit my training before the original anticipated CPT authorization end date?
    You should contact your International Student Advisor immediately so that we can amend your authorization dates. This is especially important when you were authorized for full-time CPT, so that this time will not count against your eligibility for optional practical training (OPT).
  • Do I need to submit proof of enrollment for the past academic year?
    No, your VIS Advisor will verify your enrollment history through the university system. However, if you recently transferred to Stony Brook and wish to begin work on CPT prior to having been enrolled here for one academic year, you will need to provide us with transcripts from your previous school to show that you have fulfilled the enrollment requirement.
  • I work at the library for five hours a week and have been offered an internship off campus. Am I eligible to apply for CPT?
    While school is in session you may only engage in a maximum of 20 hours of employment per week, regardless of whether you engaged in employment on or off campus. So if you meet the eligibility requirements for CPT, you may be authorized for part-time CPT for an additional 15 hours. However, the total employment while school is in session may not exceed 20 hours per week (graduate assistantships count as your 20 hours of permissible work per week).
  • Do I need to apply for CPT for an unpaid internship?
    Yes! You should apply for work for authorization for any internship, even if you will not be paid.
  • May I volunteer for an off-campus organization without CPT authorization?
    Even if you are not being paid for work you are performing off campus, you may still require CPT authorization. "Volunteer" work is considered work for which no one would be paid and is charitable in nature, such as helping in a soup kitchen or walking dogs at an animal shelter. If you are working for a company, and doing work in your field of study, this would be considered "unpaid employment," and would indeed require work authorization such as CPT.
  • How do I know that I am authorized for CPT? And when may I begin work?
    You will receive an e-mail message that your updated Form I-20 has been issued. Prior to beginning your training you must be in possession of this updated Form I-20, which will be properly endorsed with the CPT authorization on page two. Employment before or after your authorized dates of training will jeopardize your F-1 status.
  • Do I have to take classes while on CPT?
    Yes. Enrollment in an approved internship course is required. The course may be mandatory for all students in the degree program or may be optional, but must be in the major area of study and must apply toward completion of the degree requirements.
  • Is there a minimum credit requirement for the independent study and/ or internship course?
    You must be enrolled in an approved internship course for at least 1 credit.
  • I have been enrolled as a full-time student for the past two years but in H4 status and just recently changed to F-1 student status. Am I eligible to apply for CPT?
    Yes. As long as you are currently in F-1 status and will maintain this status throughout your CPT, and have been enrolled as a full-time student for at least one academic year, you are eligible to apply for CPT.
  • Do I need authorization to work/intern for a company located abroad, while I'm present in the US?

    Based on regulatory guidance and the true definition of CPT, we advise against students participating in virtual internships through foreign companies while they are physically present in the U.S. because this may jeopardize their immigration status and access to future immigration benefits.

    Students who wish to pursue this type of employment should speak with an immigration lawyer.