/Office of Global Affairs
Visa and Immigration Services

Important Update Regarding Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

September 9, 2026

Dear F-1 Student,

Visa and Immigration Services (VIS) is writing to make you aware of an important federal update that may affect eligibility for Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

What has changed?

On August 12 and August 24, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued guidance to universities regarding the authorization of CPT.

CPT allows eligible F-1 students to participate in internships, practicums, research, and other practical training experiences that are an integral part of an established curriculum. 

What does this mean for Stony Brook students?

VIS is reviewing Stony Brook's CPT policies and working with academic departments to determine how internship, practicum, research, and other fieldwork experiences are incorporated into individual degree programs.

CPT requests based solely on an optional or elective practical training experience may not be eligible for authorization under the new federal guidance.

Students whose programs require an internship, practicum, research experience, or other practical training for completion of the degree, may continue to be eligible for CPT, provided all other CPT requirements are met.

Because degree requirements vary considerably across Stony Brook's academic programs, CPT eligibility must be evaluated based on the requirements of your specific program and the nature of the proposed practical training.

If you already have CPT authorization

If VIS has already authorized your CPT and the authorization appears on your Form I-20, you may continue your practical training according to the employer, location, dates, and part-time/full-time authorization listed on your I-20.

Do not continue employment beyond your authorized CPT end date or make changes to your employment without first contacting VIS.

If you have a pending or upcoming CPT request

If you have submitted a CPT request that has not yet been approved, VIS will review your request under the current federal guidance. We may need additional information from you or your academic department before determining whether CPT can be authorized.

If you are considering an internship or other off-campus practical training opportunity for a future semester, please do not assume that enrolling in an internship or research course alone will make the experience eligible for CPT. Receiving academic credit does not, by itself, establish CPT eligibility under SEVP's guidance.

In accordance with SEVP’s recent guidance, CPT may only be authorized when the practical training is required for all students and the degree or program cannot be completed without it.

Remember: You may not begin any off-campus employment or practical training until VIS has authorized CPT and you have received an updated Form I-20 showing the authorization.

What happens next?

VIS recognizes that internships, research, and other experiential learning opportunities are an important part of many students’ academic and professional development. We are working closely with academic departments to understand how these experiences fit within Stony Brook’s curriculum so that we can appropriately authorize CPT while remaining in compliance with federal immigration requirements.

To help you understand the updated guidance and how it may affect your CPT eligibility, VIS will be hosting CPT workshops to review the changes, explain the eligibility requirements, and answer your questions.

View Upcoming CPT Workshops & Register

We will continue to provide updates as our review progresses. In the meantime, if you are considering CPT for a future semester, we strongly encourage you to attend an upcoming workshop before making commitments related to an internship or other off-campus practical training opportunity.

Thank you for your patience as we navigate these changes.

Sincerely,
Visa and Immigration Services
Stony Brook University