CPT for International Students Explained! (Best Tips To Get Curricular Practical Training in 2023!)
Learn how to get CPT (Curricular Practical Training) as an F1 visa international student in 2021, as well as the best tips to get a CPT internship or a multi-semester co-op job opportunity.
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Overview of CPT
CPT is considered as an employment that is INTEGRAL to an F1 student's academic program of study. The CPT must provide training or work experience that is needed to complete your degree otherwise it must be a work experience that you could earn academic course credit for. It is expected that the CPT should not prolong the time to completion of the F1 visa students' degree program. Some examples of CPT are internships and multi-semester coops, both of which could be paid or unpaid and done off-campus at an employer's location or while working remotely at another location.
Benefits of CPT
CPT is a great way to get work experience in your field of study prior to graduation and is also a great opportunity to build and grow your professional network outside of your university. Like you might have heard, sometimes it's not what you know but who you know.
Eligibility for CPT:
To be eligible for CPT you must have been enrolled full time for at least 2 long semesters in an active F1 status. The only exception here are students who have programs that require an immediate participation in CPT within the first year of study. You must also have a job offer that is directly related to your major. If the CPT is not required to graduate, you must earn course credit during the semester that the internship is held with slight exceptions depending on your university.
How to Apply for CPT
Generally applying for CPT is a 2-step process. In the first step you will need to obtain the approval of your academic advisor. This requires you to provide an employment offer letter from a US employer describing the nature of your work. Your academic advisor will then determine if this work is related to your field of study and would provide a written notice of approval.
With this approval, you can then complete the second step, where your designated school official (DSO) would provide an I-20 endorsed for CPT. This endorsed I-20 is your legal employment authorization to work temporarily in the US with the specified CPT employer.
Limitations of CPT
There are two ways you can use CPT; these are part-time and full time. Part time CPT is defined as 20 hours or less per week while full-time CPT is defined as more than 20 hours per week.
Note that if you complete 12 months of full time CPT, you become ineligible for OPT. On the other hand, part-time CPT is not capped, so once you meet the eligibility requirements for CPT, you can work part time for several months.
Furthermore, with CPT, any changes in your employment requires a new CPT authorization and must be reported to avoid violating your status. You are also required to pass the course for your CPT authorization, otherwise you will be violating your status.
Best Tips to Get CPT Jobs
1. Start researching your industry early on
2. Don't rely solely on online job applications
3. Where possible, accept unpaid internship jobs if you can't get a paid internship
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Пікірлер: 84
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This was very helpful, thank you so much!
@SojourningScholar
Жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful! Tell a friend to tell a friend!!
video is quite clear, thankyou so much.
@SojourningScholar
Жыл бұрын
Glad it helped
Great video bro thank you
@SojourningScholar
2 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it
This video is very helpful, thank you so much
@SojourningScholar
5 ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
Very Informative
@SojourningScholar
2 жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
you make exellent content brother . i'm looking for a job in advance my first semester stars 1 september 2021
@SojourningScholar
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks, glad to be of help. We've got you covered with great tips coming. Stay tuned for more!
@SHEKHAR_GT_Fan
3 жыл бұрын
Which university and where are you from ? Cause even my start date is 1st September
Yes
@SojourningScholar
2 жыл бұрын
Sure thing!
Lets say I travel to my home country during thanksgiving after my first semester, and I spend around 25 daya here. I will be back to the US for spring semester. Will I be eligible for CPT?
Hi bro,I wanted to ask whether doing full time CPT of less than 6 months would dimnish our available OPT of 12 months+ 24. Like would they be deducted from the 24 months. I wanted to do summer internships and was confused. Can you please let me know.
After two full semesters of study and four months of internship-CPT, is it possible to complete 40 hours of CPT in the following semester when the program is still active?
Hi Appreciated your efforts in making such valued vlogs. 1)when can I apply for OPT after 9months of CPT in my Associate Degree.
@SojourningScholar
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks! You can apply for CPT after completing an academic year (which is ~9 months of study in most programs
@ruthwikdatta2709
2 жыл бұрын
@@SojourningScholar Thanks for the info, when can I apply for OPT during my 2y associate degree prog CS.
Great Video. Your videos help me a lot. I have some questions. I finished my associates degree in engineering on May 2021. I tranfer my credit to another university. I got accepted and I have my new visa. But I having economics problems. Can I apply for OPT or CPT even though, I have not study in that school for a year? I have been studying and maintaining status since August 2018
@SojourningScholar
2 жыл бұрын
Glad to be of help! Generally, to be eligible for OPT and CPT you should have completed 1 academic year at the university. However, depending on your program, you might be eligible for CPT within your first year of studies. So find out from your academic advisor if an early CPT is possible for you. Also, keep in mind that you can start working on campus within your first semester. So, that is something to consider if other options don't work.
Hi, I’m an international student and I will begin my professional flight training with a school in Florida and whilst being on an F-1 visa. Also, upon completion I will work as a flight instructor for the school which lasts for a year. I know this might be too early but I would like to get a permanent job and hopefully be sponsored with a H-1b visa. Do you have any tips on this?
@SojourningScholar
3 жыл бұрын
Hello Chibuike! It's never too early to start planning your career after finishing your program. You're on the right path! I've got lots of career related content coming on this channel. Stay tuned to a video dropping tomorrow. In the meantime, check out this video on getting H1B as an F1 student: kzread.info/dash/bejne/hJWd0tumoZmeerw.html
I really enjoy your videos, is there anyway I can reach out to you directly to have conversation?
@SojourningScholar
Жыл бұрын
Email is found in our KZread about page
I already work remotely for an American company, is there a way to keep working for them and be able to apply for CPT when I start my master degree?
@SojourningScholar
3 жыл бұрын
Typically, you become eligible for CPT after completing your 1st academic year of studies in your master's program. However, depending on the nature of your program, you might be able to obtain CPT sooner. So it's best to find out from your prospective masters program what the CPT eligibility is.
Hi Most of my rejection is that the employer rejects they can give work authorisation when we say that we are authorised to work on CPT
@SojourningScholar
4 ай бұрын
That's where you've got to be strategic in identifying employers and leveraging a network to bypass the hiring wall.
HI! As an international student visa f1 with a SSN from working on campus. What are the benefits? Can we apply for a student loan ?
@SojourningScholar
2 жыл бұрын
Check out our video on SSN for international students.
I will be starting my pre nursing degree by fall. Can I continue to work with my CPT from the second year down to my final year?
@SojourningScholar
3 жыл бұрын
Yes you can, as long as you work part-time CPT.
As a chemistry graduate student, is it possible to do a summer internship in a data science position?
@SojourningScholar
2 жыл бұрын
If the job position is related to your course work, that could be possible.
Hi I’m an international graduate law student on f-1 in the US, I have a part time work offer as an attorney. Can I get the CPT work authorization?
@SojourningScholar
3 жыл бұрын
Yes you can. Look into applying for CPT after you've completed 1 year of studies.
The 2 semesters enrollment requirement means I have to have completed 2 semesters in the program or just have to have been a full time, F-1 student for 2 semesters? I graduated college but I might go back to school and just wanted to know if I could start CPT right away with the new school.
@SojourningScholar
3 жыл бұрын
The requirement for the CPT is to have completed 2 semesters of enrollment as an F1 student.
@lizzysinkala3537
Жыл бұрын
@Sojourning Scholar hi can I chat with you in F1 status I need advice
Can you apply for OPT or CPT in a language school (ESL)?
@Bazggir
Жыл бұрын
I guess , No,
Thank you for this valuable information, it would be great help if you could answer a question of mine on CPT. If a student does 4 months of part-time CPT, does that mean they have done 2 months worth of fulltime employment and hence used up 2 months from their OPT already? Thank you
@SojourningScholar
2 жыл бұрын
No that rule applies only for Pre-Completion OPT. For CPT it does not apply. 2 months of full time CPT does not affect your OPT at all. But 12 months of full-time CPT will affect your OPT.
Can I do two part time cpt (both 10 hours max) and still be able to be enrolled for classes in a semester or quarter at the same time?
@SojourningScholar
2 жыл бұрын
If school is in session, you will be capped at 20 hours per week for both.
I have a question. I will be graduating next December ‘22. I have a job offer this summer to my internship. Can I do part time CPT during the summer and finish my degree online while working part time CPT?
@SojourningScholar
2 жыл бұрын
That is possible, but will depend on the requirements of your degree program.
Hello. I am an f1 student studying MBA but my background is on occupational HSE . I am available to work. I will appreciate if you can assist me
To work in CPT do I need an EAD card to show employer? if needed can I apply EAD after 9m of study?
@SojourningScholar
2 жыл бұрын
No EAD card required for CPT only for OPT.
Can I do part time CPT during the semester and full time CPT in the summer?
@SojourningScholar
Жыл бұрын
Yes, that's possible.
Hi bro, If an international student has 24 months academic programme and do 11 months of full time CPT and than switches to 13 months of part time CPT to avoid any consequences for obtaining approval of OPT. Is it valid ? or there would be chances of rejection for approval of OPT.
@SojourningScholar
9 ай бұрын
Yes, as long as you don't exceed 12 months of full-time CPT in one calendar year, OPT remains unaffected.
I am an international student and I was told I will have to work on campus for a year before I can be allowed to work off campus. How true is that?
@SojourningScholar
Жыл бұрын
We have a video on Working as an international student in the US. Check it out to learn more.
Am i eligible for CPT for an online program from the US?
@SojourningScholar
Жыл бұрын
Only if you meet the eligibility requirements as defined by your program
Hi I am an F1 student looking for a CPT.
@SojourningScholar
5 ай бұрын
Have you seen our career guide eBook for F1 students? (70% OFF Limited time offer): sojourningscholar.com/career-guide
Hello, I am looking for CPT job in USA. I have studied bsc nurse in back home and now I am studying Master in Public in USA. Will you please help me to get CPT job. Thankyou
@SojourningScholar
2 жыл бұрын
You can contact me on info[at]sojourningscholar.com so I can learn more about how to help you.
Bro please how can I talk to you. I can't book for my EA even though I have sent an email of approval. Because I had chosen 2date before I received the email of confirmation. Now I want to book for my EA and I cant
@SojourningScholar
2 жыл бұрын
Hi Hope, I am not familiar with this type of issue. I'll recommend you contact the Consulate directly.
@hopeimoh4208
2 жыл бұрын
@@SojourningScholar been trying to reach them no responds I don't know if u should pay for a fresh appointment. Am confused
Does 2 years of part time CPT effect your OPT?
@SojourningScholar
Жыл бұрын
Nope, part time CPT does not! Only pre-completion OPT (whether part-time or full-time) affects post-completion OPT.
Please when can I Start CPT on community college 1 year or second and if I have it when can I have my green card ??
@SojourningScholar
3 жыл бұрын
CPT eligibility begins after 1 year of studies.
@sarasry7218
3 жыл бұрын
@@SojourningScholar thank you and when I have the right to have a green card
@SojourningScholar
3 жыл бұрын
You don't get any right to a green card as an international student. To learn more about working in the US after your studies, watch this playlist: kzread.info/head/PLsHMBI0OZUdVu_54m-z6NVkcnECfx-QNH
@sarasry7218
3 жыл бұрын
@@SojourningScholar and can I work with community college deplom in europe ??
I am F1 student looking for CPT job
@SojourningScholar
Жыл бұрын
Great!
Looking to apply for CPT? Let us know what challenges you're facing!
@cecilefrereux
3 жыл бұрын
I have a question. I have an academic course at my university that enables PhD student to do an externship do get teaching experience in another college. So technically it is part of my program, I can earn credit for it but it is not mandatory to graduate, meaning if we don’t want to take this course we don’t have to but it is possible. My DSO told me that because this course is not mandatory to graduate I cannot apply for CPT. Is that true? Cause I have seen cases where students get CPT more easily than that.
@SAKURAFAN199588
3 жыл бұрын
I understand most of the regulations I just have a question. My program requires us to work from September-May to compete the hours we have to in order to get our degree. I am applying for CPT for the fall semester for part-time work, what do I have to do when I know I have to work over winter break ? I am aware that I am eligible to work full-time over breaks (5-6 weeks) but won't this take up time from OPT? Also will I need to file a new CPT application just for those 6 weeks ?
@thomasconteh9618
2 жыл бұрын
Hello Bro, I hope you're doing fine. I applied for an on campus co-op in my college computer lab, I have gone through the interview. They did some background checking as well. Yesterday I received a email from the recruitment department in my school asking me to schedule an appointment to fill a form called Form I-9 and to provide check from my bank for pay stub. I decided to shared the information with my DSO today, in her feedback, she mentioned CPT. I was not expecting this. I did have all the required documents that I need to present to fill the I-9 form. My question is, if I'm approved to work on CPT, do I have to. pay anything to work on CPT? like OPT, I understand that there is an application fee payment.
@raoulmaestro993
Жыл бұрын
I'm yet to apply. Where do you go to apply for the cpt