How many unemployment days are allowed on STEM OPT?

STEM OPT students have 150 total days of unemployment (90 for initial OPT plus 60 additional for STEM OPT).

Can I volunteer on OPT?

Unpaid positions related to your field of study with at least 20 hours per week can satisfy OPT requirements. Document duties carefully.

Do I need a job offer to apply for OPT?

No, you can apply without a job offer. You must secure qualifying employment within the 90-day unemployment limit after your EAD start date.

CPT Guide for F-1 Students

The process at a glance

01
Step 1
Identify the qualifying course
The internship must be tied to a course that grants academic credit OR be a required degree component (co-op, practicum). Talk to your academic advisor before approaching your DSO.
02
Step 2
Secure the offer letter
Get a written offer on company letterhead: job title, start/end dates, weekly hours, salary, supervisor, address, and a description tying duties to your major.
03
Step 3
Submit CPT request to DSO
Use your school’s portal. Attach offer letter, course registration, and any required academic-advisor approval. Allow 1–2 weeks processing.
04
Step 4
Receive new I-20
Your DSO updates SEVIS and prints a new I-20 with CPT authorisation on page 2. The dates on the I-20 are the legal employment window — no day earlier, no day later.
05
Step 5
Complete the course
You must actually finish the linked course and submit any required reflection paper/evaluation. Skipping the academic component retroactively makes the CPT unauthorised.

Overview

Work authorization is one of the most important topics for F-1 students planning to gain professional experience in the US. This guide walks through curricular-practical-training-cpt-guide step by step, from eligibility to maintaining compliance after approval.

Eligibility and Key Requirements

F-1 work eligibility begins after completing one academic year. Your DSO must confirm your status and recommend you in SEVIS. Each work option has specific requirements: CPT needs a job offer, OPT needs a completed degree, and STEM OPT needs an E-Verified employer.

Application Process and Timelines

Each F-1 work authorization type has a different process. OPT: Form I-765 filed 90 days before to 60 days after program end. CPT: authorized by DSO before starting work. On-campus: requires securing a qualifying position. Maintain copies of all documents.

Maintaining Compliance and Reporting

Compliance involves maintaining F-1 status and following specific work rules. Continue full-time enrollment, keep your passport and I-94 valid, and report changes promptly. For CPT and OPT, ensure employment relates to your field and document your hours and responsibilities.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Avoid mistakes by preparing carefully. Common errors include unsigned forms, incorrect fees, missing documents, and filing outside the window. Create a checklist and review with your DSO. After approval, avoid compliance mistakes like unreported address changes and unauthorized work.

CPT is academic credit that happens to be paid — not paid work that happens to be academic. The credit comes first.

CPT eligibility: the one-academic-year rule and exceptions

Federal regulations require F-1 students to complete one full academic year (typically two semesters or three quarters) before being eligible for CPT. The exception is for graduate students whose programs require immediate CPT participation — for example, a summer internship that is mandatory before the first fall semester. Even in these cases, the DSO must record a specific note in SEVIS explaining why the early CPT is integral to the curriculum. Part-time CPT (20 hours or fewer per week) is authorized separately from full-time CPT and does not affect OPT eligibility. Full-time CPT (over 20 hours per week) must be authorized with the understanding that 12 months or more of full-time CPT eliminates OPT eligibility at the same degree level. CPT is authorized on a semester-by-semester or term-by-term basis; a single CPT authorization cannot span multiple semesters unless the DSO enters separate authorizations for each term.

How to get CPT authorized: the DSO process and employer letter requirements

To obtain CPT, you must: (1) register for a course that requires or permits off-campus work — an internship, practicum, cooperative education, or independent study that integrates the work experience into the curriculum; (2) obtain a job offer letter from the employer that includes your job title, start and end dates, number of hours per week, a detailed description of duties, and the employer’s name and address; (3) submit a CPT request through your DSO, typically via the international office’s online portal or a paper form. The DSO will verify that the job relates to your major field of study, that you have met the one-academic-year waiting period, and that the CPT dates align with the course enrollment period. Once approved, the DSO enters the CPT authorization into SEVIS, and you receive a new I-20 with the CPT authorization printed on page 2. You cannot start work until you have the new I-20 in hand. CPT issued retroactively is not permitted — work begun before the I-20 date is unauthorized employment.

CPT vs OPT: strategic considerations for international students

CPT and OPT serve different purposes. CPT is for off-campus work during your program and is authorized by your DSO without USCIS involvement. OPT is for post-completion employment and requires a USCIS application with a filing fee. Strategically, CPT preserves OPT eligibility as long as full-time CPT stays under 12 months. Many students use part-time CPT during the academic year and reserve OPT for after graduation. If you are considering a Day 1 CPT program, weigh the OPT risk carefully — every month of full-time CPT reduces your OPT runway. Conversely, CPT can provide valuable work experience that makes you a stronger candidate for H-1B sponsorship. The ideal strategy is to use part-time CPT (up to 20 hours per week) during the academic year and save full-time periods for summer breaks when CPT hours can expand — and always keep total full-time CPT under 12 months to preserve your full OPT eligibility.

Flashcards

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What you learned

End-of-guide quiz

3 questions

01
You did 8 months of part-time CPT and 4 months of full-time CPT during your degree. Are you still eligible for OPT?
02
Your employer extends the internship 2 weeks past the CPT end date on your I-20. What now?
03
Which is NOT required for legitimate CPT?

0 / 3 answered

Official sources

Verify rules, fees, and forms on first-party government sites. This guide is educational and not a substitute for your DSO, solicitor, or licensed adviser.

Procedural deep-dives

For statutes, forms, deadlines, and evidence standards, use these legal owners on MyCaseworks.

US student visas hub
F-1, CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT procedural guides in one place.
F-1 document checklist 2026
What to assemble for I-20, DS-160, and the consular interview.
OPT & STEM OPT complete guide
Post-completion work authorisation after you graduate.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

The process at a glance

Identify the qualifying course

Secure the offer letter

Submit CPT request to DSO

Receive new I-20

Complete the course