Practical Training (CPT/OPT)
Practical Training
Practical Training is employment which enables an F-1 student, to gain professional work experience directly related to their major field of study. It is very important that you obtain the appropriate permission from USCIS and/or the Office for Global Education before starting a job or internship off-campus. Working without authorization will jeopardize your current student status and affect your future plans to visit the U.S.
In order to be eligible, students must be a degree candidate who has been a full-time student in F-1 status or has attended school in lawful non-immigrant status prior to changing to F-1 for at least one academic year (two semesters).
There are two types of practical training available:
All employment authorization is automatically terminated whenever a student fails to maintain F-1 status, full-time registration or transfers schools.