CPT Training for F-1 Visa Holders

CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING (CPT) FOR F-1 STUDENT VISA HOLDERS

WHAT IS

?

CURRICULAR

PRACTICAL

TRAINING

• A type of employment authorization to pursue work in your major field of study

Workshop Outline

• Must earn academic credit towards your major field of study OR be required to earn your degree

• CPT authorization needed BEFORE beginning work

• Definitions of CPT and Employment
• CPT Eligibility Requirements
• Number of Hours for CPT
• Relationship to Optional Practical Training (OPT)
• Frequently Asked Questions about CPT
• CPT Resources on ISSO Website
• Application Process
• CPT in Summer Term vs. Fall and Spring Terms
• Summary

WHEN TO APPLY FOR CPT

• Submit your online CPT application at least 10 business days before start date

• You cannot apply for CPT if you are not in the U.S.

Pop Quiz!

DEFINITION OF EMPLOYMENT

What information must be on the offer letter?

• Service performed for an employer in exchange for money or any other benefit, or which others normally receive for providing a similar work or service

• Both paid and non-paid positions are considered “employment” by DHS

(a) Job title

(b) Job description

(c) Start and end dates

(d) Number of hours per week

(e) Name and signature of supervisor

(f) Address

(g) Employer letterhead

(h) Date

(i) All of the above

• You need authorization before starting work

NUMBER OF HOURS FOR CPT

• Limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session

• Part-time or full-time during the summer

NOTE: Must be part-time if summer is required term of program

CPT IS DATE SPECIFIC AND

EMPLOYER SPECIFIC

FAILURE TO SECURE

EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION

• Must receive new CPT authorization to extend internship

• If you change employer, you need a new CPT I-20

• Considered most serious violation of visa status

True or False?

You can start working before you obtain

the CPT authorization.

• No guarantee reinstatement will be approved

(for more information, see

http://www.brandeis.edu/isso/current/f1_reinstatement.pdf)

(a) True

STEP 1: Obtain Internship offer letter

• Must be on company letterhead and signed by your employer
• Consult sample letter on ISSO web site

• Can affect future benefits

(b) False

STEP 2: Bring offer letter and the ISSO Internship Advisor’s Recommendation Form to your internship course advisor for signature

STEP 3: Register for internship course

STEP 4: Submit online CPT application to ISSO (http://www.brandeis.edu/isso/current/employment/cpt/index.html)

• Employer’s offer letter
• Internship Advisor’s Recommendation Form
• Processed within 10 business days

RECEIVING CPT AUTHORIZATION

• Eligible to work after you receive new I-20 documenting CPT

• ISSO will email you when CPT I-20 is ready

• Pre-completion OPT takes 2-3 months

RELATIONSHIP OF CPT TO

OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT)

• CPT does not affect eligibility for OPT unless you were authorized for 12 months of full-time CPT at the same degree level

• For more information on OPT, see the ISSO website or the OPT online workshop

QUESTIONS?

• Please consult our web site at http://www.brandeis.edu/isso/current/employment/cpt/index.html

• Sample offer letter and internship advisor’s recommendation form are available at the link cited above

• To schedule an appointment with an advisor email us at

isso@brandeis.edu

or call us at

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

781-736-3480

1) Do I need CPT work authorization for work outside the U.S.?

MAYBE, if income or employee status comes from the U.S. office

2) Do I need CPT work authorization for research?

YES, for off-campus employer or if a Brandeis faculty member has an outside grant

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (2)

• I’d like to do some translating (or something else); can I get CPT work authorization?

MOST LIKELY, NO. All off-campus work must directly relate to your major field of study

FOR CPT

• Must be in F-1 Status for at least two consecutive full- time semesters
• Must be enrolled as a full-time student
• Must have health insurance according to Massachusetts state law

ACCESS FORMS ON ISSO WEB SITE

http://www.brandeis.edu/isso/current/employment/cpt/index.html

CPT checklist

Sample offer letter

Internship advisor's recommendation form

APPLYING FOR CPT

TO WORK IN THE SUMMER

Must be physically present in the U.S.

If you are traveling outside of the U.S. you need to:

• Receive the new CPT I-20 before you travel

OR

• Allow 10 business days to process the CPT after you return to the U.S.

If you want to extend an internship that you already have CPT for, do you need a new CPT employment authorization?

CPT TO CONTINUE OR START WORKING IN THE FALL OR SPRING

• Submit all materials previously listed

• Internship course should be offered in the same term as work experience

• Dates and deadlines published in ISSOnews and on ISSO Facebook page

• Complete the ISSO online check-in

• Eligible to enroll in additional internship course for academic credit to continue CPT

(a) Yes

(b) No

FOR CPT

• Appropriate for all types of off-campus work

• Must be enrolled in the course at the same time as the work. Authorization only for that term

International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO)

Brandeis University