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Practical Advice
on Curricular Practical Training
for F-1 Students
Monica Sharp, Assistant Director
Danika Hines, International Student Advisor
University of Oklahoma International Student Services
729 Elm Avenue, Hester Hall, Room 155
msharp@ou.edu; danika@ou.edu
iss@ou.edu
405-325-3337
http://www.ou.edu/intprog/iss/
Before We Begin the Workshop…
Are all attendees in F-1 status?
Number of OPT v. CPT attendees?
We will review both categories first.
Please hold your questions until the end of
the all general information. If you have a
unique and complicated question, wait until
the end of the workshop to speak with an
advisor.
Important Terms
DSO: Designated School Official – OU
International Student Advisor
USCIS: US Citizenship and Immigration
Service
CPT: curricular practical training
OPT: optional practical training
EAD: employment authorization document
(card)
Practical Training: Two Types
• An F-1 student may wish to find an
internship or short-term employment to
gain practical experience in the field of
study.
• To obtain permission for this type of
employment authorization, the USCIS
permits an F-1 student to seek
authorization for practical training.
Type 1:
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Internship offered by sponsoring employers
through agreements with the university that is
required as an integral part of an established
curriculum, or will count toward degree
requirements. CPT is recommended by the
academic advisor and authorized by the
DSO.
Curricular Practical Training:
What is it exactly?
• An F-1 student may wish to find an
internship to gain practical experience in
the field of study.
• To obtain this type of employment
authorization, the USCIS permits an F-1
student to seek authorization for
curricular practical training.
Curricular Practical Training
Preconditions Location Duration Hours/Week
Lawfully enrolled as May be employed Approval granted May be approved
full-time student for only by specific each semester. for part-time (20h or
one academic year employer, location, Must reapply prior less per week) or
(fall + spring and for specific to each semester if full-time (20+ hours
semester). dates as approved working multiple per week). Full-
by DSO. semesters. time CPT granted
for summer
semester only.
Field Offer of Enrollment Approval
Must be an integral Employment Must maintain Must receive
part of curriculum Must have minimum enrollment authorization from
and count toward internship offer in F-1 status during DSO on I-20 before
degree letter before employment (except internship begins.
requirements. applying for CPT. summer semester).
CPT and other work authorization
Students who use 12 full
months of full-time CPT
become ineligible for
OPT under US
immigration law
Use of part-time CPT
does not affect OPT
Consider applying for
pre-completion OPT if
you do not qualify for
CPT
Important!
An F-1 student with CPT cannot hold
a concurrent, part-time, on-campus job
during the fall and spring semesters.
This includes GA appointments. Total
number of hours worked per week
cannot exceed twenty during the fall
and spring semesters!
Other considerations
The internship must be an integral part of an
established curriculum. This means that the
internship is:
1. required for all degree candidates, or
2. part of an internship course for academic credit
towards the degree – support letter from academic
advisor required, or
3. required to complete thesis/dissertation research;
results will be included in thesis or dissertation -
support letter from academic advisor required, or
4. Located through OU Career Services and will count
for credit towards degree requirements - support
letter from academic advisor required
CPT Application Process and Deadlines
Meet with your academic advisor. Does your degree
program require an internship of all students, or will it
award internship credit toward your degree
requirements?
If your program does not require an internship, or will
not award credit for an internship, plan ahead for pre-
completion OPT in your field of study
Enroll in the internship course when your enrollment
window opens, and before the add/drop period closes of
the semester in which you wish to do CPT
Gather documents and submit CPT application packet
to OU ISS – allow 10 business days for processing
OU ISS WILL PROCESS NO CPT APPLICATIONS IN
A CURRENT SEMESTER AFTER THE CLOSE OF
THE ADD PERIOD FOR THE SEMESTER (the last day
of the first week of the semester)
IMPORTANT REGULATION!
CPT employment authorization is strictly
regulated under US federal immigration law.
Working at your internship before the CPT
start date on your I-20 or continuing
internship employment (paid or unpaid) after
the CPT authorization end date on your I-20
IS A SERIOUS VISA VIOLATION AND CAN
RESULT IN A LOSS OF YOUR F-1 VISA
STATUS.
Curricular Practical Training
application procedure
Attend OU ISS CPT/OPT
workshop
Meet with your Academic Advisor;
request that s/he complete the
recommendation form, and provide
support letter, if applicable
Obtain detailed internship offer
letter (see template)
Submit application to OU ISS
Pick up CPT I-20 after you have
been notified via email by OU ISS
DO NOT START THE
INTERNSHIP BEFORE YOU ARE
AUTHORIZED FOR CPT!
Deadlines
and Submitting CPT Applications
Last day to apply at OU ISS for Spring 2008
CPT is Friday, January 18
Summer 2008 CPT application window is
April 7 – June 6
Submit CPT packets in person to OU ISS,
Hester Hall Room 155.
Call 325-3337 or email iss@ou.edu with
questions
Type 2:
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Temporary employment authorization granted
by USCIS for practical training that is directly
related to the student’s major area of study.
OPT can be taken during annual summer
vacation, part-time during regular school
session, after completion of course
requirements or after completion of course of
study.
Optional Practical Training
Preconditions Location Duration Hours/Week
Lawfully enrolled as May be employed Maximum 12 Full-time pre-
full-time student for by any employer at months of full-time completion OPT
one academic year any location for the employment. Part- during summer
(fall & spring). duration of OPT time pre-completion breaks. Part-time
employment OPT is deducted pre-completion
authorization, but from 12-month limit OPT during
all employment at 50%. semesters. After
must be in field of degree completion,
study. all OPT must be
full-time.
Field Offer of Enrollment Approval
Must be directly Employment If pre-completion Must apply to
related to major No offer letter OPT, maintain full USCIS before
field of study required to apply. courseload during degree completion
indicated on I-20. Student must work, employment (post-completion
Burden of proof is or actively seek (unless summer). OPT) or before
on the student to work. Post-completion= work begins (pre-
ensure this! none. completion OPT)
OPT can be authorized in the
following ways:
After completion of the degree program
(undergraduates: last day of semester; graduate
students: defense date or last day of semester in
which defense took place)
After completion of all course requirements for the
degree, excluding thesis or dissertation (I-20
CANNOT be extended after OPT completion date)
Full-time (20+ hours per week) as pre-completion
OPT during summer break
Part-time while school is in session (20 hours or less
per week). Minimum enrollment requirements apply!
Important!
The USCIS will grant post-completion
OPT on a full-time basis only.
Post-completion OPT: apply to USCIS
before degree completion date. The
latest date that post-completion OPT
can begin is 60 days after degree
completion date.
*NEW* OPT application eligibility now
begins 120 days prior to degree
completion date.
Notes on OPT application procedure
USCIS sends receipt notice when OPT
application is received and in process.
Receipt notice has number and website to track
application status.
You cannot begin OPT employment until you
have the EAD and the start date is current.
If requesting pre-completion OPT, you must not
work until USCIS has approved your application
– processing time = 100 days
If your degree does not require that you complete
an internship, consider pre-completion OPT and
plan ahead!
Note! Mailing address for EAD
OU ISS office address is pre-filled in #3 on Form
I-765 - address to where EAD will be sent
ISS office will receive your receipt notice and
EAD, notifying you to safely retrieve it
A designated friend may also retrieve it on your
behalf – send an email to janaej@ou.edu; we will
verify photo ID prior to releasing your card to a
designated party
OPT application procedures
•Submit Academic Advisor recommendation form to advisor
•Complete USCIS Form I-765
•Make 2 copies of all immigration documents (passport bio
page, visa, I-94, current and all prior I-20s, former EADs)
•*NEW* Obtain $340 check or money order processing fee
for USCIS application
•Obtain 2 passport-size photos
•Submit complete OPT application to OU ISS; make OPT
processing appointment with OU DSO
•Meet with OU DSO to finalize OPT application prior to
submission to USCIS
Post-completion OPT? Determine your
start date!
You must apply for post-completion OPT
before you graduate – beginning 120 days
prior to degree completion
Post-completion OPT can only start after you
graduate - 60 days following degree
completion
You will be asked to choose your preferred
OPT start date when you submit your
application to OU ISS
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
FOR GRADUATE ASSISTANTS
If you choose a completion date that is NOT the end of
the regular semester, BE ADVISED THAT:
All on-campus employment will end on the date you
choose as your completion date
Your graduate assistant appointment will end on your
completion date. You may not continue any
employment, paid on unpaid, on the OU campus after
your completion date.
You will no longer be eligible for your tuition waiver as of
your completion date. You may be required to pay back
your tuition waiver.
GRADUATE STUDENTS AND
COMPLETION DATE – cont.
If your degree completion date is mid-semester,
you are:
Not eligible for on-campus employment
Not eligible to continue graduate assistant
appointments
Not eligible for tuition waiver
The only way to avoid these complications is
to SELECT THE PROGRAM COMPLETION DATE
THAT IS THE END OF THE SEMESTER.
IMPORTANT REGULATION!
OPT employment authorization is strictly
regulated under US federal immigration law.
Working before the OPT start date on your
EAD IS A SERIOUS VISA VIOLATION AND
CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF YOUR F-1
VISA STATUS.
OPT Application Deadlines
You must submit your application via US mail to
USCIS no less than seven days prior to your degree
completion date
Undergrads: Spring 2008 deadline for processing
appointment with OU ISS is May 2 for a May 9
degree completion date
Grad students: Spring 2008 deadline for processing
appointment with OU ISS is May 2 for a May 9
degree completion date, or seven days prior to
defense date. You must choose a date – it cannot
be changed!
OU ISS cannot process any OPT I-20s for Spring 2008
graduates after May 2, 2008!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I get more OPT at a later date?
2. Can my OPT be cancelled?
3. Can I study while on OPT?
4. Can I change employers during OPT?
5. Can I travel out of the US while on OPT?
6. Do I get a grace period after OPT?
We will now cover these questions in depth…
FAQ 1:
Can I get more OPT at a later date?
F-1 students may apply for 12 full months
of full-time OPT per degree provided that
subsequent degrees are each at a higher
degree level.
FAQ 2: Can I withdraw my OPT
application?
It is extraordinarily difficult to change the start date of the OPT
application once it has been submitted. Cancellation of all or
part of a period of OPT once the EAD card has been issued is
also difficult.
If you wish to withdraw your OPT application, your I-20 must
be extended to a new program completion date. It can take
over a month to resolve your on-campus employment and
status issues.
You will also pay the OPT application fee again if you apply in
the future.
Due to F-1 status issues and cost to student, we recommend
you choose a firm degree completion date and OPT start
date.
FAQ 3:
Can I study while on OPT?
US federal immigration law states that while you are
on full-time, post-completion OPT, you may not
begin study toward a new degree program and keep
your OPT. The start date of your new I-20 for a new
degree program will end your OPT work
authorization.
You may finish remaining requirements, such as a
thesis or dissertation, for a current degree program.
If you did not complete a required course in your
final semester of your degree program, you may
complete a course.
Do not take course credit toward a new degree
FAQ 4:
Can I change employers during OPT?
A student may work for more than one
employer and/or change employers during
the period of authorized OPT, but ALL
employment must be directly related to the
field of study on the I-20.
FAQ 5: Can I travel out of the US
while on OPT?
OPT = F-1 status.
Travel abroad with I-20 signed for travel by OU DSO,
EAD card, a valid F-1 visa, employment confirmation
letter.
You may depart the US before receiving the EAD.
However, you must have the EAD, a valid F-1 visa,
and proof of your employment to reenter the US.
The USCIS has advised that students may reenter
the US with the OPT receipt notice if they have not
yet received the EAD – not recommended!
It is not impossible, but may be more difficult, to
renew an F-1 visa while on OPT.
FAQ 6:
Do I get a grace period after I
complete OPT?
F-1 students have a 60-day grace period
following the completion date of OPT. The
time your OPT application was pending
does NOT count against the grace period.
You may change immigration status during
the grace period, obtain an I-20 for a new
degree program, or depart the US. You
are NOT work-authorized during the grace
period.
You MUST submit your OPT application packet
prior to your processing appointment with a DSO.
Go to OU ISS office, Hester Hall Room 155 to
submit an OPT application packet and set an OPT
processing appointment.
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