Curricular Practical Training (CPT) |
What Is CPT ?
- What Is Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?
- CPT Eligibility Requirements
- Types Of CPT
- Duration of CPT
How To Apply For CPT ?
- CPT Application Checklist
- When to Apply for CPT
- CPT Application Procedures
- Sample Letter from Academic Advisor
- Sample Letter from Employer
After You Apply For CPT
What Is CPT ?
What Is Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?
This type of off-campus work is defined as employment which is an integral part of your established curriculum including: alternate work/study; internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. Curricular Practical Training permission is obtained from the Office of International Programs (not USCIS). The employment authorization will be indicated on page 3 of your I-20 which will include the signature of the International Student Advisor.
- Student must be in valid F-1 student status and have been enrolled full-time for one academic year (two semesters). For employment required by degree program - graduate students only may begin employment immediately upon beginning studies (after receiving authorization for CPT from OIP)
- Must be enrolled in full course of study (12 units for undergraduates/8 units for graduates)
- Job must be directly related to your major field of study
- Minimum G.P.A. of 2.0 (undergraduate students) or 3.0 (graduate students)
- You must be registered in an internship class in the same period of time that you are working. CPT cannot be granted for “Special Study" or "Independent Study." It requires registration in an internship, fieldwork, practicum or other course specifically designed for experiential or practical learning and listed in the SF State Bulletin as such. You must receive academic credit for your work (the only exception to this is for Hospitality Management students – see an International Student Advisor at OIP)
- Job must be required by your degree program or an integral part of your degree program requirements. The units that you earn for your internship experience must be used towards your degree ( Graduate students must be able to use the internship units on your GAP form ).
NOTE: Students who have already completed all of the coursework required for their degree and are working on their thesis are not eligible for CPT. Instead, they should apply for Optional (Thesis) Practical Training
Part-Time Training:
Employment for 20 hours or less per week while you are also enrolled in classes is considered "part-time" CPT. The employment authorization written on the third page of your I-20 should therefore specify permission to engage in "part-time" training and you must be careful to limit your work to no more than 20 hours per week.
Full-Time Training :
Employment for more than 20 hours per week is considered "full-time" CPT and the employment authorization on your I-20 should, in this case, specify permission to participate in "full-time" training.
CPT is issued for one semester at a time. Your period of authorized employment will begin no earlier than the first day o f instruction and must end no later than the last day of final exams for the semester. For example, if the semester runs from January 26 through May 25, then the student may not work before January 26 or after May 25
You are not limited by F-1 regulations in the amount of CPT you may be granted prior to completing your degree requirements. The limitation depends on the curricular requirements and options of your degree program.
Note: The time you spend on CPT will not be deducted from your 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) as long as you use less than 12 months full-time CPT. If, however, you spend 12 months or more on full-time CPT, you will lose all eligibility for OPT.
How to Apply for CPT ?
Please the OIP front desk at 415-338-1293 to schedule an appointment to meet with an International Student Advisor AFTER you have ALL of the following documents. Please remember to bring ALL of the following documents with you to your appointment.
- Completed and signed " CPT Student Responsibilities Checklist "
- I-20
- Passport
- Letter from your Academic Advisor
* Letter must be typed on official department letterhead stationary and must contain the academic advisor's original signature. - Letter from your Employer
* Letter must be typed on official company letterhead stationary and must contain the employer's original signature. - You must be enrolled full-time or have an approved Reduced Course Load (RCL)
- You must also have registered for the appropriate internship course offered through your academic department or through the Cooperative Education Office during the same semester in which you plan to work.
Your appointment with an International Student Advisor must be before or on your requested CPT start date. It takes OIP 5 business days to issue an I-20 with CPT authorization and you are only legally permitted to begin employment after you are granted CPT authorization from OIP. Plan ahead!
To make certain that both you and the job meet the eligibility requirements described above, you must schedule an appointment with an International Student Advisor at OIP and present the following completed application materials:
- Completed and Signed “CPT Student Responsibilities Checklist”
- I-20
- Passport
- Letter from Your Academic Advisor
This letter must verify your degree program, area of specialization, and date of completion. The academic advisor is also requested to state that to the best of his/her knowledge, the proposed employment involves training that is directly related to your major field of study.
Also, the academic advisor should recommend that you be granted CPT because either it is a required part of your degree program or because you are registered and enrolled in an internship course offered through your academic department.
The letter should also explain how the units (please including the course ID) that you earn for your internship class will be used towards satisfying your degree program requirements.
The letter should be an original (no photocopy) on university letterhead stationery, and have your academic advisor's signature. Please see the sample letter below. Before your Academic Advisor can write a support letter on your behalf, you will need to submit to him/her a letter from your employer.
- Letter from Your Employer
Information in this letter must contain the following and must be on your employer's letterhead stationary and contain the employer's original signature (please see sample letter below)
- Student's job title
- Exact date employment will begin - this requested CPT start date must be on or after the day of your appointment with an International Student Advisor at OIP.
- Exact date employment will end - this requested CPT end date can be no later than the last day of final exams of the semester in which you are taking your internship class.
- Detailed description of job duties
- Whether the job is full-time or part-time (and number of hours student will be working each week)
- You must be enrolled full-time or have an approved Reduced Course Load (RCL)
- You must also have registered for the appropriate internship course offered through your academic department or through the Cooperative Education Office during the same semester in which you plan to work.
After You Apply for CPT
Within 5 business days, the international student advisor will authorize CPT employment in SEVIS and on the third page of your I-20. You must be careful not to continue employment beyond the date authorized on your I-20 unless you apply for and are granted new permission to work.
NOTE: You will not receive a response from USCIS. For your reference and convenience, we will give you a photocopy of your documents. Please keep them in a safe place. Also, please remember that once approved, Curricular Practical Training will be counted whether or not you actually work for the entire authorized period of employment. A new employer or a new internship requires that you renew your curricular work authorization with an international student advisor.
Additional Information about CPT
Employment Eligibility Verification
When you begin work, you and your employer must complete a form entitled "Employment Eligibility Verification" (USCIS Form I-9), which the employer retains. The I -9 must be updated each time you receive a renewal of your work permission.
Social Security and Other Taxes :
In general, F-1 students who have been in the U.S. less than five years are exempt from Social Security (F.I.C.A.) taxes. Your earnings, however, are subject to applicable federal, state and local taxes. Students must file a tax return on or before April 15 each year, which will determine if any of the withheld taxes can be refunded.
A Note of Caution:
While USCIS regulations provide a variety of opportunities for you to be employed during your time in F-1 status, working improperly or without authorization is a serious violation of your status. You should therefore consult with the international student advisor before taking up any employment.
Sample Letter From Academic Advisor
(For use with Curricular Practical Training )
Date
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is written in support of the application for ( part-time/full-time, number of hours ) Curricular Practical Training of ( name of student ), who will receive ( type of degree & major ) from San Francisco State University on ( last day of final exams/oral exam/submission of thesis ).
( Name of student ) is applying to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) for permission to accept ( full-time/part-time ) Curricular Practical Training beginning on ( date student is to begin employment ) through ( date student is expect to end employment ).
( Name of student ) would like to gain valuable experience in American methods of ( student's field of study ) and has secured an offer of employment from ( Name and address of company ) as a ( student's job title )."
Your academic advisor must also add a paragraph here explaining how the units (including the course ID) that you earn through your internship experience will be used towards your degree program (i.e., what degree program requirements will these internship units be used to satisfy).
( Name of student ) has proven to be a serious and committed student as San Francisco State University . ( He/she ) has worked very hard for ( his/her ) degree. ( His/her ) dedication to work hard and study will make this experience rewarding and educational and will be of particular value to ( him/her ) when ( he/she ) returns home to ( student's country of citizenship ) to continue ( his/her ) career.
I therefore hope that you will grant (his/her) request for practical training.
Sincerely,
(Name and Title of Academic Advisor)
(For use with Curricular Practical Training )
Date
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is written to support the application for ( part-time/full-time, number of hours ) Curricular Practical Training of ( Name of student ).
( Name of student ) has been offered a job as a ( occupation/job title of student ) and will be working for ( name of company ) beginning on ( date student is to begin employment ). We expect to continue to employ ( name of student ) through ( date student is expect to end employment ). This period of employment corresponds to the time allowable for ( name of student ) 's practical training period and is needed for ( her/him ) to complete the training we provide. ( Name of student )'s duties will include ( provide a brief description of duties, relating the task(s) performed to the student's prior training and experience ).
( Name of Company ) therefore respectfully request that the application of ( name of student ) to accept ( her/his ) period of curricular practical training be granted.
Sincerely,
(Name and Title of Company Officer)
Last modified: September 2008
