CPT vs OPT
| CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINGING (CPT) |
OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT) |
| CPT requires a job offer | OPT does not require a job offer |
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CPT requires enrollment in an internship class in which on-the-job training is required and for which course credit is received.
Student must be enrolled in the internship class at the same time they are working |
OPT does not require you to enroll in an internship class |
| CPT authorized during the summer or winter would require the student to pay summer & winter tuition | OPT does not require the student to pay for class registration, but would require $380.00 USCIS processing fee |
| CPT is authorized for a specific employer for work related to student鈥檚 major field of study | OPT allows work with ANY employer based on the student鈥檚 major field of study |
| CPT is authorized by OIP within 5 business days | OPT is authorized by USCIS in 60 - 90 days (after preliminary processing by OIP) |
| CPT work permit is granted on the I-20 (page 3) | OPT work permit is called the EAD (Employment Authorization Document) |
| CPT may only be issued for work before graduation | OPT allows for employment both before and after graduation |
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CPT usually does not affect OPT as long as CPT is authorized for less than 12 months of full-time employment (more than 20 hours per week). Part-time CPT (20 hours per week or less) is never deducted from OPT.
NOTE: if you work total 4 months of full-time CPT, you will still have 12 months of OPT |
OPT authorized part-time (20 hours or less per week) is deducted at half-time rate, but full-time OPT (more than 20 hours per week) is deducted at full-time rate from the 12 months of OPT.
NOTE: if you received 6 full-time months of OPT before graduating you will only have 6 months of OPT left after graduation |
