F-1 Practical Training

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is work authorization used to satisfy the requirements of a required or elective internship, fieldwork, practicum, or student teaching course. In all cases, employment must be an integral part of the established curriculum.

If the course is required, it may be a credit or non-credit course depending on your program's academic requirements and procedures. If the course is an elective, it must be taken for a minimum of 1 credit.

Curricular Practical Training can only be authorized part-time (up to 20 hours per week) while school is in session and full-time during regularly scheduled vacations. Exceptions may apply depending on the structure of your program. Please note that if you engage in one year or more of full-time CPT, you will not be eligible for OPT.

Eligibility Requirements for CPT

In order to be eligible for CPT, you must:

Be in lawful F-1 status
Have been enrolled as a full-time student for at least one academic year

If you were enrolled full-time for one academic year in another non-immigrant status, you may qualify for CPT

Be in good academic standing and making normal progress towards completion of your degree
Have a job offer directly related to your academic program
Register for an internship, fieldwork, practicum, or student teaching course that fulfills your program requirements

Unpaid Internships

Even if a position is unpaid, the position offered to you may qualify as “employment” which requires you to obtain appropriate employment authorization, such as CPT and OPT. To help you determine if the internship position offered to you qualifies as employment, refer to the US Department of Labor website.

Volunteer positions that are determined as such by the US Department of Labor do not require work authorization.

CPT Start and End Dates

CPT is authorized on a semester basis following TC’s Academic Calendar. If your employment spans multiple semesters, you are required to obtain CPT authorization every semester. You may not work outside the start and end dates of CPT authorization on your Form I-20.

OISS may take up to 14 business days for initial review, and insufficient documentation may result in delays in processing. Make sure to plan ahead as CPT cannot be authorized retroactively.

CPT Application Procedures

STEP 1: Attend an F-1 CPT Employment Workshop (mandatory)

STEP 2: Obtain an employment offer letter. Your offer letter must include the following information on the employer’s letterhead:

Your job title and description of duties
Start and end dates of employment (maximum one year)
Number of hours per week
Employer address, including the ZIP code

STEP 3: Discuss your plans for CPT with your academic advisor who can determine your course enrollment in an internship, fieldwork, practicum, or student teaching course that will count towards your program requirements

STEP 4: Complete the CPT application via TC-Compass. To submit your application successfully, you will need the following:

Most recent degree audit reflecting your course enrollment for CPT

Your degree audit must be verified and signed by your academic advisor and indicate your expected graduation date
Make sure all of your courses are applied to appropriate sections

Name and email address of your academic advisor
Job offer letter that has been reviewed by your academic advisor and meeting the requirements mentioned in STEP 2

Please note that your application is not complete until your academic advisor completes their recommendation through TC-Compass to the OISS. We are unable to review your application until your application is submitted in its entirety. Once your application is submitted in its entirety, it may take up to 14 business days for initial review.

STEP 5: Obtain your Form I-20 with CPT authorization from the OISS. Once your request is processed, you will receive an updated I-20 via email.

STEP 6: Review your Form I-20 for accuracy and sign the Student Attestation section on page 1 of your I-20 in blue ink. Make sure all of the information is correct. Notify the OISS of any errors.

Note: If there are any changes to your CPT information such as your start/end dates, position description, or employer information, it is your responsibility to notify the OISS.

ATTENTION: prior to e-filing your OPT application with USCIS, please ensure you receive an updated Form I-20 with an OPT recommendation from OISS

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an employment benefit that allows you, as an F-1 student, to gain practical and professional experience in your field of study. Unlike Curricular Practical Training (CPT), OPT does not require you to register for an internship, practicum, student teaching, or fieldwork course. You may use OPT either before or after your completion of studies.

Types of OPT

Pre-Completion OPT: OPT employment authorization before completing your academic studies
Post-Completion OPT: OPT employment authorization after completing your academic studies

Eligibility Requirements for OPT

In order to be eligible for OPT, you must:

Be in lawful F-1 status with an unexpired I-20 and I-94 marked "F-1 D/S"
Have been enrolled as a full-time student for at least one academic year
Be in good academic standing and making normal progress towards completion of your degree
Not have been approved for 12 months of OPT in the past at the same educational level
Not have been approved for 12 months or more of full-time CPT at the same educational level
Be physically present in the U.S. at the time you submit your application to USCIS
If you have completed your program, the USCIS must receive your application within 60 days of completion and you must not have left the U.S. during those 60 days. If you leave the U.S. within your 60-day grace period prior to submitting your OPT application, you are no longer eligible for OPT
You do not need to have a job offer to apply for OPT; however, you must have the intention of pursuing professional employment in your field of study

Duration of OPT

F-1 students may be authorized 12 months of OPT and become eligible for another 12 months of OPT when they change to a higher educational level. For example, if you completed 12 months of OPT for your bachelor’s degree, you may have another 12 months of OPT for a master’s degree.

Impact of Pre-Completion OPT on Post-Completion OPT: Any period of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from available OPT at one-half the full-time rate. For example, if you have received 6 months of part-time (up to 20 hours per week) pre-completion OPT, the total time of full-time OPT available to you will be reduced by 3 months (50% of 6 months). Thus you would only be entitled to 9 months of full-time post-completion OPT.

STEM OPT Extension: Some F-1 students at Teachers College will be eligible for an additional 24 months of OPT (for a total of 36 months). The STEM OPT extension is available for students who obtain degrees in DHS approved STEM fields and have an offer of paid employment for at least 20 hours per week from an employer enrolled in E-Verify. For more information, please review the STEM OPT Extension tab on this page.

OPT Application Timeline

Pre-Completion OPT: You may submit your application for pre-completion OPT at any point during your studies, provided that you have been lawfully enrolled full-time for at least one academic year. Considering USCIS may take up to 90 days for processing, we recommend that you apply for pre-completion OPT at least 3-4 months before you want to start working. We do not recommend applying for pre-completion OPT unless you have an employment offer since any time authorized for pre-completion OPT is deducted from your 12 months eligibility available at your current degree level even if you do not engage in employment.

Post-Completion OPT: You may submit your application for post-completion OPT up to 90 days prior to your program completion date and no later than 60 days after your program completion date. You must file your application with USCIS within 30 days of the date the DSO enters an OPT recommendation into your SEVIS record. Failure to submit your application within the timeline will result in denial of your application.

Start and End Dates for Post-Completion OPT : When applying for post-completion OPT, you must provide your OPT start and end dates. The earliest start date you may choose is the day after your program completion date. The latest start date is 60 days after your program completion date. Your OPT end date is one year from the start date or 14 months after your program completion date, whichever is earlier.

Program Completion Date: Your program completion date is the last day of your classes (term end date, not a degree conferral date or graduation date). Be sure to consult the TC Academic Calendar for this information.

OPT Application Procedures

STEP 1: Attend an F-1 OPT Employment Workshop (mandatory)

STEP 2: Discuss your plans for OPT with your academic advisor

STEP 3: Complete the OPT Application via TC-Compass. To submit your application successfully, you will need the following:

Your most recent I-94
Name and email address of your academic advisor

Please note that your application is not complete until your academic advisor provides additional information to the OISS. We are unable to review your application until your application is submitted in its entirety. Once your application is submitted in its entirety, it may take up to 14 business days for initial review.

STEP 4: Obtain a Form I-20 with an OPT recommendation from the OISS. Once your request is processed, you will receive an updated I-20 via email.

STEP 5: Review your Form I-20 for accuracy and sign the Student Attestation section on page 1 of your I-20 in blue ink. Make sure all of the information, including the requested OPT start and end dates, is correct. Notify the OISS immediately of any errors.

STEP 6: File your application with USCIS via mail or online. You will need the following documents:

Form I-765 marked with the appropriate code in the Eligibility Category field (You may refer to the I-765 Guide to complete the form)

Pre-completion OPT: (c)(3)(A)
Standard post-completion OPT: (c)(3)(B)

I-765 filing fee ($470 for e-filing, $520 for paper-filing)

If paying by check or money order, make payments to the order of “U.S. Department of Homeland Security." Be sure that your name and address are pre-printed on it. Write SEVIS ID on check/money order. Do NOT send your money order separate from the application the money order is for. Your money order should be included with your other application materials.
If filing online, you can pay with your debit or credit card

Passport-style photo of yourself taken within the last 30 days and that has not been previously used for US government-related application. If mailing your application, you will need two identical photos with your name, date of birth, I-94 number, and SEVIS number written on the back. If filing online, you can use the Department of State’s photo composition tools.
Copy of a Form I-20 with an OPT recommendation from the OISS
Copy of your unexpired passport identification page clearly indicating your name, nationality, date of birth, and passport expiration date
Copy of your F-1 visa(s) (except for citizens of Canada and Bermuda)
Copy of your most recent I-94
Copies of previous I-20s with (or evidence of) CPT or OPT authorization, if applicable
Copies of any previous employment authorization documents (EAD cards), if applicable
Form G-1145, if you are mailing your application and requesting an electronic notification when the USCIS accepts your application (Not applicable if you are filing online)

STEP 7: Track your application. Once the USCIS receives your application, they will send you an electronic notification upon submission (e-filing) and a paper notification within 3 to 5 weeks (both e-filing and paper-filing). You can then check your request status using the receipt number on the USCIS website.

You may also download the OPT Checklist for your reference.

NOTE: We do not recommend students leave the U.S. when your OPT application is pending USCIS approval. If you need to leave the U.S., please speak to an OISS advisor.

After Your OPT is Approved by USCIS

STEP 1: Receive your EAD card and provide a copy to the OISS using the OPT Reporting Form on TC-Compass. Be sure to notify the OISS if:

You do not receive receipts within the timeline above
You notice any mistakes on your EAD card
You get a denial or Request for Evidence (RFE) from the USCIS

STEP 2: Report any changes to your information including your employment details to the OISS using the OPT Reporting Form on TC-Compass within 10 days of the occurrence. Federal regulations require that students on OPT report following changes to their DSO to properly maintain their student status:

mailing address
legal name
employment information

Processing Time

OISS: 14 business days after your application is submitted in its entirety
USCIS: typically 90 days or more. You can check the current processing time on the USCIS website

Note: While the OISS can support your OPT recommendation if you are eligible, the final decision is made by the USCIS.

OPT Job Requirements & Unemployment

Your job must be directly related to your program of study. We recommend that you keep your position offer letter as documentation showing your OPT employment which can serve as evidence of maintenance of your status.

While you are on post-completion OPT, you may not be unemployed for more than 90 days. To ensure that you do not accrue unemployment days, make sure to report your employment to the OISS using the OPT Reporting Form on TC-Compass. If it appears that you have exceeded the regulatory limits of unemployment (90 days), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has authority to terminate your SEVIS record.

Common OPT Denial/Rejection Reasons

Below are the two most common denial/rejection reasons students faced in the last few years. To avoid any potential denial or rejection, make sure to attend our OPT workshop before applying for OPT.

1. You filed your OPT application with USCIS with a wrong I-20

When filing your application with USCIS, you are required to submit a Form I-20 with an OPT recommendation from the DSO. With the introduction of e-filing, students have filed their application without a proper I-20 which led to their OPT rejection. If you are filing online, make sure to pause before proceeding to payment until you receive an updated I-20 with an OPT recommendation from the OISS.

2. You filed your OPT application with USCIS more than 30 days after your OPT recommendation was entered in SEVIS

Federal regulations state that you must file your Form I-765 within 30 days of the date that your DSO enters the recommendation for OPT into your SEVIS record. When you receive an updated I-20 with an OPT recommendation from the OISS, make sure to file it in a timely manner.

H-1B Cap-Gap

The time between the end of F-1 status and the beginning of H-1B employment is referred to as a cap gap. The cap-gap extension is a period in which an eligible F-1 student's status is automatically extended to bridge the gap between the end of F-1 status and the start of H-1B status.

If you are on post-completion OPT and eligible for a cap-gap extension, your F-1 status will be automatically extended and you will be eligible to work while your H-1B is pending approval.

If you are not on post-completion OPT and eligible for a cap-gap extension, your F-1 status will automatically be extended but you will not be eligible to work until your H-1B status is approved.

If you are eligible for a cap-gap extension and would like to obtain an updated Form I-20 reflecting your cap-gap, you will need to submit the OPT Reporting Form through TC-Compass and report the change of your immigration status.

If you have questions regarding an H-1B visa, please consult an immigration lawyer.

ATTENTION: Prior to e-filing your STEM OPT application with USCIS, please ensure you receive an updated Form I-20 with a STEM OPT recommendation from the OISS

F-1 students who completed a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in select government-designated science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields and are currently in a valid period of post-completion OPT may apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if they have an offer of paid employment for at least 20 hours per week from an employer enrolled in E-Verify.

If you earned a previous STEM degree from an accredited U.S. institution, you may be eligible for the STEM OPT extension. You can find the CIP code for your previous degree on page 1 of your I-20 or at the top of page 3 of the previous version of I-20. If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact us.

See the Department of Homeland Security’s STEM Designated Degree Program List to determine if your degree program is a STEM designated program.

Eligibility Requirements for STEM OPT

General Eligibility

You are eligible for one STEM extension per degree level
You are eligible for two STEM extensions in your life time
You must be currently in your initial and approved period of post-completion OPT
You have not exceeded 90 days of unemployment on your current post-completion OPT
If you are applying for a STEM OPT extension for the second time, your degree must be at a higher education level than the degree that served as the basis for your first STEM OPT Extension

Qualifying Degree

You have successfully completed a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in one of the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program. You can find the CIP code of your degree on page 1 of your I-20
You may apply for STEM OPT extension based on the previous STEM degree obtained prior to your current degree if it was conferred within the last 10 years and you were not approved for STEM OPT extension based on the degree

Qualifying Employer

You have a paid job for at least 20 hours per week at each STEM employer that is directly related to your STEM degree
Your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and has an EIN (Employer Identification Number)

STEM OPT Application Timeline

The earliest you can file your STEM OPT application with USCIS is 90 days prior to the end date of your current post-completion OPT. The USCIS must receive your STEM OPT application before your current post-completion OPT expires.

If USCIS receives your STEM OPT application before your current OPT expires, you can continue to work while your STEM OPT application is pending or whichever comes first:

180 days after your post-completion OPT expires, or
Until a final decision is made on your application

STEM OPT Application Procedures

STEP 1: Attend an F-1 STEM OPT Employment Workshop

STEP 2: Complete the STEM OPT Application via TC-Compass. To submit your application successfully, you will need the following:

Form I-983 completed by you and your employer (Instructions for I-983)
Your most recent I-94

STEP 3: Obtain a Form I-20 with a STEM OPT recommendation from the OISS. Once your request is processed, you will receive an updated I-20 via email.

STEP 4: Review your Form I-20 for accuracy and sign the Student Attestation section on page 1 of your I-20 in blue ink. Make sure all of the information, including the requested STEM OPT start and end dates and employer information, is correct. Notify the OISS immediately of any errors.

STEP 5: File your application with USCIS via mail or online. You will need the following documents:

Form I-765 marked with the appropriate code in the Eligibility Category field: (c)(3)(C) (You may refer to the I-765 Guide to complete the form)
I-765 filing fee ($470 for e-filing, $520 for paper-filing)

If paying by check or money order, make payments to the order of “U.S. Department of Homeland Security." Be sure that your name and address are pre-printed on it. Write SEVIS ID on check/money order. Do NOT send your money order separate from the application the money order is for. Your money order should be included with your other application materials.
If filing online, you can pay with your debit or credit card

Passport-style photo of yourself taken within the last 30 days and that has not been previously used for US government-related application. If mailing your application, you will need two identical photos with your name, date of birth, I-94 number, and SEVIS number written on the back. If filing online, you can use the Department of State’s photo composition tools.
Form I-20 with a STEM OPT recommendation from the OISS
Transcripts and copies of diplomas
Copy of your unexpired passport identification page clearly indicating your name, nationality, date of birth, and passport expiration date
Copy of your F-1 visa(s) (except for citizens of Canada and Bermuda)
Copy of your most recent I-94
Copies of any previous employment authorization documents (EAD cards)
Copies of previous I-20s with (or evidence of) CPT or OPT authorization, if applicable
Form G-1145, if you are mailing your application and requesting an electronic notification when the USCIS accepts your application (Not applicable if you are filing online)

Be sure to notify the OISS if:

You do not receive receipts within the timeline above
You notice any mistakes on your EAD card
You get a denial or Request for Evidence (RFE) from the USCIS

After USCIS Approves your STEM OPT Application

STEP 1: Receive your EAD card and provide a copy to the OISS using the STEM OPT Reporting Form on TC-Compass.

STEP 2: Report any changes to your employment to the OISS using the STEM OPT Reporting Form on TC-Compass within 10 days of the occurrence. Federal regulations require that students on STEM OPT report following changes to their DSO to properly maintain their student status: mailing address, legal name, and employment information. See Reporting Requirements below for more information.

Processing Time

OISS: 14 business days
USCIS: typically 90 days or more. You can check the current processing time on the USCIS website

Reporting Requirements

During the 24-month STEM OPT extension period, you are subject to ongoing reporting requirements. You must submit the following using the STEM OPT Reporting Form on TC-Compass:

6-month validation report: Complete a validation report confirming your participation in STEM OPT extension every 6 months. Select STEM Extension Validation Report on the STEM OPT Reporting Form
Annual self-evaluations: Complete page 5 of Form I-983 and submit along with your 6-month validation report
- Initial evaluation (Evaluation on Student Progress) must be completed within 12 months of the STEM OPT start date
- Final evaluation (Final Evaluation on Student Progress) must be completed when your STEM OPT period ends (24 months from the STEM OPT start date) OR at the end of any employment
Any changes to your employment: Submit a new I-983 if you are adding a new employer. Submit a modified I-983 if there are any changes to your existing employer, such as EIN, working hours, and compensation
Any changes to your name or mailing/physical addresses

Unemployment

During STEM OPT extension, you may not accrue an aggregate of more than 150 days of unemployment. This includes unemployment days accrued during the standard post-completion OPT.

F-1 Practical Training