11/4/2008

There are two types of Practical Training as applied to the F-1 student: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). Students enrolled in an intensive English language program are not eligible for Practical Training. Both OPT and CPT may be granted for part-time and full-time employment. 

In addition, to be eligible, the student must have been enrolled one full academic year prior to apply for training authorization. There are some graduate programs that require participation in CPT during the first year of study. In such a case, CPT may be immediately available to the student who has not met the requirement to be enrolled for a full year. 

CPT may not be authorized without a job offer from a specific employer. While there is no limit on the maximum time allowed for CPT, it has to be completed before the program end date. The most important caveat is that one year of full-time CPT employment eliminates eligibility for OPT. In addition, an F-1 student who has had full-time CPT authorization for one calendar year, will not be eligible for OPT authorization. Part-time CPT does not affect the student's eligibility for OPT. 

OPT is available both pre- and post-completion of study. Classes of students not eligible for pre-completion OPT include students enrolled in intensive English language programs who are not eligible for any practical training and F-3 "border commuter students" (i.e. students who live in Mexico or Canada while attending U.S. colleges or universities). 

An F-1 student is eligible for twelve months OPT per academic level. A student with a degree classified as within science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) may be eligible for a 17-month extension, as discussed below. The twelve months of OPT should be completed within 14 months after graduation. This means that a student may apply for the OPT start date two months after graduation. 

This time should not be confused with the 60-day grace period for which the student is eligible after the OPT end date. In addition, a student must apply no sooner than 90 days before becoming eligible for either pre-completion or post-completion OPT and no later than 60 days after graduation for post-completion OPT. The OPT application must be received by the USCIS no later than 30 days after the DSO made a recommendation for OPT. 

An F-1 student may engage in on-campus employment during her/his studies, not to exceed 20 hours per week. No authorization is required from the Designated School Official (DSO) at the student's school or from the USCIS. Additionally, in some very limited circumstances, an F-1 student may receive authorization to engage in off-campus employment that is affiliated educationally with the school. An example would be when a student's graduate research assistantship involves working off-campus under the supervision of his/her professor.