Practical training is available to F-1 students who have been attending a college, university, conservatory, or seminary full-time for at least nine consecutive months. High school and English language program students are ineligible for practical training even if the program is part of a college or university. Practical training is divided into two types, “curricular” and “optional.” Curricular Practical Training (CPT) provides for employment which is an “integral” part of the established curriculum and is usually required or for credit. Optional Practical Training (OPT) provides for employment “directly related to the student’s major area of study”. 

CPT is designed to provide students with an opportunity to gain actual employment experience that is “an integral part of an established curriculum”. Such training is defined as “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. It must be a required or integral part of a study program in order to obtain employment authorization for CPT. To avail CPT, students must have completed 9 months in lawful status and currently be in F- 1 status. The exception is graduate students who are required to start a co-op or internship prior to completing one academic year of study. The Designated School Official (DSO) at the institution completes the employment authorization in SEVIS by indicating with whom the employment will be, the location of the employer, the dates of employment, and whether the employment is full-time or part-time. Employment of 20 hours per week or less is part-time. Employment over 20 hours per week is considered full-time. The student’s I-20 form, I-94 number and unexpired foreign passport is the employment authorization. No further authorization is needed from the Department of Homeland Security. Students are not limited in the amount of curricular practical training they may utilize. However, students who have engaged in one (1) year or more of full-time curricular practical training are ineligible for Optional Practical Training. 

OPT is an opportunity for F-1 students to gain work experience to complement their academic program. All F-1 students are entitled to one year of Optional Practical Training for each higher degree they receive. Students who complete a degree program listed on the STEM Designated Degree Program List may be entitled to a 24-month extension of OPT (36 months total). 

To qualify for the 24-month extension the students’ employer must be enrolled in the E-Verify Employment Verification Program operated by US Citizenship and Immigration Services. OPT for F-1 students can occur under three circumstances: 

1. During the student’s annual vacation and at other times when school is not in session if the student is eligible and intends to register for the next term or session. 
2. While school is in session provided that optional practical training does not exceed 20 hours a week. 
3. Full-time after completion of a program of study. 

This includes students who have completed of all course requirements for the degree (excluding thesis or the equivalent), if the student is in a bachelor, master or doctoral degree program. The first two circumstances are referred to as “pre-completion” OPT while the third circumstance is called “post-completion” OPT.

To engage in OPT employment the student must apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD-Employment Authorization Document) from the DHS Service centre having jurisdiction over their place of residence. This is done with a recommendation through the student’s DSO. 

OPT employment must be related to the student’s field of study. A communication major, for example, is not eligible to work as a computer programmer on OPT. The student may not accept OPT employment until the DHS approves the application and provides the student with an EAD. Employers should be aware that the amount of time it takes the DHS to the EAD is beyond the control of the student or the school. Delays of 90 days or more are typical during the summer months.