Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

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Overview

CPT is an Academic Experience. The experience needs to be integral to a student’s degree program. It is not intended to be used for regular on-going off-campus work. Any off-campus work experience should be authorized, paid or unpaid.

Unpaid internships/field experience/practicum, etc. Even If a work experience is unpaid, it still qualifies as work. It would be limited to 20 hours per week on campus or it would need CPT authorization if it was integral to a student’s degree and an off-campus work experience.

CPT is only for off-campus work experience. Internships performed at an on-campus location do not qualify as an official internship for immigration purposes. It falls under on-campus employment. Students cannot apply for CPT for an on-campus work experience (internship).

CPT and recordkeeping. Students should be mindful to keep all records associated with the CPT application such as the employer letter, the academic work related to CPT, and copies of all CPT I-20s issued. Copies of I-20s will be requested by USCIS when applying later for OPT.

Volunteering. An unpaid internship does not classify it as volunteering. Volunteering is giving one’s time to a civic or humanitarian organization without compensation, and is not in general related to one’s field of study. It does not provide any professional training, and the activities are performed for a non-profit organization.