Curricular Practical Training

In the United States, Curricular Practical Training (CPT) provides temporary employment authorization for F-1 visa non-immigrant foreign students while enrolled in a college-level degree program.^[1] Students can receive employment authorization right after enrollment if the college deems the work "integral" to the student's study, such as a major course requirement or internship program.^[2][3][4] CPT allows students to work in both paid and unpaid jobs.^[5]

CPT permission is granted through the institution's International Students Office or equivalent upon approval of the student’s designated school official (DSO), pursuant to regulations established by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.^[6][7] The student must have secured the CPT opportunity prior to authorization.^[4] The student then receives an updated I-20 form once CPT is approved.^[8] There is no fee for CPT work authorization.^[5] Students who receive more than a year of full-time curricular practical training are ineligible for Optional Practical Training. Part-time CPT students who work less than twenty hours a week are still eligible for OPT.^[7] During the summer, students are able to work full-time on CPT if enrolled in a summer session course.^[9]

In 2018, the number of employed international CPT students peaked at 151,525, a 147.7% increase from a decade prior when the number of CPT authorizations was 61,171.^[10] In 2021, there were 91,352 employed CPT workers, a 47% increase from a decade prior.^[11] In 2022, there were 129,849 CPT employment authorizations.^[12]