The Immigration Service defines curricular practical training as employment which is an "integral part of an established curriculum", including alternative 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.
CPT is restricted to employment that is required for a class or a degree. It is not for employment that is "recommended" by your academic advisor. If you are not satisfying some part of your core or elective program requirements by engaging in this employment, then the employment is not a required part of your program and will not meet CPT eligibility requirements.
CPT cannot be authorized for employment which:
- "is beneficial,"
- "a good opportunity," or
- simply provides the student an additional source of income.
- Job Requirements
- To be considered curricular practical training, the work must not only be related to your major field of study, but must also be an integral or important part of your studies. A work or training experience which is required by your degree program meets the requirements for practical training, regardless of whether or not you receive academic credit for your work. Training which is not required by your degree program may meet the requirements for curricular practical training if you receive academic credit for the employment experience and if it is an important part of your studies. Consult with the Office of Foreign Students & Scholars about your particular academic program before accepting any offer of employment. Specific trainning that is required of all students is generally viewed as a basis for approving CPT
- Student Eligibility Requirements
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- Employment which is part of your degree program. If you are a graduate student maintaining lawful F-1 student status, and if the proposed employment is a required part of your studies, you may apply for permission to engage in curricular practical training at any time. Undergraduate students must be full-time students for nine months before they can engage in curricular practical training.
- CPT is restricted to employment that is required for a class or a degree. It is not for employment that is "recommended" by your academic advisor. If you are not satisfying some part of your core or elective program requirements by engaging in this employment, then the employment is not a required part of your program and will not meet CPT eligibility requirements.
- In order to be eligible to apply for permission to work which is not required part of your study program, you must have completed nine months of full-time study in order to be eligible for any time of curricular practical training.
- English language students. Students enrolled in English language training programs are not eligible for curricular practical training.
- Full-time permanent employment does not qualify for CPT.
- INDEPENDENT STUDY
- Students are allowed to arrange for independent studies with their departments. In many cases the independent study does not satisfy any academic core or elective requirements. That type of independent study does not "count" for CPT. HOWEVER, if the independent study will satisfy an elective requirement, it could be considered. A Departmental Independent Study application form will need to be completed and approved by the department that verifies that the independent study is required for the degree.
- Part-time vs. Full-time Curricular Practical Training
- Part-time Training. Employment for 20 hours or less per week while you are enrolled for classes is considered part-time curricular practical training. The employment authorization written on the back of your I-20 ID copy will specify permission to engage in part-time training and you must limit your work to no more then 20 hours per week. There is no limitation upon the length of time you may participate in part-time curricular practical training, but you must be simultaneously enrolled in order to maintain lawful F-1 status.
Full-time Training. Employment for more than 20 hours per week is considered full-time curricular practical training, regardless of whether you are enrolled full-time or part-time classes. The employment authorization on your I-20 ID copy will specify permission to participate in full-time training. There is no limitation upon the length of time you may participate in full-time curricular practical training; however if you participate in twelve months or more of curricular practical training you will not be eligible for optional practical training. CPT is employer specific. You may only work for the company listed on your I-20
- Application and Authorization Procedures
- Your first step is to contact the Office of Foreign Students & Scholars (OFSS) advising staff to evaluate you eligibility for curricular practical training for the proposed employment opportunity. To determine whether or not both you and the job meet the eligibility requirements,
- provide a letter offering the employment, and
- provide signed Academic Adviser Recommendation for Curricular Practical Training form.
You must not continue employment beyond the date authorized unless you apply and are granted an extension of your permission to work.
- Social Security Numbers
- If you plan to work in the U.S. you will need a valid Social Security number (your Delaware temporary ID is not a valid Social Security Number). To apply, please come to OFSS to get an authorization form to take to the local Social Security Office. The Social Security Administration will process your application and a number will be sent to you in about 2 weeks.
- Taxes
- In general F-1 students who have been in the U.S. for less than five years are exempt from social security taxes (also known as F.I.C.A. tax). You should be sure to bring this to the attention of your employer because many employers are not familiar with this provision of the tax laws. If you need more information about the F-1 social security tax exemption, please contact OFSS.
Students in F-1 status are subject to all other taxes that may apply: federal, state, and local.
- Employment Eligibility Verification
- Within the first three days of beginning work you and your employer must complete a form entitled Employment Eligibility Verification (INS Form I-9). This form will be kept on file by your employer and must be updated each time you receive a renewal of your work permission.
- Failure to Comply with Employment Regulations
- It is your responsibility to comply with all immigration regulations which apply to F-1 students, including employment regulations. Working without the proper authorization is a serious violation of your student status. If you fail to comply with your responsibilities you may not be eligible for benefits normally granted to F-1 students and, in some situations, may be subject to deportation. Prior to accepting any employment in the U.S., we urge you to consult with the Office of Foreign Students & Scholars.