Curricular/Optional Practical Training Center for Global Education (CGE)
CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING (CPT)
CPT: Definition CPT is: CPT (Curricular Practical Training) is off-campus work authorization that can be granted to international students on the F-1 Student Visa to work in the United States. The training must be considered to be an integral part of an established curriculum (CFR Sec. 214.2(f)(10)), directly related to the student s major area of study and entirely based on eligibility. Training refers to paid or credit-bearing internships or employment. According to immigration regulations, CPT may be an internship, practicum, or other work experience that is required for a degree program. It is temporary employment that is an integral part of an established curriculum Participating in CPT does not disqualify you from participating in OPT as long as you do not exceed 364 days of CPT
CPT For an internship to be considered as curricular practical training, the work must be related to your major field of study and an integral part of your degree program. Therefore, training that is required by your degree program always meets the requirements for curricular practical training. The cost to apply for CPT is nothing.
CPT: Eligibility Currently in F-1 status Full-time student for one full academic year Must be directly related to area of studies Students must have declared a major.
What is the process of applying for CPT? 1. Make an appointment with CGE 2. Bring the following information with you: a. All previous and current copies of your I-20 form b. Copies of your Passport, visa and I-94 form c. A copy of the job offer letter you received from the employer. The job offer letter must contain the following information: -Student s name -The company s name -A statement of the job offer -The number of hours to be worked [or full or part-time specified] -The beginning and end dates of the employment -The physical location of the employment -The letter must be on the company s letterhead d. Letter on letterhead from a professor or faculty advisor stating that the internship is related to the major and an integral part of the degree.
CPT: Requirements 1. Meet with a Career Advisor in the Filene Center 2. Develop a resume and complete other application requirements. 3. Meet with CGE to verify internship eligibility 4. Obtain approval from any other necessary offices 5. CGE reviews information, employment and faculty letters and authorizes CPT. Update I-20 is printed with CPT authorization 6. Student presents I-20 to employer as proof of employment authorization.
What are the limitations of CPT? CPT is approved for a specific employer and time period. The student may not change employers or extend training without prior authorization from the Center for Global Education. The student must repeat the CPT application process in its entirety for each internship. Students are not permitted to work beyond the approved CPT dates until he/she receives a new I-20 with CPT authorization. The student cannot exceed 12 months of CPT; otherwise, they will forfeit their Optional Practical Training.
CPT: Authorization
CPT: Considerations Must not continue employment beyond the date authorized on I-20 Any change in employer would need prior CGE approval If more time needed, apply for and be granted a new I-20 with the approval prior to CPT expiration date. The student CANNOT begin training until he/she has received the new I- 20 with CPT authorization from the Center for Global Education. This should be at least one week prior to the start date of the CPT. Part-time CPT is authorized for employment not to exceed a total of 20 hours per week. Full-time CPT is authorized for employment over 20 hours per week. Only for when classes are not in session
OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING (OPT)
OPT: Definition Temporary employment in student s field of study intended to provide practical experience that enhances the classroom education Not required to be an integral part of an established curriculum
OPT: Different Types Pre-Completion OPT: During the annual vacation While school is in session, provided employment does not exceed 20 hours per week Post-Completion OPT: After completion of course requirements, excluding a thesis/dissertation or final project After completion of all academic program requirements 24-Month STEM OPT Extension: Available following standard post-completion OPT for certain students with a degree in a STEM field
OPT: Eligibility and Limitations Eligibility: Full-time student for one full academic year Currently in F-1 status You must be able to justify how the position or type of work you are seeking directly relates to your major as indicated on Form I-20. You do not have to have a job offer to apply for OPT. Limitations: 12 months of standard OPT per degree level OPT employment must be in student s field of study Full- or part-time (part-time OPT deducted at ½ rate; part-time OPT for pre-completion only) 12 months or more of full-time CPT= No OPT
OPT: Employment Student may not begin employment until: S/he has obtained an EAD from USCIS; The OPT start date (according to EAD) has arrived; and S/he has completed all course requirements for the program of study (Post-Completion OPT only) Qualifying Post-Completion employment : Must average at least 20 hours a week May be paid or unpaid (so long as the unpaid position meets U.S. Labor law standard for strictly volunteer work) May have multiple employers and may change employers provided all employment is directly related to area of study
OPT: Unemployment Pre-Completion OPT: No limit on unemployment Post-completion OPT (max. 12 months): No more than 90 days of unemployment STEM Extension OPT (max. 36 months): No more than 150 days of unemployment Accumulation of more than the allotted amount of unemployment days constitutes a violation of F-1 status.
OPT: Reporting Requirements Students on post-completion OPT must report to the DSO within 10 days, changes in: Legal name Local U.S. residential address Employer information* Periods of unemployment *Submit the CGE OPT Update form (available in your OPT packet)
OPT: Travel and Re-entry While on Post-Completion OPT, student is required to present at the U.S. Port of Entry: Valid passport and F-1 visa (unless exempt) I-20 with travel signature (valid 6 months); Employment Authorization Document (EAD); Employment letter (if returning to the U.S. after the employment start date listed on the EAD). If outside the U.S. for more than 5 months, F-1 status and OPT authorization both end.
OPT: COMPLETING THE APPLICATION Two Passport Type Photographs (put your name and SEVIS number on the back of each photograph) Forms I-20. Photocopies of all previous Forms I-20 issued by Wheaton and other schools you have attended (this includes High School) Photocopy of any previous EAD Card(s) Photocopy of Form I-94 (retrieved from www.cbp.gov/i94) Photocopies of your passport identification pages and visa $380 Fee in the form of a check or money order payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security. If you are using a personal check, it must have your name and address on it. If outside the U.S. for more than 5 months, F-1 status and OPT authorization both end.
STEM: OPT 24 month extension The 12-month limit on OPT can be extended by 24 months, for a total of 36 months, for certain students with a degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) field.
STEM: Extension Requirements Completed a Bachelor's, Master's, or doctoral degree in a field on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List Currently participating in a period of Post-Completion OPT At time of application, must have a job offer from employer enrolled in E-Verify system (U.S. government program). Employment during STEM extension MUST be paid. Application submitted before end date of current OPT (USCIS recommends you apply up to 120 days before your OPT expiration)
STEM: Reporting Requirements STEM Extension 6-Month Reporting: Students are required to verify their employment every 6 months after the STEM extension begins. Failure to do so will result in the termination of a student s F-1 status. Update CGE with changes: Students are required to update CGE within 10 days of any changes in: employment, U.S. address, and/or immigration status.
OPT/STEM: Application Process 1. Student applies for OPT recommendation at CGE 2. DSO or PDSO verifies student s eligibility 3. DSO or PDSO issues new I-20 with OPT recommendation and signs I-20 4. Student signs I-20 and sends application materials to USCIS 5. USCIS service center adjudicates the application 6. USCIS approves application and sends EAD
OPT/STEM: Form I-765 (c) (3) (b) for OPT applications and (c) (3) (c) for STEM applications
OPT/STEM: Recommendation OPT and STEM recommendations are listed on page 3 of Form I-20
OPT: Authorization -- EAD card When can you start working? 1. Received EAD card in the mail. 2. Start date on the card has been reached. Work outside the authorization dates is a violation of F-1 status.
The 90 day rule- what s true, what s not True or False? If you do not obtain a job in 90 days you will get kicked out of the United States. FALSE Valid jobs include anything that is related to your field of study. TRUE You can participate in freelance work, a paid internship or an unpaid internship as long as it is for at least 20 hours per week. TRUE
Testing your OPT skills True or False? Getting a part-time job as a bartender is ok to make a little extra money. FALSE If you want to transfer to another school after your OPT experience you should contact CGE by the last day of your 60 day grace period. TRUE If you have been hired and need to start working before the start date on your OPT card you can. FALSE
Announcements : I-94 Record www.cbp.gov/i94 Print out I-94 every time you enter the U.S. If you enter via a land port of entry, you still get an I-94 form.
Remember Good rule to follow: When/if in doubt ASK Questions