Popular Science: What are CPT and OPT studying in the United States?

Perhaps for many international students, it may not be clear what CPT and OPT are for studying in the United States. In order to let everyone know more about CPT and OPT in the United States, I hope I can help you!

During studying abroad, part-time job can not only increase knowledge and accumulate social experience, but also save money. Maybe you don't know, in fact, CPT and OPT are completely different things. If CPT times out, OPT cannot be applied.

About working on campus

According to the regulations of USCIS, international students with F 1 student visa can work freely and legally on campus without applying for special permission, but they must have a valid F 1 visa. The working hours per week during the semester are generally limited to 20 hours; Can work full-time on holidays and holidays (up to 40 hours/week). Because the chances of working in school are limited, even if you work in school, this job can't be used as a source of income, and this job can't be linked to your studies. At the same time, you are not allowed to work in the first school year. Before working in a school, ordinary schools need permission from USCIS.

Generally speaking, campus work in the United States is relatively easy, and you can work in university canteens, bookstores, libraries, fitness clubs or administrative offices of universities.

About off-campus work

1, course practice training (CPT)

What are the requirements for applying for CPT?

1) students have obtained full-time student status for one year, and F- 1 student status is valid. In other words, undergraduate students must complete 9 months of full-time study before they are eligible to apply for CPT. For graduate students, there is no such requirement. As long as this degree is required, students can take CPT in the first semester.

2) The work must be very clearly related to the students' field of study, not simply to get paid.

3) If a student has completed all the courses or requirements required to obtain a degree, then the student is not eligible to apply for CPT.

4) Students from English Training Center or ESL are not eligible to apply for CPT internship.

CPT type:

1) required test: that is, CPT internship is an indispensable link for you to complete your studies or get a degree, regardless of whether this CPT can provide you with credits.

2) No: You don't need this training for your degree program, but this internship is very important and can be converted into credits. Warning: If students fail to complete the credit course, they will immediately violate their student status.

According to working hours, CPT can be divided into these two types:

Full-time CPT: working 20 hours or less per week and being a full-time student, this is called part-time CPT. Part-time CPT will indicate in your SEVIS I-20 work authorization that you must also maintain the status of a full-time student.

Full-time CPT: working more than 20 hours a week is full-time CPT. Similarly, I-20 will show this. Students usually take part in this CPT during the summer vacation.

It is not common to use full-time CPT during school in spring or autumn, but it is entirely possible. If you are marked as a full-time CPT, you also need to ensure that you are studying full-time to ensure your legal F 1 student status. But if you studied last semester, it is possible that your number of courses is small, which is allowed.

Tip: If you have participated in full-time CPT for one year or more, you are not eligible to apply for OPT.

The relationship between the deadline of part-time/full-time CPT application and the allowable working date.

For autumn and spring semesters, the start and end time of this CPT must be close to the start and end time of the semester. CPT can't start before the semester starts, and it can't end after the final exam. CPT in summer can't start before the exam on the last day of spring.

What is the application and authorization procedure of CPT?

To apply for CPT, students need to make an appointment with a person in charge of the international student office, and then submit the following documents:

1) The latest copy of I-20, passport, visa and I-94 (front and back).

2)F- 1 CPT recommendation form

3) Letter from employer: Company stationery is required, the employer's address is complete, the start and end dates of the work are defined according to the semester requirements, and the job description is detailed.

I suggest that it may take 10 working days for CPT to take effect, so try to prepare in advance. The work permit of CPT must be obtained before starting work, and students are not allowed to work outside the CPT time specified in I-20. Even working one more day is illegal, and the consequences are very serious.

What is CPT post qualification certification?

When you start working, both you and your employer need to fill it out? Employment qualification verification? (Form I-9) Form shall be kept by the employer. Every time your work permit is updated, you need to update this form, and the employer will provide you with this form.

What documents does CPT need to start working?

1) Social Security Number (SSN). Students need to have SSN numbers so that employers can pay you. Students can contact their international office for information about applying for SSN.

2) Form I-9, the aforementioned work qualification verification form, requires some personal information and work authorization information of students.

Frequently asked questions about CPT:

If your department does not offer special internship courses, or you are not allowed to look for job opportunities outside the school while attending classes, can you apply for CPT?

Answer: You can't apply for CPT, but you can apply for OPT.

Is CPT given by semester?

Answer: CPT is once a semester, similar to registering a course. If you want to postpone after one semester, you need to reapply from the beginning.

Can you postpone OPT internship through CPT internship?

A: It is impossible to postpone OPT internship through CPT internship.

If students regain F- 1 status and have completed 9 months of full-time student experience before, does it take 9 months of full-time study time for students to apply for CPT?

Answer: No.

Do you have to work in the place marked with CPT's work address on I-20?

Answer: Yes.

2. Optional practical training (OPT)

Students with F- 1 visas studying in the United States can work outside the school in the form of optional internships during or after completing their academic projects. Optional internship must comply with the employment regulations of USCIS, and obtain the consent of USCIS and the international student office of the school before applying for internship.

Before applying for OPT, you must apply for employment authorization document (EAD). The Office of International Affairs can help and guide students to apply for EAD. Before applying for EAD, you are not required to have found a job, but you must prepare relevant documents, forms, photos and fees. It takes about 12 weeks to apply for EAD, and students can't start working until they get a work permit. It takes USCIS about 90 days to process student applications. All jobs in the United States are based on the legal F- 1 visa, and the International Student Office can help students keep the F- 1 student visa.

Qualification requirements for applying for OPT:

1) The internship must be related to the majors the students have studied.

2) Have a valid F- 1 visa.

3) Apply for an internship before completing your studies.

4) The internship has been completed for 12 months or more, and you are not qualified to apply for optional internship.

OPT application materials preparation:

1) table I-765.

2) Copies of the first and third pages of the 2)SEVIS I-20 form (with the recommendation letter from the tutor of the International Affairs Office of our school).

3) Copies of the front and back of I-94 card.

4) Two passport photos (write your name and enrollment number in pencil on the back of each photo, put it in an envelope and attach it to the application form).

5) Passport has a copy of personal data page, including the record page of passport extension.

6) Copies of all previously released I-20s.

7) A copy of the previous OPT card or other work card (EAD).

Cost: 340 USD (USCIS check or remittance or personal check, excluding cash).

There are different rules for pre-graduation internship and post-graduation internship:

A. Optional internship before graduation

Must register for full-time study; You can only work 20 hours a week at school; Can do full-time work during the summer vacation and other breaks; Complete all courses, write graduation thesis or do projects, and you can work full-time.

B. Internship after graduation

You can work full-time (40 hours per week) after obtaining the degree, but all optional internships must be completed within 14 months, and USCIS must receive the relevant optional internship application before obtaining the degree.

I hope that the above-mentioned "Popular Science: What are CPT and OPT studying in the United States? "Can help everyone! To provide you with information about studying abroad in time, long press Ctrl+D to collect this site and get the latest information about studying abroad at the first time!

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