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What is OPT and CPT in the USA?

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Most students across the globe aspire to study in the USA because of the top-ranked institutions and the education system. In addition, students look for international exposure and on-the-job training experiences these days. International work experience, internships, research experience, etc., dramatically boosts a student’s resume and is highly valued by employers globally.

Keeping this aspect in mind, the US education system offers an opportunity to international students enrolled in US institutions to participate in co-ops, internships, part-time and even full-time jobs. International students require authorisation from the concerned authorities. It can be authorised by their school’s international office or USCIS (United States Citizenship & Immigration Services). There are three kinds of employment authorisation options for international students called CPT (Curricular Practical Training), OPT (Optional Practical Training), and on-campus employment.

OPT (Optional Practical Training)

This provision is offered by the USCIS, where full-time international students on F1 visa status may obtain temporary employment which is directly related to the student’s major. Students may avail of up to 12 months of employment authorisation for non-STEM graduates. STEM graduates may be eligible for 24 months extension in addition to the initial 12-month OPT. International students on F1 Visa status may be eligible to avail of the OPT period in the below-mentioned ways:

Pre-completion OPT
Students who have been lawfully enrolled at a US institution certified by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) may choose to avail of the pre-completion OPT. However, they must fulfil the condition; completion of one full academic year in the US in an institution that meets the criteria mentioned above.

Students who have been authorised to avail of the pre-completion OPT can work up to 20 hours a week while the school is in session or work full-time when the school is not in session.

Sometimes companies wish to extend the employment of the student. At this point, they need to switch from an F-1 visa to an H-1B visa. A cap-gap extension allows students to stay in the USA at the time of the end of F-1 to the beginning of H-1B.

Note: All periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.
Post-completion OPT

Students may choose to apply for post-completion OPT after the successful completion of their studies. The students must work at least 20 hours a week or full-time if authorised.

Note: STEM graduates may choose to apply for a 24-month extension on their post-completion OTP Employment Authorization.

CPT (Curricular Practical Training)

CPT is a provision that allows international students on an F1 non-immigrant VISA status to participate in internships, co-ops, projects, etc., offered by employers that are in a cooperative agreement with the respective school. This, however, needs authorisation from the DSO (Designated School Official).

To know more about CPT and OPT, you can get in touch with your designated school official and seek guidance from our IDP’s international education experts. They will also help you with the admission process.

Difference between OPT and CPT

	CPT	OPT
Objective	CPT permits F-1 students to gain practical experience before graduating	OPT permits F-1 students to gain practical experience in the same field after graduation
Conditions	It's a part of the degree program	OPT is not related to the program
Training plan	At the time of enrolment	After graduation
Authorisation	Requires permission from ISS (International Social Service) and the academic department	Requires permission from USCIS (US government)
Mode of application	Online	Paper
Employment duration	Up to 12 months	12 months and can be extended up to 24 months
Employment Authorisation Document (EAD)	Does not get EAD from USCIS	Student will get EAD from USCIS after getting approval
Application fee	No application fee	An application fee of $410 to USCIS
Working part-time or full-time	It can be either part-time or full-time During school: 20 hours During Summer break: 40 hours	OPT is full time post graduating
Employment type	Can work with any employer across the US	Can work with employers featured on the I-20 list and the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)

Documents required for OPT and CPT

Here are the documents required the basic documents required by the institution:

CPT (Curricular Practical Training)

CPT online workshop completion certificate
Academic recommendation form
Training certificate from your employer
I-20 present copy
Electronic form I-94 printout

OPT (Optional Practical Training)

2 passport-size photographs
I-765 (original)
Current passport copy
A printout of the I-94
Copy of OPT recommendation and I-20
Copies of all the earlier issued I-20s
Any earlier issued EAD cards' copies
F-1 visa stamp copy on passport

Still, confused about OPT and CPT? You can get in touch with our international education experts who will help you explain in detail about the OPT and CPT process.