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Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Important update: August 2026

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) recently issued new guidance regarding CPT eligibility. The guidance reflects a change in the federal government’s interpretation of the regulations governing CPT and establishes a more restrictive standard for when universities may authorize curricular practical training.

Under this new interpretation, CPT may only be authorized when practical training is required for all students enrolled in a program to earn the degree. As a result, internships, practica, clinical experiences, or other forms of practical training that are optional, including those associated with elective internship courses, no longer qualify for CPT authorization.

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Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a work authorization available to F-1 students when the practical training is considered to be an integral part of the curriculum or academic program. Learn about CPT on this page, including eligibility, how to request CPT, and authorization procedures.

What is CPT?

CPT is defined as employment which is related to your studies and is an integral or important part of your curriculum, including: “alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school” [8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)].

Before you proceed with CPT

Do not begin any off-campus employment without prior authorization. ISO isn’t able to grant CPT work permission with an effective start date in the past. Students who would otherwise be eligible for CPT, but begin working before ISO grants specific permission, violate their F-1 status.

Please attend an upcoming Academic Internships During an F-1 Academic Program workshop (dates will be posted on our Events page), or watch the recorded session to learn more about work authorization options available to F-1 students seeking employment opportunities during their studies.

Eligibility and requirements

CPT eligibility
  • You must have been in valid F-1 status for at least one academic year (nine months: two semesters or three quarters) before becoming eligible to apply for CPT. In some cases, full-time study permitted under another status may be used to meet this condition.
  • You must be in good academic standing and continue to make satisfactory progress toward your degree requirements.
  • You must be a current student. You are not eligible for CPT after completing your University of Rochester degree or program requirements.
Academic objectives

All CPT requests are subject to academic approval, even if other eligibility requirements are met. The training activity must achieve a specific academic objective and satisfy an established part of the school’s program.

This falls under one of these categories:

  • Registered course credit for the academic activity
  • Recognized co-op program listed in the University catalog
  • Requirement for all students pursuing a particular degree program

At the University of Rochester, most CPT is tied to course registration (typically credit bearing), that must be extended for each term while the authorization is active. For authorization that extends beyond a single academic term, additional course registration may be necessary.

Full-time vs. part-time authorization

Your CPT authorization will tell you if it’s part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time (no maximum) employment, for a particular employer, dates, and location. You can use CPT multiple times during your studies as long as you meet the academic requirements.

However, it’s important to note that if you accumulate 12 months (365 days) or more of full-time CPT, you lose eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT) at that degree level.

Part-time CPT doesn’t impact OPT eligibility. Students who use less than 12 months of full-time CPT and/or any amount of part-time CPT are still able to apply for F-1 OPT, which is commonly used for work after they graduate.

Remote Internships

Certain remote work and internship activities—whether paid or unpaid—are permitted under CPT, but require prior authorization.

CPT Authorization for Remote Positions

Working remotely while physically inside the United States is still considered employment and must comply with immigration regulations. This includes remote work for a U.S. based employer as well as for a foreign-based employer. Regardless of where the employer is located, if you are inside the U.S. and engaging in work—even remotely—you must have proper work authorization.

Students requesting CPT for remote positions must maintain detailed documentation to support their eligibility. This includes evidence of an active supervisory relationship throughout the authorized period, as well as a clear explanation of how meaningful professional engagement and immersion was achieved despite working remotely.

Internships While Outside the U.S.

For international students conducting internships while physically outside the U.S. with a foreign company or foreign branch of a U.S. company or a U.S. employer U.S. work authorization (CPT or OPT) is not required.

However, it is recommended that your employment offer letter and any additional communication from your employer should clearly state that you will be working from outside the U.S. It’s important to retain this information for your immigration records. In the event of any inquiries regarding your internship, you may explain the arrangement and furnish supporting documentation. Please also note that your U.S. employer may require work authorization (such as CPT) in accordance with their internal hiring policies.

If your internship involves working or training with the foreign company while you are physically in the U.S. , see the section on “CPT Authorization for Remote Positions” since valid U.S. work authorization will be required.

Requesting CPT

To request CPT, please submit the following documents to ISO in URcompass. Submit your CPT request to ISO at least one week in advance of your employment start date to allow for processing.

Offer letter

Submit a detailed offer letter on employer letterhead, including:

  • Official Employer Name (to be listed in SEVIS)
  • Employer’s Address (street address, including US zip code)
  • Address of employment, if different from Employer’s Address
  • Start Date/End Date, and the expected number of hours per week
  • Job title and description of duties
Academic objective

Submit evidence of academic objective, as appropriate.

For most students at the University, internship course registration is required to participate in off-campus employment opportunities. Please talk to your department or school first about the appropriate course registration for your CPT and submit your registration, because it needs to be complete before ISO can process your request. For undergraduate students in the College, please meet with a career advisor at the Gwen M. Greene Center.

All CPTs require one of the following:

  • Course credit: Proof of relevant course registration, such as ALC 290 (Eastman), GBA 490 (Simon), 394/494/594 (ASE, Hajim), CAS 394i (UG College), etc.
  • Co-op program: Registration or copy of University catalogue with co-op details
  • Degree requirement: Copy of University catalogue with degree requirements

It is important to know that CPT cannot be authorized after course requirements, thesis/project or dissertation are completed. Remember, CPT must be an “integral part of an established curriculum”. You are not eligible for CPT if you have completed all degree requirements.

I-94 Admission Record

Please provide a copy of your most recent I-94 record for our review.

The Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record is issued to individuals who are admitted to the United States in a nonimmigrant status. ISO is requesting a copy of your most recent I-94 record.

For most travelers, the I-94 is issued electronically and can be accessed online using your passport information. If you entered the United States through a land border crossing (by car, bus, or similar means), you may also have received a paper I-94 card upon entry.

CPT request form

Then, submit ISO’s Request for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) e-form in URcompass. Your academic department will have to review your submission, so you will be prompted to provide the contact information for your correct academic contact in the form.

If you are unsure who the correct academic contact is for CPT in your school, please reach out to your academic advisor or department administrator to confirm.

Extension of Current CPT Authorization

To extend your current CPT, you must submit the Request for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) e-form in URcompass, including documentation from your employer confirming the new proposed end date (e.g., updated offer letter or email). The request will be reviewed by your academic department before final approval by ISO.

Please note: CPT cannot be authorized retroactively. You may only continue working if your current CPT has not yet expired or you have received an updated I-20 reflecting the new CPT end date.

Authorization procedures

When all eligibility requirements are met and you are able to submit the required documentation, an ISO advisor will authorize the Curricular Practical Training in SEVIS and issue a new I-20.

After your CPT has been authorized in SEVIS, the new I-20 listing the CPT authorization on page 2 will be issued to you. You must print this I-20 and sign/date it in ink. Do not start work until you have received this I-20 and have verified the authorization details on page 2.

You may begin working only after receiving the I-20 with CPT authorization and valid employment dates. When authorized for CPT, you are permitted to work only from the specified beginning date through the specified ending date. You must not continue employment beyond the date authorized unless you apply and are granted an extension of your CPT to work from ISO.

All academic procedures must be followed within your division, including grading requirements for credit-bearing internships.

Ending CPT Authorization Early

If you would like to end your CPT work authorization early, you will need to provide official communication from your employer stating that your employment with them ended on a specific date. The official communication should ideally be a letter on company letterhead, but if this is not possible, email correspondence between you and your employer stating the required information is also acceptable. This documentation should be emailed to your immigration advisor. Once we receive this documentation, we will shorten your CPT and provide you with an updated I-20 to reflect the change.

Please note that we are unable to change CPT authorization end dates if the end date of the original authorization is already in the past. This should not be a cause for worry if you were hoping to get your CPT end date shortened: the CPT authorization simply allows you to work, but does not mandate you to work on each and every day of the CPT authorization.

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