Starting last fall semester, students who previously took online classes in China have been gradually returning to the U.S. to continue their studies.
However, many students are concerned and confused about whether they can still use CPT/OPT after returning to the U.S., especially graduate students with only two years or even shorter program durations.
February and March are the peak months for finding summer internships. Today, we’ll take a detailed look at the scope and application requirements for CPT and OPT.
Comparison Between CPT and OPT
CPT
CPT stands for Curricular Practical Training, which is a work authorization allowing students to work off-campus during their studies.
Students can participate in curricular practical training before graduation, which can be used for academic credit. Generally, schools require students to register for a related course, such as an internship, to receive credit.
OPT
OPT stands for Optional Practical Training, which serves as a transition between F-1 and H-1B status.
OPT is still under the F-1 visa and is an internship permit that F-1 visa holders can use after graduation.
For regular majors, it is valid for 12 months; STEM program students can apply for a 24-month extension after the first year, totaling 36 months.
CPT Application Guide
CPT Classification
By work hours
• Full-time CPT: Up to 40 hours per week, applicable during breaks.
• Part-time CPT: Up to 20 hours per week, applicable during spring or fall semesters.
By school requirement
• Required: Some programs require students to participate in CPT to graduate, whether or not it counts for credit.
• Optional: Schools do not mandate participation; if students choose to do CPT, it can be used for credit.
Application Requirements
• Generally, you must have completed one year of full-time study (9 months) in the U.S. Note that this time does not include online coursework taken in China.
- For students who started in-person classes in Fall 2021, the earliest they can do a CPT internship is Summer 2022.
- For students who started in Fall 2020 but took online classes in China for a year and returned to the U.S. in Fall 2021, if their program is not yet over, the earliest they can use CPT is Summer 2022.
• The internship job must be related to the student's major.
• You need to have a job offer.
Application Materials
To apply for CPT, you generally need:
• Passport, visa, I-20, I-94
• CPT application form: Obtain the form from the International Student Office, and it needs to be signed by your academic advisor.
• Job offer: Includes company letterhead with the company name, address, internship job description, internship duration, weekly work hours, salary, and relevant information about the supervisor.
Important Notes
• CPT is for off-campus work; on-campus jobs do not require CPT.
• If you engage in full-time CPT for more than one year, your OPT eligibility will be revoked.
• You can hold multiple CPTs simultaneously if working for multiple employers.
OPT Application Guide
OPT Classification
• Pre-completion OPT (used before graduation)
You can apply after completing one full academic year.
• Post-completion OPT (used after graduation)
Can be part-time (20 hours or less per week) or full-time.
Note: Any time used for Pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the total OPT period.
For example, if you have one year of OPT and use 10 months of pre-completion OPT, you will only have a maximum of 2 months of post-completion OPT.
Application Requirements
• You must have completed one year of full-time study (9 months) in the U.S. Like CPT, this time does not include online coursework taken in China.
- For students who started in-person classes in Fall 2021, the earliest they can apply for OPT is Summer 2022.
- For students who started in Fall 2020, took online classes in China for a year, and returned to the U.S. in Fall 2021, if their program is not yet over, the earliest they can apply for OPT is Summer 2022.
- If graduation is still a long way off, it is recommended to apply for CPT first.
• The internship job must be related to the student's major.
• Unlike CPT, you can apply for OPT even without a job offer.
Application Materials
• Before applying for OPT, you need to request a new I-20 from your school.
• Materials for OPT application include:
Passport and visa, two recent photos (passport-style, but cannot be used for a passport), all I-20s, I-94, I-765 (OPT application form), G-1145 form, $410 application fee (personal check or money order), etc.
Important Notes
• The OPT start date must be within 60 days after the graduation date. If you do not find a full-time job within this period, you must take an internship or part-time position.
• Your employment start date must be after the OPT start date.
• If you accumulate more than 90 days of unemployment during your OPT period, your F-1 status will be invalidated, and you must leave the U.S. immediately.
• You can use OPT after earning a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree, but OPT cannot be stacked for the same degree level. For example, if you earn two master's degrees, you only get one OPT period.
• Remember to file taxes.
Keep These Key Steps in Mind
Communicate with Your School at All Times
CPT and OPT applications are generally processed after confirming details with your school's International Student Office.
If you have any related questions, especially whether previous online study under special circumstances affects your application, please contact your school immediately.
You can search "[University Name] + CPT/OPT" to find each school's specific requirements and contact information.
Apply for a Social Security Number (SSN)
After finding a job (whether through CPT or OPT), you need to visit the Social Security Office to apply for an SSN in order to receive wages.
An SSN can be used to apply for credit cards, driver's licenses, file taxes, and more.
If you already have an SSN (meaning you've previously participated in CPT), you need to provide it when applying for OPT. If you don't have one, you can choose to apply for an SSN simultaneously when applying for OPT.
Apply for the EAD Card Early
The EAD card is an Employment Authorization Document, a temporary work permit issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to non-immigrants.
Once USCIS approves your OPT application, they will issue an EAD Card, and you can start working after receiving it. Although EAD Card processing times have been gradually returning to normal recently, it is still recommended to apply early to avoid delays.
If you haven't received your EAD card after 90 days, it's advisable to contact USCIS promptly to check your application status.
Pay Attention to the Grace Period
After completing your studies and when OPT expires, you have a 60-day grace period as a buffer. If you do not obtain work authorization or a new work visa by the end of the grace period, you must leave the United States.
Furthermore, if you leave the U.S. during the grace period after graduation, your F-1 status will be invalidated, and you will no longer be able to apply for OPT.
Many students have already started looking for summer internships.
If you just returned to the U.S., you may not yet meet the internship requirements. Be sure to do your homework in advance, ensure you meet the application requirements before starting an internship, and avoid affecting your job search plans.
Wishing everyone success in both academics and career!
