Curricular Practical Training

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for CPT, you must meet the following criteria:

F-1 status: You must have active F-1 status and have completed one full academic year of full-time study on your current SEVIS record.

Enrollment rules: You must maintain a full-time course load while on CPT, unless your program explicitly requires full-time CPT as a substitute for a full course of study.

Academic link: The internship must either be a mandatory graduation requirement for all students in your major, or fulfil a requirement in a credit-bearing course.

Important Guidelines

1. International Student Services must approve paid or unpaid CPT before you begin employment. (Page 2 on Form I-20 must accurately reflect your employment information.)
2. CPT can only be authorized for one term at a time.
3. CPT can be part-time (20 hours or fewer) or full-time (21 hours or more). *Note that full-time CPT is only granted in certain situations. CPT cannot exceed 20 hours on and off campus while classes are in session, except in certain circumstances.
4. If you complete 12 months of full-time CPT, you will not be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

How to Apply for CPT

1. Meet with your international student advisor to discuss interest in CPT.
2. If International Student Services determines eligibility, complete the CPT Request form and have it signed by your academic, faculty or MAP advisor.
3. Bring a copy of the official employment offer letter to the Center for Global Education along with the completed and signed CPT request form. The letter must be in the following format or it will not be accepted. The letter must be on company letterhead and include:

• • The address where employment will take place (If employment will be remote or hybrid, the letter should reflect this.)
  • The number of hours to be worked per week
  • The start and end dates
  • A brief description of the duties

4. You will receive an email when the new I-20 with CPT authorization is ready.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to some common Curricular Practical Training questions.

What is the difference between CPT and OPT?

The primary differences between Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) are the timing, length of eligibility and who authorizes the work experience.

• Timing: CPT is only authorized for U.S. work experience before graduation. OPT can be authorized for work before or after graduation.
• Duration limits: You are eligible for a maximum of 12 months of standard OPT. CPT duration is not capped by immigration regulations. (However, accumulating 12 months or more of full-time CPT disqualifies you from OPT. Part-time CPT (20 hours or less per week) does not affect OPT eligibility.
• Authorization: CPT is authorized directly by Wheaton’s International Student Services office on your Form I-20. OPT requires formal approval from the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.

When can I start working on CPT?

You may begin working after receiving authorization from the Center for Global Education. Your approved employment start and end dates will be listed on the back of your Form I-20. You do not need separate authorization from the Department of Homeland Security to start working.

Are taxes deducted from CPT paychecks?

Yes, but as an international student with an F-1 visa, you have specific exemptions. U.S. taxes are broken down into three categories:

1. Federal Income Tax: Withheld from your paycheck
2. State Income Tax: Withheld from your paycheck
3. Social Security and Medicare Taxes (FICA): Exempt. Students with an F-1 visa on CPT are generally exempt from FICA taxes unless they qualify as a resident alien for tax purposes.

Our Tax Guidelines page provides answers to frequently asked CPT tax questions. For more information, refer to the IRS Publication 519: Tax Guide for Aliens .

Questions?

For more information about CPT, contact the Center for Global Education to schedule an appointment.