Maximizing your F-1 visa: A guide to CPT and OPT opportunities
Figuring out how to navigate U.S. student visa and work restrictions is essential to making the most of your study abroad experience. As an F-1 visa holder, you can work on campus part time during the academic year and full time during holidays and breaks. After your first academic year, you can access two off-campus work authorization options: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). A 24-month extension – called the STEM OPT Extension – is also available to international students who receive science, technology, engineering and mathematics degrees. Keep reading to learn how to maximize CPT and OPT opportunities while staying compliant with student visa work restrictions.
CPT vs. OPT: Understanding the basics for student visa work restrictions
CPT and OPT offer opportunities for international students to gain valuable work experience. However, they differ in purpose, eligibility and restrictions.
Curricular Practical Training is designed to gain practical training through internships or cooperative education. CPT for international students is available after your first academic year – unless you’re a graduate student whose program requires a certain type of experience. To be eligible, the CPT opportunity must be:
- Directly related to your field of study
- Considered an integral part of your academic curriculum
- Limited to 20 hours or less per week to maintain part-time employment status
- If you choose to work full time CPT for 12 months or more, you’ll become ineligible for OPT later down the road.
- Used before completing your degree
Optional Practical Training also enables international students to work in the real world in relation to their field of study. However, OPT has a work authorization of up to 12 months and the opportunity for 24 months with a STEM OPT extension. Here’s a couple of key details:
- OPT can be completed before or after graduation.
- The 12-month maximum is cumulative. Any pre-completion OPT will reduce available post-completion OPT.
- The STEM OPT extension is a 24-month period of temporary training that directly relates to an F-1 student’s program of study.
This is not a complete list of CPT and OPT requirements and restrictions. However, understanding these basic nuances can help international students make informed decisions about how to use CPT and OPT strategically.
Can international students do CPT and OPT?
You can use both CPT and OPT as an F-1 visa holder, but careful planning is necessary. For example, if you accumulate 12 months or more of full-time CPT, you’ll lose eligibility for OPT. Additionally, although there’s no CPT limit for part-time employment, excessive CPT usage can increase the likelihood of additional scrutiny when applying for OPT, visa renewals and other Department of Homeland Security (DHS) benefits.
Can CPT and OPT overlap?
CPT and OPT are separate, distinct work authorizations. Therefore, they can’t overlap. CPT must be completed before graduation as part of your academic curriculum. However, OPT can be used both pre- and postgraduation.
To ensure compliance with international student visa regulations, consult your Designated School Official (DSO) when planning for CPT or OPT employment.
How to maximize your F-1 visa with CPT
CPT for international students opens the door to start building a professional network. Since CPT is tied directly to your major or course of study, it’s best to speak with your DSO as soon as possible to identify CPT opportunities that fit your academic and career goals. It’s best to stick with part-time CPT employment to ensure you don’t jeopardize future OPT eligibility. But if you need to work full-time hours, ensure you don’t exceed the 12-month threshold.
Using OPT to your advantage: Pre- vs. post-graduation options
OPT provides international students with up to 12 months of work authorization that can be split between pre- and postgraduation periods. Some F-1 students choose to use OPT in tandem with their studies. However, any time spent on pre-completion OPT reduces available postgraduation OPT.
Therefore, most choose to reserve the majority of their OPT for postgraduation as this is when the most impactful career opportunities typically arise. In fact, the Institute of International Education’s 2024 Open Doors Report found that a record-high number (242,782) of international students stayed in the United States to gain work experience through OPT this past academic year.
To maximize your OPT:
- Use pre-completion OPT sparingly, if at all.
- Work with your DSO early to avoid delays in authorization.
- Apply for 12 months of OPT at each education level (e.g., bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral)
Note that OPT must relate to your course of study, but it doesn’t have to be a program requirement like CPT.
How to get a 24-month STEM OPT extension
If you’re an F-1 student in a STEM field, you might qualify for a 24-month OPT extension. Here’s what you need to know:
- You must be in post-completion OPT to be eligible for the extension.
- Your degree must appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List.
- You must work for an employer enrolled in the USCIS E-Verify program.
Note you can submit required documents, including Form I-765, up to 90 days before your current OPT employment authorization expires.
Get help navigating international student visa and work conditions
Understanding how to effectively leverage CPT and OPT opportunities at the right time in your study abroad journey can accelerate your academic and career goals. Whether you’re planning your first internship or strategizing a STEM OPT extension, MPOWER Financing is here to support you every step of the way. From funding your international education to navigating student visa support tips, we offer resources to help you succeed!
