What is the difference between CPT and OPT?
As an international student in the United States, you have the option of gaining practical work experience through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). Both CPT and OPT allow international students to engage in meaningful work in a variety of fields and industries.
CPT is primarily for internships before you graduate, whereas, OPT lets you seek employment before or after you complete your degree. Here’s a closer look at each and the difference between CPT and OPT.
What is CPT?
CPT allows international students to gain practical experience through internships or cooperative education. You can only take part in CPT if the work opportunity is required by your academic program.
Your employer will have an agreement with your school and may offer part-time or full-time work. If you choose to work full time for 12 months on CPT, you’ll lose your eligibility for OPT. However, working part time on CPT won’t disqualify you from OPT.
CPT requirements
To be eligible for CPT, you must have studied as an F-1 visa student for at least one year and be enrolled at a SEVP-certified college or university. You also must take part in training that relates directly to your major area of study and is required for graduation.
You’ll have to secure the training opportunity before you get CPT authorization. Try to apply at least two weeks before you wish to start working, as the authorization process might take seven to 10 days.
What is OPT?
OPT also lets you gain practical work experience related to your major of study, but your academic program doesn’t need to require this training. You can work under OPT for up to 12 months before or after you graduate. If you work while school is in session, you can take on up to 20 hours per week. Otherwise, you can work full time.
Using OPT prior to graduation is known as Pre-Completion OPT, whereas working after is Post-Completion OPT. STEM majors may also be eligible for a STEM OPT extension, allowing them to extend their Post-Completion OPT for up to 24 months.
OPT requirements
To be eligible for OPT, you must have been a full-time student for a minimum of one year and seek a job that relates to your major of study. To get work authorization, you must receive an I-20 form with a recommendation for OPT from a school official.
Once you have this form, you’ll need to apply via Form I-765 with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to get work authorization. You can start working after USCIS issues your Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
Apply for your EAD at least three months before you want to start your job, since USCIS can take 90 days or longer to process your application. You’ll need to pay taxes on income you make through your OPT employment and will fill out a W-4 tax form with your employer before you get your first paycheck.
What is the difference between CPT and OPT?
While both CPT and OPT allow international students to engage in meaningful work experiences related to their course of study, these programs have some key differences. Here’s how they compare.
- Academic requirements: You can only work on CPT if the internship or other training opportunity is required by your academic program. Work through OPT, on the other hand, will be related to your course of study, but it’s not required to earn your degree.
- Employment timing: CPT must be completed before you graduate, whereas OPT can be before or after you leave school. As mentioned, working 12 months full-time for CPT will mean you lose eligibility for OPT.
- Authorization requirements: The OPT program requires you to apply for employment authorization through USCIS. CPT does not have this requirement.
- Application fees: CPT does not have additional fees outside of your student visa requirements and tuition, whereas submitting an application to USCIS for OPT requires a fee of US$410.
Final thoughts on working in the U.S.
The CPT and OPT programs give international students the opportunity to gain real-world experience working in their chosen field. CPT involves working an internship or gaining training that’s required by your major to graduate, whereas OPT lets you work in your chosen field before or after you graduate with your degree.
Besides CPT and OPT, students with a F-1 visa are allowed to work on-campus starting 30 days after their program starts. Your visa permits you to work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session in roles at your library, bookstore, cafeteria or other campus locations. This type of work is meant to be a supplemental form of funding (when relevant) and to gain practical experience. Those who need more comprehensive forms of financing will want to further explore scholarships and loans for international students.
If you have questions about working in the U.S., your school’s international student services office should be able to point you in the right direction. Exploring your options early will help you meet any CPT or OPT requirements and land an internship or job in your chosen field.
This information was gathered in November 2023. Please confirm any changes since this period from the CPT and OPT sources above. For more information, check out our guide to working in the U.S. as an international student.
