International Students Can Work in the U.S With Day 1 CPT

Sure, some people can go to school and not think about working while they study, but let’s be real, that is not the reality for many. Additionally, working while studying might help you gain some advantage in the professional field, plus, for international students one of the major concerns is the “after-graduation employment rate.” Being able to secure a job before graduation can definitely help. So, you might be asking: can you work with a student visa? International students with F-1 visas can legally work in the United States through two systems, one is CPT and the other is OPT. 

Let us tell you about Day 1 CPT, also referred to as CPT from Day 1, or immediate CPT. It is a program that some U.S universities offer that allows international students with F-1 visas to begin Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization immediately. This means that students would be able to work off-campus right from the first day of their programs. Typically, international students must be enrolled in a program for more than a year before they are eligible to use CPT, but students that have already completed a degree in the country may automatically meet this requirement! Similarly, the USCIS official guidelines state that Day 1 CPT is legal when it is a requirement for the academic program. The universities Designated School Officials have the right to determine the CPT eligibility of their students, meaning that it is up to each university to determine which programs qualify for the Day 1 CPT option. It is very important that international students look into their university and choose a trustworthy Day 1 CPT university if they wish to use the program to gain work experience.

Day 1 CPT Eligibility

To be eligible to work under a Day 1 CPT, students must have a valid F1 status. It’s very important you know that a F1 visa is NOT the same as an F1 status. A valid I-20 is a must.

Students must have a job offer to request authorization on their CPT.

The job description of the CPT internship must be closely related to the student’s program at their Day 1 CPT university.

The CPT application must be approved by the student’s DSO.

The student cant only work after they have received the CPT I-20.

Throughout their work, students must maintain their GPA at 3.00 or above.

Students must renew their CPT authorization per their university’s rules.

How to Apply

1. Get a job offer
2. Register for a CPT course
   1. Usually, for students to enjoy their CPT they must register for a CPT course first.
3. CPT I-20
   1. Once the CPT application is approved by the CPT school, students receive their I-20.
4. Renew the CPT
   1. Before the end of each semester, schools will send CPT renewal reminders. Renewing the CPT in a timely manner is extremely important, as not doing so might mean losing the working status.