Curricular practical training allows international students with an academic student visa (F-1 visa) to obtain employment while enrolled in college. The employment must provide the student with specific skills that pertain to the course of study for their degree. If more than 12 months of full-time work are completed while participating in CPT, the student is no longer eligible for OPT.
OPT allows students to obtain temporary employment. The employment may be authorized for 12 months either before or after completion of the studies. Using part of the 12 months prior to completion of studies will take away from the number of months available for post-completion OPT. For example, if you use six months of pre-completion OPT, you are eligible for six months of post-completion OPT.
Full-time students from other countries who have an academic student visa, called an F-1 visa, are eligible for both CPT and OPT. Completion of the first year of academic study is necessary. Students with the vocational student visa, which is known as an M-1 visa, may participate in practical training after completion of their studies.
Off-campus CPT and OPT employment for either F-1 or M-1 students must pertain to a student's particular area of study. The student's choice of employment must receive authorization from the school's designated Student and Exchange Visitor Information System official and from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.