Curricular Practical Training for F1 Students

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Curricular Practical Training for F-1 Students

• University of Oklahoma International Student
  Services
• iss_at_ou.edu
• 405-325-3337
• http//www.ou.edu/iss/

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Before We Begin the Workshop

• Are all attendees in F-1 status?
• Please hold your questions until the end of all
  general information.
• If you have a unique and complicated question,
  wait until the end of the workshop to speak with
  an advisor.

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Important Terms

• DSO Designated School Official OU
  International Student Advisor
• USCIS US Citizenship and Immigration Services
• CPT curricular practical training
• OPT optional practical training
• EAD employment authorization document (card)

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Practical Training Two Types

• An F-1 student may wish to find an internship or
  short-term employment to gain practical
  experience in the field of study.
• To obtain permission for this type of employment
  authorization, the USCIS permits an F-1 student
  to seek authorization for practical training.

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Type 1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

• Internship offered by sponsoring employers
  through agreements with the university that is
  required as an integral part of an established
  curriculum, or will count toward degree
  requirements. CPT is recommended by the academic
  advisor and authorized by the DSO.

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Type 2Optional Practical Training (OPT)

• Temporary employment authorization granted by
  USCIS for practical training that is directly
  related to the students major area of study.
• OPT can be taken during annual summer vacation,
  part-time during regular school session, after
  completion of course requirements or after
  completion of course of study.

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Curricular Practical Training What is it
exactly?

• An F-1 student may wish to find an internship to
  gain practical experience in the field of study.
  To obtain this type of employment authorization,
  the USCIS permits an F-1 student to seek
  authorization from the DSO for curricular
  practical training.

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Curricular Practical Training
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CPT and other work authorization

• Students who use 12 full months of full-time CPT
  become ineligible for OPT under US immigration
  law
• Use of part-time CPT does not affect OPT
• Consider applying for pre-completion OPT if your
  degree program is not eligible for CPT

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Important!

• An F-1 student pursuing recommended not
  required - CPT cannot hold a concurrent,
  part-time, on-campus job during the fall and
  spring semesters. This includes GA appointments.
  Total number of hours worked per week cannot
  exceed twenty during the fall and spring
  semesters!
• If this applies to you, please speak with an
  advisor before you apply for CPT.
• This does not apply to Summer CPT.

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Other considerations

• The internship must be an integral part of an
  established curriculum. This means that the
  internship is
• required for all degree candidates, or
• part of an internship course for academic credit
  towards the degree support letter from academic
  advisor required, or
• required to complete thesis/dissertation
  research results will be included in thesis or
  dissertation - support letter from academic
  advisor required

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CPT Application Process and Deadlines

• Meet with your academic advisor. Does your
  degree program require an internship of all
  students, or will it award internship credit
  toward your degree requirements?
• If your program does not require an internship,
  or will not award credit for an internship, plan
  ahead for pre-completion OPT in your field of
  study
• Enroll in the internship course when your
  enrollment window opens, and before the add/drop
  period closes of the semester in which you wish
  to do CPT
• Gather documents and submit CPT application
  packet to OU ISS allow 10 business days for
  processing
• OU ISS WILL PROCESS NO CPT APPLICATIONS IN A
  CURRENT SEMESTER AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE ADD
  PERIOD FOR THE SEMESTER (the last day of the
  first week of the semester)

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IMPORTANT REGULATION!

• CPT employment authorization is strictly
  regulated under US federal immigration law.
  Working at your internship before the CPT start
  date on your I-20 or continuing internship
  employment (paid or unpaid) after the CPT
  authorization end date on your I-20 IS A SERIOUS
  VISA VIOLATION AND CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF YOUR
  F-1 VISA STATUS.

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Curricular Practical Training application
procedure

• Attend OU ISS CPT/OPT workshop
• Meet with your Academic Advisor request that
  s/he complete the recommendation form, and
  provide support letter, if applicable
• Obtain detailed internship offer letter (see
  template)
• Submit application to OU ISS
• Pick up CPT I-20 after you have been notified via
  email by OU ISS
• DO NOT START THE INTERNSHIP BEFORE YOU ARE
  AUTHORIZED FOR CPT!

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Deadlines to Submit CPT Applications

• Applications due in ISS office by end of first
  week of class
• Submit CPT packets in person to
• OU ISS
• 640 Parrington Oval, 224
• Norman, OK 73019
• Call 325-3337 or email iss_at_ou.edu with questions