Curricular Practical Training for F-1 Students

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Curricular Practical Training for F-1 Students

• LA Southwest College International Student
  Services Programming
• groschda_at_lasc.ecu
• 323-241-5277
• http//www.lasc.edu

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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 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 or PDSO.

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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
Preconditions Lawfully enrolled as full-time student for one academic year (fall spring semester). Location Employed only by specific internship employer, location, and for specific dates as approved by DSO. Duration Approval granted each semester. Must reapply prior to each semester if interning multiple semesters. Hours/Week CPT approved for part-time (20h or less per week) or full-time (20 hours per week). Full-time CPT granted for summer semester only.
Field Must be an integral part of curriculum and count toward degree requirements (required or recommended).. Offer of Employment Must obtain specific internship offer letter before applying for CPT. Enrollment Enroll in and complete at least 1 credit hour required for the internship. Minimum enrollment requirements apply in spring and fall semesters. Approval Receive work authorization from DSO on I-20 before internship begins.
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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. 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 LASC ISS allow 10 business days for
  processing
• LASC ISS WILL PROCESS NO CPT APPLICATIONS IN A
  CURRENT SEMESTER AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE ADD
  PERIOD FOR 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 LASC 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 LASC ISS
• Pick up CPT I-20 after you have been notified via
  email by LASC ISS
• DO NOT START THE INTERNSHIP BEFORE YOU ARE
  AUTHORIZED FOR CPT!

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SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SSN) TAXES

• If you find PAID employment or if you are
  approved for OPT or Severe Economic Hardship, you
  will need to apply for a Social Security Number
  through a Social Security Administration Office
  http//www.ssa.gov/
• When you find employment, you will need to file
  taxes for every year you work. If you need
  assistance, seek a tax accountant. Form you may
  need
• Form 1040EZ or 1040NR (Income Tax Return)
• Form 8843 (statement for Exempt Individuals)
• Form 843 (refund for Medicare Social Security)

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Deadlines to Submit CPT Applications

• Applications due in ISS office before the 2nd
  week of class
• Submit CPT packets in person to
• LASC ISS
• Room 116, Student Services Building Call
  323-241-5277 or email groschda_at_lasc.edu with
  questions