Study in US: Difference between CPT and OPT
The most common question in mind of every student going to US for studying is the work opportunities that are available there. There are two options open for any international student in US – CPT and OPT.
Study in US: Difference between CPT and OPT
The most common question in mind of every student going to US for studying is the work opportunities that are available there. There are two options open for any international student in US – CPT and OPT. CPT is for internship purposes and OPT is for post-study work. However, there exists a lot of confusion among the students regarding these two programs. Since the regulations of both these are really similar, that confusion is bound to exist. Below we provide some points of difference between the CPT and OPT programs.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
CPT allows you to intern in the US during your course period. To work as an intern you need to first find an internship, then the college has to issue a Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to the interning student.
CPT may only be used before completing one’s studies as it is supposed to be undertaken during the curriculum.
You don’t need a different visa for CPT, you can complete your CPT on F1 visa.
Technically speaking, employment or experience must be integral to the established curriculum of the degree program and is seen as supplementing the existing understanding of the curriculum.
Student must be registered for a course related to the employment or experience and vice-versa.
CPT is supposed to be semester-specific; CPT is only authorized on a semester basis i.e. fall, spring or summer CPT. Its duration is from one semester up to 364 days.
Student can work either part-time (20 hours/week or less) when college is in session or full-time during summer break.
CPT is employer-specific i.e. a student can work only for those employers listed on the student’s I-20 and SEVIS.
International Student and Scholar (ISSS) authorizes CPT by issuing a new I-20 with CPT recommendation. Read more here.
Processing time of a CPT is 5 to 7 business days, as is a fairly quick process.
Employment is only permitted for the duration of dates in the CPT recommendation on the I-20 and in SEVIS.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT is a one year work permit given to students after completing degree program in the US. You have to find a job within 90 days after graduation.
OPT may be used during one’s studies (PreCompletion OPT) and after completing one’s studies (Post-Completion OPT). Pre-Completion OPT allows you to work legally before graduation, in case you have finished the entire duration of your CPT period.
Technically, the job must be directly related to one’s major field of study.
No course registration required.
OPT is not semester-specific.
Pre-Completion OPT may be part-time (20 hours per week) when college is in session, full-time during school breaks (winter or summer) or completely full-time (when working on one’s thesis/dissertation). Post-Completion OPT may be authorized for full-time employment.
OPT is not employer-specific and the student can work for any employer as long as the position is related to their field of study.
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and USCIS both must authorize OPT. ISSS issues new I-20 with OPT recommendation. USCIS then issues Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card. Read more here
Processing times for OPT may vary, but it generally takes between 1 to 3 months.
Employment is permitted during the validity dates on the EAD card, after that you will have to apply for H1 visa (work visa).
USCIS requires a $380 application fee to issue the EAD card.
CPT allows you to intern in the US during your course period. To work as an intern you need to first find an internship, then the college has to issue a Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to the interning student.
CPT may only be used before completing one’s studies as it is supposed to be undertaken during the curriculum.
You don’t need a different visa for CPT, you can complete your CPT on F1 visa.
Technically speaking, employment or experience must be integral to the established curriculum of the degree program and is seen as supplementing the existing understanding of the curriculum.
Student must be registered for a course related to the employment or experience and vice-versa.
CPT is supposed to be semester-specific; CPT is only authorized on a semester basis i.e. fall, spring or summer CPT. Its duration is from one semester up to 364 days.
Student can work either part-time (20 hours/week or less) when college is in session or full-time during summer break.
CPT is employer-specific i.e. a student can work only for those employers listed on the student’s I-20 and SEVIS.
International Student and Scholar (ISSS) authorizes CPT by issuing a new I-20 with CPT recommendation. Read more here.
Processing time of a CPT is 5 to 7 business days, as is a fairly quick process.
Employment is only permitted for the duration of dates in the CPT recommendation on the I-20 and in SEVIS.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
OPT is a one year work permit given to students after completing degree program in the US. You have to find a job within 90 days after graduation.
OPT may be used during one’s studies (PreCompletion OPT) and after completing one’s studies (Post-Completion OPT). Pre-Completion OPT allows you to work legally before graduation, in case you have finished the entire duration of your CPT period.
Technically, the job must be directly related to one’s major field of study.
No course registration required.
OPT is not semester-specific.
Pre-Completion OPT may be part-time (20 hours per week) when college is in session, full-time during school breaks (winter or summer) or completely full-time (when working on one’s thesis/dissertation). Post-Completion OPT may be authorized for full-time employment.
OPT is not employer-specific and the student can work for any employer as long as the position is related to their field of study.
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and USCIS both must authorize OPT. ISSS issues new I-20 with OPT recommendation. USCIS then issues Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card. Read more here
Processing times for OPT may vary, but it generally takes between 1 to 3 months.
Employment is permitted during the validity dates on the EAD card, after that you will have to apply for H1 visa (work visa).
USCIS requires a $380 application fee to issue the EAD card.
