Curricular Practical Training (F-1)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is temporary work authorization granted to students in F-1 status. It is designed to enable international students to apply and practice the knowledge and skills gained in their academic programs. CPT must be an "integral part of an established curriculum” and is granted by the International Student & Scholar Advisor (ISSA) in accordance with the Department of Homeland Security and SEVP regulations.

Eligibility

  • Employment must be related to your major field of study and must be an integral part of your studies.
  • You must be in valid F-1 status and enrolled full-time for at least two semesters immediately before applying for CPT.
  • CPT authorization is employer and date specific. CPT is authorized from a specific start date to a specific end date for one specified employer. This means that if your internship changes in any way (different dates, different employer, etc.) you must contact Slater immediately.  You must first obtain CPT authorization from Slater before you begin employment. Failure to do so may be a violation of your status.
    • You have 10 days to notify Slater with any changes or if you decide to cancel your CPT before your internship begins.
  • There is no limit on the amount of time you can be authorized for CPT. However, if you use 12 months or more of full-time CPT you will lose you eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Part-time CPT is not counted against OPT eligibility.
  • You must submit the ELR (Experiential Learning Requirement) Form for Career Education approval in Workday two weeks prior to the end of your internship in order to receive the ELR unit on your transcript. The Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR) must be reflected on your transcript in the semester in which the CPT was authorized in order to maintain immigration status.
  • Please note that MIT work is not considered on-campus employment. In order to work at MIT on a UROP, you must be pre-authorized by Slater before you begin employment.
  • CPT is available for eligible students during the fall, spring or summer semesters.
Spring Internships and CPT

Steps to Apply for Spring Internships and CPT:

**Summer and Fall CPT Application information will be in Workday beginning April 1st. We will update our website again once details are finalized.**

  1. Meet with your International Student & Scholar Advisor (ISSA) at the Slater International Center to evaluate your employment opportunity and to verify that both you and the job meet the CPT eligibility requirements.
  2. Obtain an offer letter of employment from your prospective employer.

The letter must be written on official letterhead, signed, and include all of the following:

  • Company Name
  • Company Address (must be complete, including zip code)
  • Job Title
  • Brief description of the duties
  • Hours per week (20 hours per week or less)
  • Exact start and end dates of employment (your start day must be at least 10 business days in the future)
  • A signature from your employer
  1. Complete the F-1: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Application. You must complete the first section and Career Education must complete the second section.
  1. Upload the following documents to our CPT Application page:
  2. If you do not have a Social Security Number and you are receiving income for your CPT, you must apply for a Social Security Number. Please see our guide for how to apply. You can only apply for a Social Security Number 30 days prior to the start of your internship.
  3. You must submit an ELR Form (Experiential Learning Requirement) for approval two weeks prior to the end of your internship (to Career Education via Workday) in order to have your ELR unit reflected on your transcript in the semester in which the CPT was authorized in order to maintain immigration status. *In order to receive 1 ELR unit the internship requirement is 50-150 hours.  2 ELR units is 151-300 hours.

It can take up to 10 business days to approve and process your complete CPT application and receive your digital I-20 via email.

If your CPT changes in any way (different dates, different employer, etc.) you must notify Slater immediately and no later than 10 days prior to the start of the internship. Failure to do so may be a violation of your status.

YOU MAY NOT BEGIN EMPLOYMENT UNTIL YOU ARE AUTHORIZED FOR CPT

Fall Internships and CPT

**Summer and Fall CPT Application information will be in Workday beginning April 1st. We will update our website again once details are finalized.**

Summer Internships and CPT

**Summer and Fall CPT Application information will be in Workday beginning April 1st. We will update our website again once details are finalized.**

Maintaining F-1 Status While on CPT

Once you have been authorized for CPT, it is important that you understand this benefit, and the rules that govern it. Remember that CPT is employer and date specific. Please read all the CPT information carefully and speak with your International Student Advisor (ISA) if you have any questions.

  1. If your internship changes in any way (different dates, different employer, etc.) you must obtain authorization from your International Student Advisor (ISA). Failure to do so may be a violation of your status. You have 10 days to notify Slater with any changes or if you decide to cancel your CPT before your internship begins.
  2. Your new Form I-20 indicates your employment authorization for CPT on page 2. Please sign and date page 1 of the Form I-20.
  3. Be sure to keep any previous Forms I-20 that you have. Use this new Form I-20 for future travel and re-entry to the U.S. but remember to keep all previous copies of your Forms I-20 in a safe and secure place.
  4. You may only work for the employer specified on your Form I-20 and for the time period specified.
  5. Social Security Numbers are unique identification numbers assigned by the U.S. Federal Government. They are required for those who are employed in the United States. If you do not already have a social security number, you must obtain one after receiving your CPT authorization and prior to your employment start date. For more information, please review the Applying for a Social Security Number page.
  6. If you change your address, you must report your new address to the Slater International Center within 10 days of moving.
  7. Most students who are on CPT and are considered a non resident for tax purposes, are exempt from FICA tax deductions when receiving their paycheck.
  8. You must submit your ELR Form two weeks prior to the end of your internship in Workday in order to receive the ELR unit on your transcript in the semester in which the CPT was authorized in order to maintain immigration status.
  9. CPT is available for eligible students during the fall, spring or summer semesters.