Are you studying or planning to study in the United States and wondering what your options for work are, as an international student? Maybe you’ve come across the terms CPT or OPT and you’re wondering what they mean and how they’re different.
Let’s take a closer look at the different ways F-1 international students can work while studying in the US. We’ll share where you can work, how many hours you can work, and some differences between CPT vs OPT.
Note: This information is aligned with guidance for F-1 international students. Other international student visa classes in the US, such as J and M, have different rules. For the most up-to-date information, visit the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
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On- and Off-Campus Work in the US
The United States has strict rules for international students who want to work during their studies, especially around working off campus. That said, F-1 students who want to work only on campus must still get official authorization. Students looking to work off campus have further restrictions, which we’ve highlighted below.
On-Campus Work
On-campus employment is work that takes place at the campus of the college or university where you’re currently studying. Active F-1 students may apply for on-campus employment up to 30 days before the start of classes.
Before starting an on-campus job, you must be authorized to do so. You can gain authorization by meeting with your institution’s Designated School Official (or DSO) and getting a letter from them which certifies that your new job qualifies as on-campus employment.
Off-Campus Work
Off-campus employment is work that takes place outside of your institution’s campus. This work must also be authorized by the DSO at your college or university before you start your new job.
Off-campus work is only available to F-1 students who meet all the following criteria:
- Have completed at least one full academic year of their program
- Are seeking jobs which are related to their area of study
- Are eligible for either CPT (Curricular Practical Training) or OPT (Optional Practical Training)
Note: In special cases, students who have an economic hardship may qualify for off-campus work under the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) emergent circumstances condition.
How Many Hours Can I Work?
International students enrolled full-time with valid F-1 status can generally work on or off campus for up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session, and full-time when classes are not in session. Depending on whether you’re working under CPT vs OPT, the number of hours may vary.
Before you apply for any job, you must contact your institution’s DSO. They’ll let you know if you’re eligible to apply, suggest job opportunities, and share information you’ll need before applying for a Social Security Number.
Discover how to choose where to study in the US.
Working in the US During (And After) Your Studies
If you want to work off-campus during your studies, you must be eligible for either CPT or OPT. But what are CPT and OPT? Both CPT and OPT are work-integrated learning opportunities for international students and graduates in the US.
The main difference between the two is that CPT is training within your academic program before graduation, while OPT is training that allows work related to your studies before or after graduation.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) trains you in your field of study. It must fulfill an academic credit or be part of your degree requirements, and must be completed before your program’s end date. You must also secure the training opportunity first, before applying for CPT.
Examples of CPT include paid or unpaid internships, co-operative education jobs, practicums, or any other experience related to your field of study.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a type of work authorization that allows you to work in jobs related to your academic program for up to one year, either before or after you graduate (Pre-completion OPT or Post-completion OPT, respectively.) To be eligible for OPT, you must have active F-1 student status and must have studied for at least one academic year already.
Types of OPT
The different types of OPT are:
- Pre-completion OPT: Any portion of OPT used before your Program End Date.
- Post-completion OPT: Any portion of OPT used after your Program End Date.
- STEM OPT: A 24-month extension of a Post-completion OPT for students who have finished a designated science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) degree. The list of eligible degrees is determined by DHS.
Learn more about how to get a post-study work visa in the US, including how to apply for OPT.
Whether you’re already an international student in the US, or you want to go there in the future, we hope this overview helps your work-while-studying plan come into clearer focus. Best of luck!
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