Off-campus Employment

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for International Students

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of work authorization that allows eligible F-1 international students to gain off-campus work experience directly related to their major while studying at St. Norbert College. CPT must be an integral part of your academic program - it cannot be used solely for career exploration or employment purposes.

IMPORTANT: CPT is required for both paid and unpaid internships. Working off campus without authorization is a violation of your status which will result in your I-20 being terminated without the option for reinstatement.

At St. Norbert College, CPT is only available under these two circumstances:

Degree Requirement:

  • The work experience (typically an internship) is required for all students in the program.
  • Eligibility may vary depending on your major. Please consult your academic advisor or the Academic Advising & Career Services office about internship requirements.

Academic Credit:

  • You can receive academic credit for your CPT employment.
  • You are enrolled in a course (internship, practicum, independent study, or research) specifically designed to award credit for the experience. The work must relate directly to your major field of study.

Remember: CPT is designed to integrate learning and work experience. Always confirm your eligibility and get proper authorization before starting any off-campus employment.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for CPT, you must:

  • Be in valid F-1 status
  • Have completed one full academic year of full-time enrollment on your current SEVIS record
  • Have a declared major
  • Meet SNC academic standing and internship requirements
  • Be registered for coursework that makes the employment a required or integral part of your curriculum

!! Note: Accumulating 12 months or more of full-time CPT makes you ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Part-time CPT does not affect OPT eligibility.

How to Apply for CPT

CPT requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with the international student advisor before accepting a job offer.

Application steps:

  • Meet with international student advisor
  • Submit the CPT request form and advisor form at least 2 weeks before your start date
  • Submit a qualifying job offer letter

Job Offer Letter Requirements

Your offer letter must be on company letterhead and include:

  • Job title and duties
  • Employer name and location
  • Hours per week
  • Start and end dates
  • Supervisor information (and remote work details, if applicable)

Maintaining Your F-1 Status on CPT

While on CPT, you must:

  • Maintain full-time enrollment
  • Make normal progress toward your degree
  • Work only for the approved employer, location, and dates listed on your I-20
  • You may not begin work before CPT approval or continue working beyond your authorized dates.

To learn more about CPT, visit the ICE website – Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Optional Practical Training (OPT) for International Students

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a temporary employment authorization that provides an opportunity to apply knowledge gained in an academic program to a practical work experience.

IMPORTANT: OPT is authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS.) Working without proper OPT authorization is a violation of your F-1 status and can result in the termination of your I-20 without the option for reinstatement.

Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is authorization for employment after a student has completed a degree program. Students can participate in OPT for up to 12 months, depending on the start and end dates of authorization. All OPT employment must be directly related to the student’s major area of study listed on the I-20.

Students can apply for OPT 90 days before through 60 days after the end of their program end date. It’s a good idea to apply as early as possible to allow for application processing times. Students do not need to have a job offer to apply.

Post-Graduation Optional Practical Training (OPT)

What is OPT?

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is work authorization for F-1 students to gain practical experience in their field of study after graduation. All OPT must be directly related to your major.

Important: You must receive USCIS authorization before starting work. Working without OPT can violate your F-1 status and may result in your I-20 being terminated.

Eligibility

You are eligible if you:

  • Are a degree-seeking F-1 student
  • Have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year (fall + spring)
  • Maintain valid F-1 status and are physically in the U.S.
  • Plan to work in a role directly related to your major
  • Have not exceeded 12 months of OPT at your current degree level
  • Have not used 365+ days of full-time CPT at the same degree level

No job offer is required to apply.

Application Timeline - when to apply

USCIS can receive your OPT application:

  • Earliest: 90 days before your program end date (listed on your I-20)
  • Latest: 60 days after your program end date (grace period)
  • Must file within 30 days of your OPT I-20 issuance

IMPORTANT: You must receive your new I-20 with OPT recommendation from the CGE before you file your application with USCIS.

You must file Form I-765 while in the United States.

If you have filed your application with USCIS during this period, you can remain in the U.S. after your 60-day grace period has ended with a pending application.

Application Steps

  • Attend an OPT workshop
  • Schedule a meeting with the international student advisor to discuss OPT
  • Review USCIS Tips for Filing Online
  • Create a USCIS Online Account
  • Draft Form I-765 but do not submit before your CGE appointment
  • Gather supporting documents:
  • Passport-style photo
  • I-94 record (PDF)
  • Passport data page
  • Schedule a meeting with the international student advisor and bring draft I-765 and documents
  • Receive your new OPT I-20 and sign it
  • Submit I-765 to USCIS within 30 days of I-20 issuance
  • Monitor application status via USCIS portal and notify CGE of any Requests for Evidence (RFE)

When you apply online, USCIS will upload a receipt notice (I-797C) with your OPT application case status number to your USCIS online portal. This will appear within 48 hours of submitting your application online. You can track your applications status at: www.uscis.gov

OPT Employment

  • You can start working only after receiving your EAD card and on or after the start date printed on it. Email confirmation or USCIS receipt notices will not suffice as evidence of work authorization. You may only work within the dates printed on the card.
  • Work must be directly related to your major.
  • Must be at least 20 hours per week (paid or unpaid).
  • You may accrue no more than 90 days of unemployment during your OPT period.
  • Employment must be reported to SNC CGE to maintain status or updated on your USCIS portal.

Tip: Keep evidence of employment hours to show compliance.

Unemployment

During post-completion OPT, you may not accrue more than 90 days of unemployment.

Reporting Employment: You must begin working and report your employment by updating your USCIS Portal Account or submitting an OPT update to the Center for Global Engagement International Student Advisor (DSO.). Reporting stops the unemployment clock in SEVIS.

Time spent outside the United States, if not employed by a U.S. employer, is counted toward the 90-day period of unemployment.

It is your responsibility to track your unemployment days, and to make plans to depart the U.S. prior to reaching the maximum amount of unemployment time.

SEVIS records will automatically terminate for students who have no employment reported within 90 days of the start date of their OPT.

OPT Reporting Requirements

You must report within 10 days:

  • Change of physical address
  • Employment status changes (new employer or ending employment)
  • Employer name and address
  • Departure of the USA to end the F-1 status

Failure to report or maintain employment may result in termination of your SEVIS record.

Additional Notes

  • OPT is valid for up to 12 months post-graduation
  • Qualifying work includes:
  • paid/unpaid jobs
  • internships
  • volunteer work (20+ hours/week)
  • Travel outside the U.S. while OPT is pending is not recommended
  • USCIS rules may change; you are responsible for following current regulations
  • For legal advice, consult an immigration attorney

The information provided above is for informational purposes only. USCIS may change its policies and regulations at any time, and you are responsible to interpret their guidelines.

The OPT application is the responsibility of the student as the applicant.

Please consult with an immigration attorney if you need legal advice.