What are OPT and CPT in USA ?

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  What are OPT and CPT in USA ?

  • 06-12-2022
  • Posted By : Admin

  What are  OPT and CPT in USA ?

  
  
  Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a program that temporarily allows international students with an F-1 visa in the United States to work up to 12 months in relation to their major of study. F-1 visa students are eligible for OPT after completing their first academic year. OPT can be completed both before or after completing your studies, but it’s important to remember that you are only allowed to work 12 months total. International students with an F-1 visa who have completed degrees in certain science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are eligible for a 17-month extension for post-graduation completion of OPT employment.
  
  
  Documents Required for OPT: Applicants are recommended to approach the international office at their respective institutions directly to get details regarding the documents required. But generally, the below-mentioned documents may be relevant:
  • 2 passport-size photographs
  • I-765 (original)
  • Present passport's copy
  • Printout of I-94 
  • US$410 (subject to change) personal check which should be addressed to the department of homeland security
  • Copy of OPT recommendation and I-20
  • Copy of all the earlier issued I-20s
  • Any earlier issued EAD cards' copies
  • F-1 visa stamp's copy on passport
  Eligibility for OPT: A student should:
  • Possess an F1 status
  • Be enrolled full-time for one academic year before the employment begins
  • Not have used 12 months or more of full-time CPT
  Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a program that temporarily allows international students with an F-1 visa to gain practical experience directly related to their major through employment, paid or unpaid internship, or cooperative education. It must be a part of an established curriculum. CPT must be completed before graduating. In addition, CPT can be part-time (20 hours or less a week) or full time (20 hours or more a week). Although, if you work full-time for 12 months in CPT, you will lose your eligibility for OPT.
  
  
  Documents Required for CPT: Usually, the following documents may be required to apply for CPT:
  • CPT online workshop completion certificate
  • Academic recommendation form
  • In-depth description of training by your employer
  • Copy of present I-20
  • Print out of electronic form I-94
  Eligibility for CPT: A student should:
  • Possess an F1 status
  • Be enrolled for one academic year before the employment begins
  • Be carrying a particular employment offer which meets the requirements of the institution for the relevant course

  The difference between the two is as follows:

  
  

  CPT	OPT
  CPT is a part of degree requirement	OPT is not a part of degree requirement
  This can be done as soon as enrolled for course	This is done after graduation
  The student needs consent from ISS and academic department	The student needs consent from USCIS
  Students are permitted to work for any employer	The student can work only with employers in I- 20 list
  The application is online	The application is on paper
  No application fee	The application fee is $410
  Need to apply with job offer	Do not need job offer to apply
  CPT can be done upto 12 months	Duration of OPT is 12-24 months
  Is part time or full time	Is full time
  2-3 weeks processing time	3-5 months processing time

Author

Ms. Sheetal Purohit

Co-founder & COO

Sheetal Purohit, is the guiding force in the formation of Erisha EduSupport, as a part of Rana Group. She has an extensive experience of 23 plus years of teaching and mentoring students. She has a wide array of experience teaching English for many purposes. Be it spoken English, Business English or English for Competitive Exams, Sheetal has taught it all. This shows her versatility in teaching the language because despite the language being the same, the way in which it is tested is different across all these genres.

Ms. Anshu Parmar

Co-founder

Ms. Anshu Parmar, Co-founder of Erisha EduSupport, is a Software Engineering Graduate, Postgraduate in MBA-Operations and Marketing and a student of IIT - Delhi, experiencing Quantum Technology and Machine learning. With expertise in various fields, she has an experience of 11+ years spread over various domains. Ms. Anshu aim to provide transformative global learning experiences for students which supports them to reach their academic goals, discover their leadership qualities, to explore global career opportunities, and for an intercultural proficiency.