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CPT / PRACTICAL TRAINING FAQ
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular practical training (available to students
prior to the completion of their studies) must be an "integral part
of an established curriculum." CPT is limited to only alternate work/study,
internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship
of practicum, which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative
agreements with the University.
**In order to be eligible to participate in CPT the
training must either be an internship that is required as part of the
student's degree program or the student must register and enroll in
an internship course offered through the student's major department,
or be enrolled in the Cooperative Education Program.
If you are interested in either curricular or optional
practical training, see your international student advisor.
F1 Practical Training- Questions and Answers
1. Q: Is Practical Training a separate
visa status?
A: No. Practical Training is a benefit of F-1 status. While engaging in practical training, you still are considered to be an F-1 student under the visa sponsorship of Salve Regina University.
2. Q: When should I apply for Optional
Practical Training?
A: INS will not allow you to file for OPT earlier
than 120 days BEFORE your 12-month period of OPT begins. You can apply
for OPT as early as 120 days BEFORE your graduation date, and if you
choose to do so, this means your start date will have to be the day
after graduation. You also must understand that the 12-month period
of OPT can begin no later than 60 days AFTER graduation - the length
of time F-1 students may remain in the U.S. after they graduate. NOTE:
We cannot guarantee how long INS will take to process OPT applications.
Example: If graduation is May 14, you could file for OPT as early as
January 15. Your work period would begin May 15th. If you want to postpone
the start date as long as possible, your period of OPT could begin no
later than July 14, which means you could apply as early as March 15.
It is important to note that you are NOT required to begin working on
the start date of your OPT period. However, the 12-month clock starts
ticking down from that first day of your OPT period, and if you don't
actually work on the first day, you simply forfeit one day of authorized
work. If you don't begin work until one month later, then you have lost
that amount of time.
3. Q: If I graduate in May, why should
I file so early?
A: Currently, the INS processing time for OPT
applications can take up to 3 months. This can change at any time. If
you must start work immediately after graduation, then you need to give
INS as much time as possible to process your application. NOTE: our
office has no control over nor an ability to influence INS processing
times.
4. Q: I don't have a job yet, I haven't
sent out resumes and I have not had any interviews. When do I apply?
A: If you do not need to travel after graduation,
then file for the latest possible start date. For December graduates,
you may begin filing the end of September; for May graduates, the middle
of March. In either case, your latest possible start date will be 61
days after graduation. While you still may not have a job, you must
understand that the 12-month clock starts ticking down beginning with
the first day of the OPT period. Any unworked days are lost.
5. Q: What happens after I submit my application
to INS?
A: After INS has processed your application, most
Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) will be sent directly to the
International Office, and you will be contacted by us to come in and
claim yours.
6. Q: After I submit my application, how
long will I have to wait before getting an answer?
A: For Optional Practical Training, allow 3-4
months.
7. Q: What can I do to expedite the processing
of my application?
A: Nothing. The Immigration and Naturalization
Service adjudicates applications on a first-come/ first-served basis
with no exceptions.
8. Q: How can I find out the status of
my application?
A: After submitting your application to the INS
Office, you will receive an official receipt notice from that office.
In the lower left corner of the receipt notice is a telephone number
that you can call to obtain information about your application. When
calling, you must refer to the receipt number (SRC number), which is
located in the upper left corner of the receipt notice. If you pay by
personal check, when cashed, your SRC number also will appear on the
back of your check.
9. Q: Are applications ever denied?
A: Applications for OPT rarely are denied to eligible
students.
For Optional Practical Training, you may begin work
only after you have obtained approval from the Immigration and Naturalization
Service. Remember: "Approval" means the starting date you requested
which is printed on the INS-issued Employment Authorization Document
(EAD) or the date on which the EAD is issued by INS, whichever is later.
10. Q: Do I have to work for the same
employer during the entire period of my Practical Training?
A: Students in Optional Practical Training may
change employers without obtaining permission from an International
Student Advisor or from the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
11. Q: If I submit my application for
Optional Practical Training to INS and then decide not to work, can
I rescind my application?
A: Unfortunately, once your application has been
approved, it is impossible to regain the period of Practical Training
for which you have been authorized. Students should be very sure that
they want employment authorization before submitting their applications.
12. Q: Can I leave the country while my
application for OPT is being processed?
A: If you have completed your degree program,
DO NOT travel abroad before you submit your application to INS or before
you receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD or I-766).
If you leave the U.S. after degree completion and before
you file the application, you lose your F-1 status and you are not permitted
to return in that status or to file for the work permission. If you
file the application and then leave the U.S. before receiving your EAD,
you have lost your F-1 status. Even if INS eventually issues the I-766,
it is not valid if you left the U.S. before you received it, and we
cannot issue the new I-20 you will need to return to the U.S. If you
return to the U.S. in a status other that F-1, such as WB, WT, B-1,
B-2, etc., it is a violation of status to use the invalid I-766 to accept
employment and may be viewed by INS as committing fraud. We cannot issue
you an extended I-20 until you have your EAD, and you cannot get a new
visa stamp without an extended I-20.
If you have submitted your OPT application and wish
to travel outside the country while you are awaiting your EAD, as long
as you will depart and return BEFORE you have completed your degree
program, you may travel abroad, provided that all visa and travel documents
are valid. Make certain that when you reenter, your I-94 card reflects
that you reentered as an F-1 student.
Scenarios:
a) I have a job and it starts June 1st,
but I need a vacation in Bali before I start to work. When should I
apply for OPT?
You can apply for OPT as early as February 1st.
Applying early will give you the best chance of receiving your EAD card
before your employment is to begin, as well as arriving early enough
to permit you to travel outside the U.S. between graduation and June
1.
b) I know I need to travel immediately
after graduation, but I have no job lined up yet.
You need to apply as early as possible (4 months
ahead) and no later than 3 months before graduation in order to have
the EAD card in time to travel. It is important to note, however, that
even filing as early as possible does not guarantee the EAD card will
arrive by the time you wish to travel.
Q: If I want to travel outside of the
U.S. after my OPT has been approved, what do I have to do?
A: After you receive your Employment Authorization
Document (EAD), if you intend to travel abroad, contact our office immediately.
As an F-1 student, you will need an updated I-20 verifying your status
and approval for OPT. If you need to obtain a new visa stamp, you also
will need a new I-20. Before we can issue a new I-20, we must make a
copy of your current I-20, your I-94 card (front and back), your passport
identity and expiration date pages, your current/most recent visa stamp,
and new financial proof of funding documentation. If you need a new
visa stamp, remember that the burden is upon you to convince a U.S.
consular officer that you intend to return to your home country after
completion of your optional practical training. If the officer believes
that it is your intention to remain in the U.S. beyond the ending date
of your OPT, s/he very well may deny your visa and you will be unable
to return to the U.S. Neither the Salve International Office nor your
employer can intervene should this occur.
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