F1 Students

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an employment benefit available to students in F-1 status when the experience is considered to be an integral part of the established curriculum and directly related to the student's major. "Training" refers to a paid or unpaid internship, practicum, or other work experience that is required for the degree program, or for which course credit is awarded, or for institutionally sponsored cooperative education internships or research projects. Students must receive an updated I-20 endorsed by ISP for CPT prior to beginning employment.

• Step 1: Submit the CPT Recommendation Form and offer letter to your dean's office at least 3 weeks prior to your job start date.
  • Graduate students: At the same time, obtain all signatures on the Internship Petition required by the Grad Office; consult the Grad Office directly with questions.
• Step 2: After your dean's office approval of the CPT Recommendation Form, ISP will issue an updated I-20 with specific CPT authorization.
• Step 3: ISP will send you the CPT I-20 via email.
• Step 4: Present the CPT I-20 to your employer as proof of employment eligibility.

Image Lightbox

Download Full Image

Cautions:

• Do Not work at all before or after the specific dates of CPT authorization, as indicated on Page 2 of your I-20.
• Never work for any other employer not specifically authorized on the CPT I-20.
• Extensions of CPT: Notify ISP. You must receive an updated CPT I-20 BEFORE you continue work.
• Extensions beyond the first day of the next academic term start date require an all-new CPT application process (Steps 1 - 4 above).
• Extensions that end prior to the next academic term start date can be processed directly with ISP.
• Graduate Students must still submit a new Internship Petition to the Graduate Office BEFORE continuing to work.

CPT While Enrolled in the Academic Term: Students are expected to be fully committed to academic studies while enrolled. It is recognized that some activities can contribute to the student's educational, research or professional training, without impacting academic progress. The student must demonstrate that the outside work does not compromise full time commitment to academic studies; to be evaluated by the student's respective dean's office. In no case can an F-1 student begin employment prior to the written authorization start date issued by ISP nor can they continue employment beyond the written authorization end date issued by ISP.

• Undergraduate Students:
  • In no case can an enrolled undergraduate student engage in employment that exceeds 16 hours per week total, inclusive of on-campus and off-campus employment.
  • Must complete CPT prior to Last Day of Classes within final academic term.
• Graduate Students:
  • In no case can an enrolled graduate student engage in employment that exceeds 8 hours per week total, not inclusive of any on-campus Research Assistantship or Teaching Assistantship.
  • Any employment beyond the usual Research Assistant or Teaching Assistant roles, whether it takes place on campus or off campus, will require CPT authorization.
  • MS students must complete CPT prior to Last Day of Classes within final academic term.
  • PhD students are not eligible for CPT after completion of the thesis defense. Any previously-authorized CPT must end by the thesis defense date.

Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is part-time or full-time employment authorization available to students in F-1 status during their academic program of study. Pre-Completion OPT requires an updated I-20 from ISP and then application to, and approval by, USCIS.

Eligibility

• Enrolled in a full course of study for one academic year (three quarters)
• Employment must be directly related to the student's major field of study.
• Offer of employment not required to apply
• Part-Time Pre-Completion OPT occurs during an enrolled academic term.
• Full-Time Pre-Completion OPT occurs during official Institute breaks, annual vacation terms, or approved leaves.
• Have not previously engaged in 12 months of full-time Pre-Completion or Post-Completion OPT at your current degree level

• Undergraduate Students:
  • In no case can an enrolled undergraduate student engage in employment that exceeds 16 hours per week total, inclusive of on-campus and off-campus employment, per Institute policy.
  • Must complete Pre-Completion OPT prior to Last Day of Classes within final academic term.

• Graduate Students:
  • In no case can an enrolled graduate student engage in employment that exceeds 8 hours per week total, not inclusive of any on-campus Research Assistantship or Teaching Assistantship, per Institute policy.
  • Any employment beyond the usual Research Assistant or Teaching Assistant roles, whether it takes place on campus or off campus, will require Pre-Completion OPT authorization.
  • MS students must complete Pre-Completion OPT prior to Last Day of Classes within final academic term.
  • PhD students must complete Pre-Completion OPT prior to thesis defense. Any previously-authorized Pre-Completion OPT must end by the thesis defense date.

Timing

• Begin your planning with ISP early.
• USCIS can receive the Pre-Completion OPT application a maximum of 90-days prior to your requested start date of the Pre-Completion OPT.
• Due to extended USCIS processing times, Premium Processing (for an additional fee) may be needed to meet your requested start date.

Application Process

• Meet with ISP to determine eligibility and timing.
• Any required leave petitions should be filed with your dean's office.
• ISP issues an updated I-20 endorsed for Pre-Completion OPT.
• Student files for Pre-Completion OPT with required documents and fees with USCIS.
• If approved, student receives USCIS approval notification by email and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by USPS mail.
• Employment can only occur during the approved period as printed on the EAD issued by USCIS; employment cannot begin without the EAD in hand.

Cautions

• Pre-Completion OPT is deducted from the 12 months of OPT available at each degree level. This does not include the 24 month STEM OPT Extension.
• Part-Time Pre-Completion OPT has historically been deducted from the 12-month cumulative limit at a 50% rate.
• Full-Time Pre-Completion OPT is deducted from the 12-month cumulative limit at a full-time rate.
• Any unused days of Pre-completion OPT cannot be recovered. The full authorization period printed on the EAD will be subtracted from available days remaining for Post-Completion OPT.
• Applying for Pre-Completion OPT during the final term of enrollment in the academic program may result in complications with Post-Completion OPT.

Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is 12-month employment authorization available to students in F-1 status at the completion of the academic program of study. OPT requires an application be filed with and approved by USCIS.

Click Here to for ISP's Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for and Maintaining F-1 OPT.

F-1s currently on post-completion OPT based on a prior degree in a STEM field can apply for a 24-month extension of OPT (for a total of up to 36 months). STEM OPT requires an application be filed with and approved by USCIS.

Click Here to for ISP's Guide to Applying for and Maintaining STEM OPT

Students maintaining F-1 status may work for Caltech a maximum of 20 hours per week while classes are in session and more than 20 hours per week during Institute breaks and holidays. Graduate stipends are considered on-campus employment. Caltech students whose employment location is at JPL are considered to be engaged in on-campus employment.

On-campus employment is a benefit of F-1 status and does not require ISP approval; however, F-1 students must meet with ISP to complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification prior to beginning their first on-campus job. ISP will also support students' application for a Social Security Number (SSN).

Students experiencing serious, urgent, and unforeseen economic circumstances during their academic program may qualify for special permission, called Severe Economic Hardship Employment, to work off campus. Contact your international advisor to determine if you are eligible to apply.