If you're an international student in the USA, your education is likely your top priority. But you want to have some fun while you're living the American college dream, right? From national parks to buzzy cities and everyday enjoyments like American food, there's a lot to explore outside of the classroom.
The only problem: fun costs money. To support yourself and make the most of your stay, consider getting a job while you're studying. Plus, a job can give you practical experience in your field of study.
Be aware that international students on an F-1 visa - the type of student visa you likely have if you're attending a college or university in the U.S. full time - are limited in the type of employment they can accept. (Psst, check out our guide to getting an F-1 visa).
F-1 students are barred from off-campus employment during their first academic year. After that, they can do three types of off-campus jobs: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) OPT.
We explain what all that means and how to get the work authorization needed to snag your money-making gig below.
Understanding CPT and OPT
There are some exceptions to the limits placed on F-1 student workers. F-1 students are sometimes allowed to work off-campus given unique situations like severe economic hardship caused by unforeseen circumstances. This could include things like medical bills, unreasonable spikes in tuition or living costs, or major changes in currency values or exchange rates.
But that's only the exception to the rule! In most cases, your path to getting a job while studying as an international student in the U.S. will go one of two ways: CPT or OPT. Let's look at the difference.
CPT
CPT is work that is directly relevant to your program of study, and the experience itself must be part of your studies as a degree requirement. To qualify for CPT, you must have a signed letter or cooperation agreement from a specific employer. You will then be authorized to work for that specific employer for a set period of time.
Note that you can do CPT full-time for up to one year, but this will subsequently make you ineligible for OPT.
OPT
Like CPT, OPT must relate directly to your program of study. However, you don't have to secure a training position to qualify first. Instead, your designated school official (DSO) at your university or college can recommend OPT. If authorized, you'll then get an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) that lets you work for any employer off campus (as long as the work relates to your program of study).
Key differences between CPT and OPT
Trying to figure out whether CPT or OPT is right for you? Here's a quick rundown of the key differences to help F-1 students decide:
- Types of work allowed. For both CPT and OPT, your training must be related to your program of study.
- Eligibility requirements. To qualify for CPT, you must first get a signed letter or cooperation agreement from your prospective employer. In contrast, your DOS can recommend you for OPT - no job offer requirement.
- Employer limitations. CPT is employer-specific, so you are limited to working with the employer you've signed a cooperation agreement with. However, you're allowed to have more than one CPT authorization at once. With OPT, you can work for any employer as long as the training relates to your studies.
- Part-time versus full-time. With CPT, you can work full-time. With OPT, you can only work 20 hours per week while school is in session.
- Pre-completion versus post-completion. CPT must occur before your study program ends (as defined on Form I-20). In contrast, OPT can occur before or after your study program's designated end date.
- Course credit requirements. CPT must be required to complete your major. If it isn't, your school must award course credit for your work. There is no course-credit requirement for OTP.
Application process
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DSH) manage visa applications in the U.S. To qualify for CTP or OTP, you'll need to complete some paperwork first.
First, let's talk about your DSO. This is the contact person at your college or university responsible for helping international students with visa issues. It's probably the same person who issued your Form I-20 when you first applied and registered you with the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
Your DSO can authorize your eligibility for CPT with a specific employer in SEVIS. You just need to submit a CPT request. The requirements are that you've been enrolled at the school for at least one full academic year and already have a relevant training position. English as a second language studies don't count. Assuming all the requirements are met, you should get a printed and signed I-20 Form with CPT authorization from your DSO.
For OPT, you must submit your request to your school's DSO. The DSO will confirm your eligibility and make a formal OPT request via SEVIS. Your DSO will then give you an updated Form I-20, which you must sign. You must then complete Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, pay the required filing fees, and file the form with USCIS within 30 days.
Once USCIS gets the document, they will issue a notice of receipt. Your SEVIS status will then change from "Requested" to "Pending." USCIS will then approve or deny the OPT request or ask for more information before making a decision. If you're approved, you'll get your EAD and can work from the given authorization date. Your DSO must then update SEVIS with your employment information within 21 days.
Extending work authorization
What if you want to gain more on-the-job experience (or just make some more cash!) and your work authorization is set to expire? You may be able to extend it. If you're currently doing OPT, you may be eligible for a STEM OPT extension. This can qualify you for an additional 24 months of OPT.
To qualify for the 24-month extension, you must:
- Be currently enrolled in a regular OPT program
- Have at least an undergraduate STEM degree
- Have received your STEM degree from a SEVP-certified school
- Be pursuing training related to your degree
Additionally, your employer must use E-Verify. If you check these boxes, you and your employer can complete Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students, to apply for an extension. Learn more.
What if you want to stay even longer?! You've got another option: an H-1B visa. The H-1B program allows employers to hire nonimmigrant aliens in specialty occupations. You can change status to H-1B either directly from F-1 or from OTP. Some students find it easier to get an employer to sponsor them for an H-1B visa after they've gained more practical experience via OTP. With an H-1B visa, you can work legally in the U.S. for up to six years.
If you have an H-1B application that's pending or approved, you can maintain your F-1 status during what's called a cap-gap period. This cap-gap extension allows you to fill the "gap" from when your F-1 student visa ends to when your H-1B visa begins. You must complete your H-1B petition during the relevant H-1B filing period, from April 1 to October 1, and while your F-1 visa is still in effect.
Comparing CPT and OPT in other countries
The U.S. isn't the only country that offers unique work visas for students. Canadian immigration services offer similar programs.
One option is the co-op program, which allows international students to take a job if it's essential to their academic or vocational training. To qualify, you must have a valid study permit, and your college or university must certify that your employment is essential to your academic program.
There is also a post-graduation work permit program that allows students who have graduated from an approved Canadian institution of higher education to gain work experience in Canada. A post-graduation work permit may allow you to stay for up to three years after graduation.
Canada is only one example of how other countries make accommodations for international students to work. From Germany to Brazil, countries all over the world have special visa programs for students who want to learn and earn a buck while they're at it!
Wrapping Up the CPT and OPT journey
If you're pursuing a degree program in the U.S. and want to make some money and gain practical experience, you have options. From a full-time CPT to a post-completion OPT, there are ways to legally work in the U.S. as a student.
For either option, you'll have to coordinate with your school's DSO. It all starts with the right school. Check out your options on College Rover now.
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