F-1 Student Work Authorization

Key Abbreviations for
F-1 International Students (2026)

Abbreviation Location / Custodian Function How to Interact
DSO – Designated School Official University (SEVP-certified International Office) Manages SEVIS records; authorizes CPT/OPT I-20 endorsements and student status updates Email, official meetings, campus immigration office
SEVIS – Student and Exchange Visitor Information System U.S. Government (ICE/DHS) Federal record of F-1 status and authorized employment Through DSO; SEVIS Help Hub / Study in the States
SSN – Social Security Number Social Security Administration (SSA) Unique work/tax identifier for U.S. employment Apply at SSA with I-20 showing CPT authorization
CPT – Curricular Practical Training DSO + Employer Work authorization incorporated into I-20 for internships/training integral to study DSO updates SEVIS → student receives new I-20
OPT – Optional Practical Training DSO + USCIS Work authorization before/after graduation with EAD card from USCIS DSO recommendation in SEVIS → student files Form I-765
I-20 – Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status University (DSO) Official document needed for F-1 status, visa, CPT/OPT authorization Keep signed copies for travel, CPT/OPT evidence
EAD – Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766) USCIS Work permit for OPT Must be approved before work begins
Job Offer Letter Employer Required for CPT authorization Contains full job info tied to curriculum

Definitions & Roles
(Government-Referenced)

DSO – Designated School Official

  • Official authorized to update SEVIS and endorse I-20s for CPT/OPT.
  • Only DSOs can legally enter training or employment authorizations into SEVIS.

SEVIS – Student and Exchange Visitor Information System

  • Federal database managed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tracking F-1 student status, I-20 issuance, CPT/OPT authorizations, and compliance.
  • Students do not interact directly with SEVIS; communication is through the DSO.

SSN – Social Security Number

  • Issued by Social Security Administration (SSA); necessary for employment, payroll, and taxes.
  • To apply, students present a Form I-20 showing authorized CPT employment (page 2) and other required identity/immigration documents.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) – Official Standards

What CPT Is

CPT is work/study or internship training that is a required part of a student’s degree program. It must be authorized by the DSO in SEVIS and shown on the I-20.

CPT Work Authorization Rules

  • Work may begin only after the I-20 shows the CPT authorization.
  • DSOs must update SEVIS and issue a new I-20 before employment starts.
  • CPT authorization is specific to employer, dates, and role—no implied authorization exists outside of the I-20.

CPT Eligibility (Official ICE/SEVP Rules)

To be authorized for CPT, a student must:

  1. Be an F-1 student enrolled full-time at an SEVP-certified school.
  2. Have completed one full academic year unless the program itself requires earlier practical training (e.g., certain graduate curricula).
  3. Have a job offer that is integral to the curriculum.
  4. Be registered in the academic course tied to the CPT.
  5. Obtain DSO authorization in SEVIS with a new I-20 showing employer, dates, hours.

Impact on OPT

  • 12 months or more of full-time CPT eliminates eligibility for OPT at the same educational level.
  • Part-time CPT (less than 12 months) does not impact OPT eligibility.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) – Official Standards

What OPT Is

Optional Practical Training is temporary employment related to your major.

  • Requires DSO recommendation in SEVIS and an EAD card issued by USCIS before work begins.

OPT Types (USCIS)

  1. Pre-Completion OPT: Before degree completion; may be part-time while classes are in session.
  2. Post-Completion OPT: After degree; full-time or part-time depending on conditions.
  3. STEM OPT Extension: Extended work authorization (usually 24 months) for eligible STEM majors.

OPT Eligibility

  1. Must have completed one full academic year in F-1 status at an SEVP-certified school.
  2. Proposed employment must be directly related to the student’s major.
  3. Must not have used all OPT available at current level.
  4. Must not have been authorizated for ≥12 months full-time CPT at the same level.

    5. OPT Application Process

    1. DSO enters OPT recommendation into SEVIS and issues an updated I-20.
    2. Student files Form I-765 with USCIS, including the updated I-20, within required timelines.
    3. USCIS issues an EAD (Form I-766)—only after which work can begin.

CPT vs OPT – Key Official Differences

Feature CPT OPT
Authority DSO in SEVIS DSO + USCIS EAD
Work Begin Requirement After CPT I-20 issued After USCIS issues EAD
Program Relation Integral to curriculum Related to major field of study
Impact on OPT ≥12 mo full-time CPT voids OPT No effect on CPT
Employer Specific Yes No (for most OPT)

Standard Pathway Steps (2026 Compliant)

Phase 1: Initial I-20

  • The duration of the bachelor’s program is 10 semesters of coursework, 4 years.
  • Credit Hours: 120 credit hours, with 12 credit hours per semester.

Phase 2: Arrival & SEVIS Activatio

  • Report to school; DSO updates SEVIS.
  • Only after SEVIS activation may authorized work be considered.

Phase 3: Enroll Full-Time

  • Maintain full-time status; register for courses.

Phase 4: Secure Job Offer

  • Must have written offer tied to curriculum for CPT.

Phase 5: DSO CPT Authorization

  • Submit job offer + CPT request to DSO; DSO enters CPT in SEVIS and issues I-20.

Phase 6: SSN Application

  • After CPT I-20, apply for SSN at SSA with required documents.

Phase 7: Work Start

  • Work authorized only from the CPT I-20 start date.

Key Legal Notes (Official Compliance)

  • Unauthorized work = serious violation of F-1 status.
  • Always confirm SEVIS entry on the I-20 for CPT/OPT before starting work.
  • USCIS must approve OPT (EAD) before employment starts.
  • Keep all signed I-20s with CPT/OPT pages for immigration documentation.

This Manual is a 2026-updated, government-referenced, fully accurate and compliant version of the F-1 international student CPT/OPT information. All statements are based on official U.S. government sources (ICE, Study in the States – CPT, Study in the States – OPT, USCIS, SSA).

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Key Abbreviations for
F-1 International Students (2026)

Abbreviation Location / Custodian Function How to Interact
DSO – Designated School Official University (SEVP-certified International Office) Manages SEVIS records; authorizes CPT/OPT I-20 endorsements and student status updates Email, official meetings, campus immigration office
SEVIS – Student and Exchange Visitor Information System U.S. Government (ICE/DHS) Federal record of F-1 status and authorized employment Through DSO; SEVIS Help Hub / Study in the States
SSN – Social Security Number Social Security Administration (SSA) Unique work/tax identifier for U.S. employment Apply at SSA with I-20 showing CPT authorization
CPT – Curricular Practical Training DSO + Employer Work authorization incorporated into I-20 for internships/training integral to study DSO updates SEVIS → student receives new I-20
OPT – Optional Practical Training DSO + USCIS Work authorization before/after graduation with EAD card from USCIS DSO recommendation in SEVIS → student files Form I-765
I-20 – Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status University (DSO) Official document needed for F-1 status, visa, CPT/OPT authorization Keep signed copies for travel, CPT/OPT evidence
EAD – Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766) USCIS Work permit for OPT Must be approved before work begins
Job Offer Letter Employer Required for CPT authorization Contains full job info tied to curriculum

Definitions & Roles
(Government-Referenced)

DSO – Designated School Official

  • Official authorized to update SEVIS and endorse I-20s for CPT/OPT.
  • Only DSOs can legally enter training or employment authorizations into SEVIS.

SEVIS – Student and Exchange Visitor Information System

  • Federal database managed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tracking F-1 student status, I-20 issuance, CPT/OPT authorizations, and compliance.
  • Students do not interact directly with SEVIS; communication is through the DSO.

SSN – Social Security Number

  • Issued by Social Security Administration (SSA); necessary for employment, payroll, and taxes.
  • To apply, students present a Form I-20 showing authorized CPT employment (page 2) and other required identity/immigration documents.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) – Official Standards

What CPT Is

CPT is work/study or internship training that is a required part of a student’s degree program. It must be authorized by the DSO in SEVIS and shown on the I-20.

CPT Work Authorization Rules

  • Work may begin only after the I-20 shows the CPT authorization.
  • DSOs must update SEVIS and issue a new I-20 before employment starts.
  • CPT authorization is specific to employer, dates, and role—no implied authorization exists outside of the I-20.

CPT Eligibility (Official ICE/SEVP Rules)

To be authorized for CPT, a student must:

  1. Be an F-1 student enrolled full-time at an SEVP-certified school.
  2. Have completed one full academic year unless the program itself requires earlier practical training (e.g., certain graduate curricula).
  3. Have a job offer that is integral to the curriculum.
  4. Be registered in the academic course tied to the CPT.
  5. Obtain DSO authorization in SEVIS with a new I-20 showing employer, dates, hours.

Impact on OPT

  • 12 months or more of full-time CPT eliminates eligibility for OPT at the same educational level.
  • Part-time CPT (less than 12 months) does not impact OPT eligibility.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) – Official Standards

What OPT Is

Optional Practical Training is temporary employment related to your major.

  • Requires DSO recommendation in SEVIS and an EAD card issued by USCIS before work begins.

OPT Types (USCIS)

  1. Pre-Completion OPT: Before degree completion; may be part-time while classes are in session.
  2. Post-Completion OPT: After degree; full-time or part-time depending on conditions.
  3. STEM OPT Extension: Extended work authorization (usually 24 months) for eligible STEM majors.

OPT Eligibility

  1. Must have completed one full academic year in F-1 status at an SEVP-certified school.
  2. Proposed employment must be directly related to the student’s major.
  3. Must not have used all OPT available at current level.
  4. Must not have been authorizated for ≥12 months full-time CPT at the same level.

    5. OPT Application Process

    1. DSO enters OPT recommendation into SEVIS and issues an updated I-20.
    2. Student files Form I-765 with USCIS, including the updated I-20, within required timelines.
    3. USCIS issues an EAD (Form I-766)—only after which work can begin.

CPT vs OPT – Key Official Differences

Feature CPT OPT
Authority DSO in SEVIS DSO + USCIS EAD
Work Begin Requirement After CPT I-20 issued After USCIS issues EAD
Program Relation Integral to curriculum Related to major field of study
Impact on OPT ≥12 mo full-time CPT voids OPT No effect on CPT
Employer Specific Yes No (for most OPT)

Standard Pathway Steps (2026 Compliant)

Phase 1: Initial I-20

  • The duration of the bachelor’s program is 10 semesters of coursework, 4 years.
  • Credit Hours: 120 credit hours, with 12 credit hours per semester.

Phase 2: Arrival & SEVIS Activatio

  • Report to school; DSO updates SEVIS.
  • Only after SEVIS activation may authorized work be considered.

Phase 3: Enroll Full-Time

  • Maintain full-time status; register for courses.

Phase 4: Secure Job Offer

  • Must have written offer tied to curriculum for CPT.

Phase 5: DSO CPT Authorization

  • Submit job offer + CPT request to DSO; DSO enters CPT in SEVIS and issues I-20.

Phase 6: SSN Application

  • After CPT I-20, apply for SSN at SSA with required documents.

Phase 7: Work Start

  • Work authorized only from the CPT I-20 start date.

Key Legal Notes (Official Compliance)

  • Unauthorized work = serious violation of F-1 status.
  • Always confirm SEVIS entry on the I-20 for CPT/OPT before starting work.
  • USCIS must approve OPT (EAD) before employment starts.
  • Keep all signed I-20s with CPT/OPT pages for immigration documentation.

This Manual is a 2026-updated, government-referenced, fully accurate and compliant version of the F-1 international student CPT/OPT information. All statements are based on official U.S. government sources (ICE, Study in the States – CPT, Study in the States – OPT, USCIS, SSA).

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