International students with off-campus internship offers for the spring 2014 semester should apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization as soon as possible. Spring internships requiring CPT must start and end within the spring semester dates, Dec. 22, 2013 – May 17, 2014.
CPT is temporary employment authorization directly related to an F-1 student’s academic program, for which the work performed counts toward course credit. Immigration regulations require that the work performed be in the student’s major field of study.
In order to be eligible for CPT, a student must have been in full-time student status for one academic year preceding the CPT application. However, graduate students whose program requires immediate participation in an internship may apply at any time. CPT authorization must be granted at least one day in advance of the employment start date.
In order to apply for CPT, students must schedule an advising appointment with an international advisor and bring all of the following items:
- A job offer letter, on company letterhead and signed, which includes job start and end dates, location of where the work will be performed, salary, hours per week and a description of job duties
- A CPT recommendation form, completed by the student’s academic advisor
- Passport, visa, I-20 and I-94 record
For more information about CPT, see this ISSS publication.
