{"id":14994,"date":"2026-06-22T14:50:17","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T18:50:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scholarlink.ai\/blog\/?p=14994"},"modified":"2026-06-22T14:50:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T18:50:17","slug":"cpt-opt-and-on-campus-work-in-the-united-states","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scholarlink.ai\/blog\/cpt-opt-and-on-campus-work-in-the-united-states\/","title":{"rendered":"CPT, OPT, and On-Campus Work in the United States"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By the midpoint of your first semester, you\u2019re sitting in the library on campus, and two opportunities fall into your email inbox for the same week: unpaid research assistant position with a professor and paid job in the campus bookstore. The first thought that occurs to you isn\u2019t which one to choose but whether either of the three\u2014the on-campus work, CPT or OPT\u2014is even available for you at all right now? And for most students in the first semester in F-1 status, the answer is on-campus work. As a rule, CPT becomes relevant much later for an internship when the conditions of your university\u2019s eligibility become applicable; and OPT is used for pre-completion and post-completion work authorization. The understanding of the differences will allow you to accept the proper opportunity and avoid any problems with immigration authorities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eligible on-campus employment includes positions that:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Library assistant<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Campus bookstore employee<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cafeteria or dining hall worker<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research assistant<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teaching assistant (if eligible for your academic program)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Work Type<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>When it applies<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Need an employer offer?<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>offer?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>On or off campus?<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On-campus work<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While enrolled, including your first academic year<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On campus<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CPT<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before graduation for an eligible degree-related internship or practical training<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Usually off campus<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">OPT<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before or after graduation for work related to your major<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Usually off campus<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"On-Campus_Work_What_F-1_Students_Can_Do_From_Day_One\"><\/span><b>On-Campus Work: What F-1 Students Can Do From Day One<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having an F1 visa does not mean you can accept any job offer. Your work options depend on your school type, academic level, immigration status, and whether your Designated School Official has approved the process, as needed. On-Campus work is the only work option that you can do with the F-1 visa, and is rule-bound. on-Campus work usually opens 30 days after the program start date. It is capped at 20 hours\/week during the academic term, and can go full-time during official school breaks. Students must still report the job to their school&#8217;s international office (DSO).<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Rule<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Detail<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start date<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">students can begin on-campus employment 30 days after your program start date if you are entering the U.S. inF-1 status and have been authorized to enroll. Most students start once classes begin and after completing their school&#8217;s hiring process.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hours per term-time<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20 hours per week while school is in session.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hours during breaks<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">40 hours a week (full-time) during summer and university breaks.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reporting requirement<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Report your on-campus employment to your Designated School Official (DSO) or international student office as required by your school, and complete all employment and payroll paperwork before starting work.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Curricular_Practical_Training_CPT_Working_While_Still_Enrolled\"><\/span><b>Curricular Practical Training (CPT): Working While Still Enrolled<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Curricular Practical Training (CPT) offers an opportunity to F-1 visa holders to gain practical experience during their studies. Contrary to on-campus employment, curricular practical training is applicable when the training is related to your field and an essential part of the curriculum. This includes a required internship, cooperative education (co-op) program, practicum, or another work experience that is required for your degree or earns academic credit. No matter whether the job is on-campus or off-campus, you have to get the permission of the DSO prior to starting work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The following criteria need to be satisfied in order to qualify for CPT:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enrollment for at least one year on a full-time basis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Training must be curriculum-required<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Must have an employer offer letter<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DSO must authorize it before starting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Working 12+ months of full-time CPT eliminates eligibility for OPT<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-14996 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/scholarlink.ai\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Curricular-Practical-Training-CPT-Working-While-Still-Enrolled.webp\" alt=\"Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Working While Still Enrolled\" width=\"600\" height=\"327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scholarlink.ai\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Curricular-Practical-Training-CPT-Working-While-Still-Enrolled.webp 600w, https:\/\/scholarlink.ai\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Curricular-Practical-Training-CPT-Working-While-Still-Enrolled-300x164.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>Optional Practical Training (OPT): Work Authorization Before or After Graduation<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Optional Practical Training, or OPT lets F1 students work in a job related to their field of study.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">OPT provides up to 12 months of work authorization exactly related to the student&#8217;s field of study, usable before completion (pre-completion OPT, part-time while enrolled) or after (post-completion OPT, full-time). Pre-completion OPT is typically part-time while you are enrolled in classes, whereas post-completion OPT is generally full-time after you complete your degree requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike CPT, OPT does not require a job offer at the time of application and allows employer changes as long as the new role stays within the same field.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apply for OPT by completing the following steps:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the standard 12-month OPT period, you may not accumulate more than 90 days of unemployment. Exceeding this limit can place your F-1 status at risk, so it is important to keep your employment records and report any required updates to your DSO.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Request a recommendation from the DSO<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Receive updated I-20<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">File Form I-765 with USCIS<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wait for EAD card<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Begin work only after EAD approval<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Step<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Who handles it<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>What happens<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Request a recommendation from the DSO<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Student and DSO<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The student requests OPT, and the DSO verifies eligibility and recommends OPT in SEVIS.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Receive an updated Form I-20<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DSO<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The DSO issues a new Form I-20 showing the approved OPT recommendation.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">File Form I-765<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Student<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The student submits Form I-765 and supporting documents to USCIS.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Receive the EAD card<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">USCIS<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">USCIS reviews the application and, if approved, issues an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Begin authorized employment<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Student and employer<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The student may begin work only after receiving the EAD card and reaching the approved OPT start date.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_STEM_OPT_Extension_An_Extra_24_Months_for_Eligible_Graduates\"><\/span><b>The STEM OPT Extension: An Extra 24 Months for Eligible Graduates<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The STEM OPT Extension is an essential opportunity for international students on an F1 visa to extend their work authorization in the United States. the program continues to offer a 24-month extension, but with stricter compliance rules and documentation requirements. This increases the maximum OPT-related work authorization to 36 months. However, the extension is not available to every STEM-related major.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the STEM OPT extension, students receive an additional 60 days of allowable unemployment, bringing the combined maximum for the initial 12-month OPT period and the 24-month STEM extension to around 150 days in total. Because immigration policies may change, verify the current unemployment limits on the latest USCIS guidance before relying on this figure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To be eligible for a STEM OPT extension, you must meet the following requirements:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Degree must be listed under STEM CIP code list<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Job directly related to your field of study<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employer must be enrolled in E-Verify<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employer must complete Form I-983 (Training Plan)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The student must complete required evaluations: Submit evaluations at 12 and 24 months<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Degree from an SEVP-approved institution<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Requirements<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Why It Matters<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CIP code<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It helps to show your degree qualifies for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, always verify the CIP code on your Form I-20 against the current DHS list.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">E-Verify<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">STEM OPT employment is only permitted with employers participating in the federal E-Verify program.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Form I-983<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It helps to documents your learning objectives, training plan, and employer responsibilities throughout the STEM OPT period.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">evaluations<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students must complete periodic self-evaluations (commonly at the 12- and 24-month marks) to demonstrate progress and maintain compliance with STEM OPT requirements.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"CPT_vs_OPT_vs_On-Campus_Work_Full_Comparison\"><\/span><b>CPT vs. OPT vs. On-Campus Work: Full Comparison<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re looking to decide between on-campus work, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and Optional Practical Training (OPT), the biggest differences are when you can use each option, who authorizes it, and what type of work it allows.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On-campus work: It is available when you are enrolled in school, including your first academic year. It is authorized by your school, does not require USCIS approval, and is generally limited to 20 hours per week during the academic term. Jobs do not have to be related to your major.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Curricular Practical Training (CPT): CPT is for internships or other training that is directly related to your major and forms part of your curriculum. It requires a job offer and DSO authorization before you start working. If you complete 12 months or more of full-time CPT, you become ineligible for OPT at the same degree level.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Optional Practical Training (OPT):\u00a0 OPT will provide up to 12 months of work authorization before or after graduation for jobs related to your field of study. Unlike CPT, you do not need a job offer to apply, but you must receive USCIS approval and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) before beginning work.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The below table compares the differences between on-campus work, CPT, and OPT to help you quickly identify which option matches your situation.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Timing<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Authorization Source<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Employer Offer Required?<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Duration<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Key Risk<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>On-Campus Work<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first academic year While enrolled<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">School\/DSO<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up to 20 hours\/week during the academic term; full-time during official school breaks<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Working off campus without proper authorization or exceeding hour limits<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>CPT<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before graduation<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">School\/DSO<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Part-time or full-time, depending on your program and authorization<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12+ months of full-time CPT eliminates OPT eligibility<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>OPT<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before or after graduation<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">USCIS (with DSO recommendation)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up to 12 months<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exceeding the unemployment limit or working without an EAD<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">STEM OPT Extension<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After post-completion OPT<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">USCIS (with DSO recommendation)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">24-month extension (up to 36 months total OPT); standard processing typically takes 2\u20135 months, and timely applicants may continue working for up to 180 days while the extension is pending<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Failing to meet STEM reporting requirements or employer eligibility (E-Verify\/Form I-983)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_Mistakes_That_Put_F-1_Status_at_Risk\"><\/span><b>Common Mistakes That Put F-1 Status at Risk<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Unauthorized work before approval:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> F-1 students must have prior authorization (e.g., CPT\/OPT authorization in SEVIS) before starting any off-campus employment. Working without it is considered unauthorized employment under SEVP rules.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><b>Exceeding 20-hour on-campus limit during term:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> SEVP guidance allows up to 20 hours\/week while school is in session; exceeding this can be treated as a status violation depending on institutional reporting and SEVIS compliance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12+ months full-time CPT affecting OPT eligibility: This is a well-known SEVP rule: 12 months or more of full-time CPT at the same education level eliminates eligibility for OPT.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><b>90-day unemployment (or 150-day STEM total):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> These limits come directly from DHS regulations for post-completion OPT and STEM OPT extensions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><b>Failure to report employer changes to DSO:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> SEVP requires timely reporting of employment information updates through the DSO and SEVIS; failure can lead to compliance issues or termination of SEVIS record.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQ\"><\/span><b>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the difference between CPT and OPT?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CPT stands for Curricular Practical Training which is connected with your study curriculum and should be approved beforehand before starting an internship. In turn, OPT is Occupational Practical Training that provides a broader authorization of working in your area of specialization either before or after the graduation. CPT is school-based, while OPT is authorized by USCIS and doesn&#8217;t require getting a job offer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is it possible to work on-campus for F-1 students without USCIS approval?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, it is possible for the F-1 visa holder to work on campus without obtaining USCIS authorization; however, the job should be authorized and accounted for by your school DSO.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How many hours a week can international students work on campus?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foreign students on F-1 visas are allowed to work on campus up to 20 hours per week and full-time during vacations. Any extra amount of work on campus may be considered unauthorized employment and negatively impact your future chances of getting any work authorization benefits like CPT and OPT.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does CPT influence my OPT?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, it influences OPT if you have completed 12 months or more of full-time CPT at the same degree level; it would remove eligibility for OPT. Part-time CPT usually does not affect OPT, but excessive full-time use can permanently limit future post-graduation work authorization options.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the STEM OPT extension and who qualifies?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The STEM OPT is a two-year extension for students to complete additional work experience after graduation from an eligible institution with an eligible STEM degree, working for an E-Verified employer in a relevant job. To apply for a STEM extension, a Form I-983 training plan must be submitted, along with ongoing reports to maintain compliance with the STEM OPT requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How many days of unemployment are allowed during OPT?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">F-1 students may have up to 90 days of unemployment during their 12-month period of post-completion OPT. Students in a physical science-related field will also be granted an additional 60 days of unemployment during their two-year extension. Exceeding a total of 150 days of unemployment will result in termination of your SEVIS record and your F-1 status, which will have a negative impact on your ability to immigrate and work in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do I need a job offer to apply for OPT?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No, you do not need a job offer to apply for OPT. Students can apply during the authorized filing window before or after program completion. However, once approved, employment must begin within the OPT period, and all job details must be reported to your DSO.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By the midpoint of your first semester, you\u2019re sitting in the library on campus, and two opportunities fall into your email inbox for the same week: unpaid research assistant position with a professor and paid job in the campus bookstore&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14998,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14994","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-other"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v22.2 (Yoast SEO v27.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>CPT, OPT, and On-Campus Work in the United States - 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