Curricular Practical Training (CPT) - How F-1 Students Work Off-Campus During School

F-1 students are all required to receive a practical training authorization before they can legally start working off campus. As long as you are under F-1 visa, you are not allowed to work without an authorization.

There are two types of F-1 practical training: curricular practical training (CPT) and optional practical training (OPT). In this chapter, we will demystify the first one-curricular practical training.

According to [8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)], CPT is defined as employment, which is an integral part of an established curriculum (in other words, when you are still enrolled in school), including: