What is Day 1 CPT?

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What is Day 1 CPT? was originally published on Interstride.

Most international students on F-1 visas in the US must wait one academic year before they can begin working off-campus through the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) program. “Day 1 CPT” enables eligible international students to start working as soon as their academic program begins. 

While “day 1 CPT” is not an official term, it is widely used among international students. It’s also important to note that day 1 CPT is not common. Only some schools allow students to start utilizing CPT from the beginning of their academic program. These are known as “day 1 CPT universities.” At these universities, usually, only certain degree programs qualify for day 1 CPT. Technically, any qualifying international students at these schools can apply for CPT from day 1, or from the start of their program, but it is usually only available for graduate students in select programs.  

Understanding CPT from day 1

At schools that offer CPT from day 1, some international students have the opportunity to start working at an eligible job or internship on or after the official start date of their program, which is usually the first day of classes. To qualify, the job must meet the requirements of the CPT program:

  • Related to the student’s field of study
  • Satisfies an integral part of the academic program (an internship course or other specific degree requirement or elective)
  • Approved by a Designated Schools Official (DSO) through SEVIS

Part-time CPT is up to 20 hours per week, and full-time CPT is up to 40 hours per week. Usually, a CPT job or internship will last either one semester or one year. You could even potentially have two different part-time internships with two different CPT authorizations if they are both authorized by your school. Graduate students may also use CPT for fieldwork or other work that is necessary for a thesis, dissertation, or capstone project. All CPT must be approved before beginning any work to ensure compliance.

How is day 1 CPT different from standard CPT? 

Generally, international students can only use CPT after they have completed a full year of academic study. Standard CPT is open to all eligible students on F-1 visas whereas day 1 CPT is only available at some schools. Undergraduate and graduate-level international students can use standard CPT, but day 1 CPT is usually only granted to graduate students.

Day 1 CPT is a legal exception to the one-year waiting period for CPT in qualifying degree programs that require real-life work experience. If you enroll in an eligible master’s or PhD program at a day 1 CPT university, you can apply for off-campus work authorization right away. This may be beneficial for master’s students in programs that are only 1-2 years long and other international students who want to start gaining work experience right away.

Pros and cons of CPT from day 1

The most obvious benefits of CPT from day 1 is that you will be able to start making money and gaining work experience as soon as you start school rather than having to wait a year. Some master’s degree programs in the US are only one year long. Without day 1 CPT, international students in one-year programs would not be able to work off-campus at all during their studies.

Day 1 CPT may also be a great option for students who want to save Optional Practical Training (OPT) for after graduation. OPT is only available once for each degree level. You cannot use OPT for a second master’s if you already used it for your first master’s, but you can use CPT from day 1 for a second master’s. You may even be able to use it for PhD programs where available. However, CPT day 1 authorization is most commonly used for master’s programs.

If you do one year of full-time CPT (more than 20 hours per week), you will not be eligible for OPT during your studies or after graduation. This means you would have to leave the US or secure another visa within 60 days after graduating. To avoid this, keep full-time CPT employment under 12 months total throughout your academic program. You can work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) for over a year without losing OPT eligibility. However, the exact amount of time you can spend on CPT varies depending on the requirements and rules of your degree program.

Interstride Tip! Make sure to only apply to accredited colleges and universities in the US. Unfortunately, there are some scams targeting international students where unaccredited schools attract paying students by offering illegal day 1 CPT.

 

How to apply to day 1 CPT

First, you will need to be accepted to and enrolled in a US college or university offering CPT from the first semester. When researching schools, ask admissions representatives if day 1 CPT is available for international students in your desired degree program. Also, consider the location of the schools you are interested in and do some initial research to see what industries and jobs are common in that area of the US. 

Once you enroll in a school, you can start looking for a related job or internship. Make sure to inform your employer that you are an international student and will be applying for work authorization through the CPT program. Your official employment start date can be anytime on or after the first day of classes. 

After you have a job offer but before you start working, you will need to submit a CPT authorization request through your school’s international student services office. If your CPT request is approved, the school’s DSO will issue you a new I-20 form. Depending on your degree program’s requirements, you may also need to register for a college course to earn credit for your internship.

Interstride Tip! What if your internship is unpaid? Check out this blog to learn whether you need day 1 CPT or standard CPT for your unpaid internship.

 

​​Day 1 CPT colleges and universities

CPT from day 1 of classes is only available at some schools. There is not a complete list of colleges offering CPT from day 1 because policies often change and circumstances vary by program and student. Here are some day 1 CPT universities for graduate students as of the 2023-2024 school year:

Conclusion

Ensure your day 1 CPT is legal by making sure your school’s DSO gets the CPT approved through SEVIS. While you are working, make sure you do not go over your allotted hours and only work for the employer and location listed on your I-20 document. As long as you follow these guidelines, you can legally use day 1 CPT to start working on the first day of your academic program, bypassing the usual one-year wait time for off-campus work for international students. This is an excellent option for international graduate students who want to gain as much work experience as possible in the US.

The post What is day 1 CPT? appeared first on Interstride.

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