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Student Work Authorization
USCIS regulations allow international graduate students who are enrolled in an "internship" or "CPT" program to work in an internship positions for as many months as the duration of the program will allow. Through the CPT program, international students may work up to 40 hours per week.
Students may work the entire duration of their study in a full time job related to their program; however, if full-time CPT employment lasts more than eleven months, the student may lose the right to the Optional Practical Training (OPT), which is allowed to students after graduation. (OPT is a one year work authorization students may get after completing their degree).
F-1 students must first obtain work authorization for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) before working off-campus. The work authorization will be given only for jobs that are considered to be "an integral part of an established curriculum".
F-1 students wishing to participate in an off-campus training program that is "an integral part of an established curriculum" must first obtain work authorization for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). The training, which must be directly related to the student’s major field of study, is defined as "alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum, which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school" (Title 8, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 214.2 (f)(10).
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