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Cornell University

International Services

Office of Global Learning

F-1 CPT

F-1 CPT Eligibility Advisory

SEVP has issued clarifications on CPT eligibility for F-1 students. Read the alert.

  • For Students

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is temporary employment authorization that allows F-1 students to work legally off campus. F-1 is a student visa—not a work visa—so F-1 students are normally limited to on-campus work done for and paid by Cornell.

To qualify for CPT, the proposed work must be directly related to your major area of study and be a curricular requirement—that is, the experience must be required of all students for degree completion. Your proposed internship or employment must also be supported by a formal agreement with the employer.

CPT is only available while you're pursuing your degree. If you've completed your degree requirements, apply for OPT instead.

I’m hoping to do an internship soon. How does the August 2026 CPT guidance affect me?

The SEVP messages about CPT took effect immediately and significantly narrow the past interpretation of CPT eligibility. Going forward, International Services can only approve CPT cases when the internship or work experience is a curricular requirement for all students in the degree program. The experience must be required for graduation.

What happens to CPT applications approved right before the recent guidance?

International Services approved CPT requests based on our information and understanding on the date and time we approved them. SEVP guidance from the first message on August 12 preserved some flexibility, so a few cases were approved before the second message was published on August 24. Given that we approved cases based on guidance known at the time of approval, we are not rescinding CPT already issued. If you're concerned about your CPT case, please reach out to us.

Will Cornell colleges, schools, or departments change internship or degree requirements to preserve CPT eligibility?

Colleges, schools, and departments across Cornell are identifying new opportunities to support internships and work opportunities for international students. We will work with academic programs wishing to add required experiential learning opportunities to their degree programs. That said, there are procedures for updating curricular requirements at any institution, and these take time. International Services does not have an estimate for how long such changes may take.

How long does a CPT application take?

We recommend applying at least two business weeks before you want to start CPT. Approvals from your academic program and campus immigration advisors are all within Cornell, so the process is usually complete in one week.

Timing: Summer CPT Is Most Common!

Summer CPT

Summer is the most popular time to use CPT. If you're a continuing student, full-time employment (more than 20 hours per week) is allowed in the summer. You can begin work the day after spring classes end for the University and work up to the last day of the summer—the day before fall classes begin. For full-time summer CPT, plan to take the related course the following fall.

Fall and Spring CPT

Employment is limited to part-time (no more than 20 hours per week) during the fall and spring semesters. Occasionally, students take a leave of absence for a semester to pursue an internship required for the degree program. If you are on leave of absence and meet the other CPT eligibility criteria, you may be authorized for full-time CPT in the fall or spring. Students on full-time CPT during a leave of absence must return for at least one full semester of enrollment after completing the internship.

Check Your CPT Eligibility

CPT is not available to every F-1 student because it depends on academic program requirements. Learn more about the criteria you must meet—and a few exceptions only for graduate and transfer students.

Exceptions to the Two-Semester Enrollment Requirement

If you're a graduate student whose degree requires immediate participation in an internship, you can apply for CPT before you've met the one academic year requirement. Graduate students with the following program codes may apply before completing two full semesters:

  • PUBHAC-MPH and PUBHLT-MPH
  • BADM-MBA and MGMBA-MBA (for summer internships only)

Graduate students on reduced course load for health reasons may not be eligible for CPT. Contact us if you have questions about your eligibility.

If you're a transfer student who attended your previous SEVP-approved institution for two semesters, you are eligible for part-time CPT after completing your first semester at Cornell or returning from a leave of absence of less than five months. You can apply for full-time CPT for the following summer if you are not enrolled in courses for credit.

I’m planning employment that directly supports my graduate thesis. Am I eligible for CPT based on the recent guidance? 

Based on the August 2026 SEVP guidance, CPT will only be approved if all students in the graduate degree program are required to have work experience to attain the degree.

Can I get CPT now to fulfill a past course requirement?  

Courses that require employment to earn credit must be taken at the same time as the employment or in the semester immediately after it. You may not enroll in the course before your employment.  

Will my CPT affect my eligibility for OPT?

CPT does not affect your eligibility for OPT unless you work 12 months or more in full-time CPT. If you work 12 months or more, you are no longer eligible for OPT. Part-time CPT is defined as working 20 hours or less per week and does not affect OPT eligibility.

Questions? Contact us.

How to Apply for CPT

Be sure to apply at least two business weeks before you want to start CPT employment. Your CPT application must be approved before you start working.

Throughout the application process, you'll connect with your academic advisor or program administrator, as well as immigration advisors on your campus. Ithaca students work with International Services immigration advisors. Cornell Tech students work with advisors in Student and Academic Affairs.

Let's get started!

  1. Make Plan
  2. Find Job
  3. Pick Dates
  4. Request CPT
  5. Stand By
  6. Sign I-20

1Make a CPT plan! Determine your timing and eligibility.

You'll choose the best time for CPT based on your curriculum requirements and course timing. Remember that summer is the most common CPT timing. The amount you can work depends on whether you are registered for classes. Your CPT can be either full-time or part-time:

  • During summer and winter breaks, if you are not registered for classes, you may work full-time (more than 20 hours per week) or part-time (up to 20 hours per week).
  • When classes are in session, if you are a registered student, you may work part-time (up to 20 hours per week). Exactly 20 hours is the maximum weekly time you can work.

As an F-1 student, you must either be enrolled full-time or participate in full-time CPT to maintain your status. There is no flexibility on this policy.

My authorization is based on a course. When do I take the course credit related to my CPT? 

  • For summer CPT: Take the course credit the following fall.
  • For spring and fall semester part-time CPT: Take the course credit at the same time as your employment or the following semester.
  • For winter break full-time CPT: Take the course credit in the spring.  

When can I register for NMI 5000/5101?

If you are a Johnson Graduate School of Management MBA student, you can register for NMI 5000/5101 when registration opens. These courses are not available to undergraduates.

Can I take a leave of absence to work?

You may take a leave of absence for a semester in order to work full-time, so long as you meet all other criteria for CPT. Your academic department must confirm that the work experience is equal to a full course of study for that semester.

If you plan to take a leave of absence and you wish to pursue an internship, full-time CPT is only possible if the internship is required for your degree program. Your employment dates must span the entire semester—you must start work no later than the first day of classes and end no earlier than the last day of classes.

Students on full-time CPT during a leave of absence must return for at least one full semester of enrollment after completing the internship.

2Find a job or internship related to your major field.

The position must be with a U.S.-based employer and directly related to your major area of study.

Found a position? Congratulations! Now request an employment offer letter on company letterhead that includes this mandatory information:

  1. Specific start and end dates (see step 3)
  2. Specific number of work hours per week
  3. Detailed description of the work you'll perform; specific duties, responsibilities, tasks, goals.
  4. Employer's U.S. street address
  5. Employer's signature and date

Make sure the letter is on your employer's letterhead and includes all five of the items above before you complete the online application (step 4).

3Choose your employment start and end dates.

You and your employer need to agree on your start and end dates. These dates must appear in your employment offer letter (see step 2). Please note that we can't backdate your CPT approval. We can only approve your CPT request if the letter has a start date that is in the future.

When should I start and end my summer or winter internship? 

  • Your start date for full-time employment must be after the last day of classes listed on the academic calendar and after your last exam.
  • Your end date (last day of full-time work) must be before the next semester’s start of classes.
  • During other times when classes are not in session listed on the academic calendar, you may work full-time. Your full-time work must end before classes resume.

Can I start my job before I get CPT authorization? 

No. You must complete the application process and receive CPT authorization with a new CPT I-20 before you begin working.

4Complete an online application to request CPT.

Apply for CPT through the myStatus portal. The application form will prompt you to upload your CPT employment offer letter and select your academic advisor or program administrator.

5Stand by during the review process.

Your academic advisor or program administrator will automatically receive a request to verify curricular eligibility. If the program verifies your eligibility, your application will be automatically forwarded to an immigration advisor for a final decision.

The complete review process typically takes one to two weeks. You'll hear from an immigration advisor if you need to supply more information or as soon as a decision is made.

6Receive, sign, and date your new I-20.

If your CPT request is approved, your immigration advisor will create an updated I-20 with a recommendation for CPT. You'll receive your new CPT I-20 by your chosen method of delivery. Review, sign, and date your new I-20 as soon as you receive it.

Your CPT I-20 authorizes you for specific dates of employment. You cannot begin work before the listed start date or continue working after the end date. If you work before or past the CPT approval dates, you are working illegally and could lose your immigration status.

You may use your new CPT I-20 for travel. The travel signature is valid for 12 months or until your program end date, whichever is earlier.

Help! I need to work past my I-20's CPT end date.

If you need to work beyond your end date, contact an immigration advisor at least two weeks before the end date to discuss your situation.

Can I do CPT after I graduate from my program?  

If you have graduated, you do not qualify for CPT—but you may qualify for OPT after graduation.

Ready to Apply?

Apply for CPT through the myStatus portal. Cornell Tech students: Visit the Cornell Tech header to locate your CPT request form.

Next Up: F-1 OPT