Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é

Both the student and the job opportunity must adhere to Department of Homeland Security regulations in order to qualify for CPT.

You must:

• Be a degree-seeking student who is maintaining F-1 status
  • Non-degree and English Language Institute (ELI) students are ineligible for CPT
• Have maintained F-1 status at the college/university level for one full academic year at the time your CPT begins
  • Exception: If you are a graduate student and your program requires practical training during the first year, you can be authorized for CPT immediately
• Have declared a major
• Obtain a job offer for a position related to your major
• Not have any holds that prevent you from registering for the semester

Your position must:

• Be an "integral" part of your academic program 
  • Your academic advisor will indicate if the opportunity is "required" or "recommended" for your degree
• Have a start date in the future. OIP cannot retroactively approve CPT, and you cannot begin working until you are notified that your CPT has been approved.
• Not interfere with your ability to complete your other required coursework.
  • Remember: You are a student first! Your immigration status is dependent upon being a student. Work authorization is an added benefit. 

1. Review the CPT Presentation in the "CPT Presentation" tab of this page
   
   • The presentation will soon be replaced with online modules
     
     
2. Obtain a job offer letter on company letterhead from your prospective employer that contains the following information.  If your job offer letter does not contain the required details, you must request a new letter from your employer. Your application will not be approved if information is missing .
   • Full name of the company
   • Location (full street address) of the proposed employment
   • Job title
   • Detailed job description indicating direct relation to course of study
   • Number of hours per week
   • Exact start date of employment
   • Exact end date of employment, if applicable (CPT will only be authorized one semester at a time)

1. Submit the CPT Application through   at least 2 weeks before the proposed start date. 
   • Your academic advisor (and the Graduate School, if you are a graduate student) must approve the request before an OIP advisor can review it. Applying early is essential. 
     
     
2. Check your UTEP email account! An OIP Advisor will email you if any additional information is needed, or once your application has been approved. 
3. Pick up your new I-20 from OIP once you receive the notification that it has been approved. Check page 2 of the I-20 to ensure the details of your employment are correct.
4. Report your job to the Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é Career Center via JobMine. Click here for instructions.
5. Begin working no earlier than the first day of your CPT authorization, and stop working no later than the last day of your CPT authorization. WORKING WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION IS A SEVERE IMMIGRATION VIOLATION.
   • If you do not begin work at that job or if you end work before the end date, contact OIP to update your record.
6. Submit a new application to OIP at least 2 weeks before your current CPT ends if an extension is needed. 

While participating in CPT, you are still an F-1 student and need to maintain your student status. 

• If you participate in part-time or full-time CPT, you must be enrolled in a full course of study (12 credits for undergraduates, 9 credits (or 3-credit thesis/dissertation course) for graduates). 
  • Note : If you accumulate 12 months of Full-Time CPT during your program, you will not be eligible for OPT upon program completion.

• In your final semester of studies, you must be enrolled in at least 1 required course other than the COOP 0001/2 class in order to be eligible for CPT.  Also, if you have CPT during your final semester, your CPT must end by the last day of final exams for that term.
  
  
• F-1 international students are not permitted to work more than 40 hours per week. This means that graduate students with an Assistantship will not be approved for full-time CPT. However, in some instances a student can be authorized for multiple part-time CPT employers at once, as long as the employment does not exceed 40 cumulative hours per week.
  
  
• If you change employers or positions while on CPT, you must re-apply and receive a new I-20 before you can begin work.
  
  
• DO NOT START WORK BEFORE YOUR CPT START DATE, AND DO NOT KEEP WORKING BEYOND YOUR CPT END DATE. 

OIP is developing online modules to replace our in-person CPT workshops. 

While the modules are being created, students should review the presentation below before applying for CPT. For specific questions, please visit the office during walk-in advising hours to speak with an OIP advisor.

CPT Workshop Presentation