Requesting Authorization for CPT (ISSS Portal)
- 1 Overview of CPT
- 2 Step One: Meet with Your Academic or Faculty Advisor
- 3 Step Two: Complete the Required Training
- 4 Step Three: Complete the Curricular Practical Training Authorization Request
- 5 Step Four: Upload the Required Documents
- 6 Step Four: Receive the Updated I-20 with CPT Approval
- 7 Step Five: Complete the Approved CPT Opportunity
Overview of CPT
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is one of three work authorization for F-1 students in the U.S. It is intended to provide work experience in the U.S. in the student’s field of study through internships, cooperative education, or other work-study programs where the work serves as an integral part of a student’s academic program and an established curriculum, typically prior to completion of that program.
CPT allows you to participate in required internships or integral experiential learning as part of your degree program. These experiences can be paid or unpaid. CPT is required for all internship opportunities with some form of compensation and is strongly recommended for unpaid internships.
Do not engage in any off-campus work without proper authorization from International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) or USCIS.
In order to proceed with the request, you must have your CPT course certificate of completion, your employer offer letter, and a letter from your academic/faculty advisor. You must also be registered for the required course in the semester in which you plan to complete the CPT experience. Finally, you must also complete the required CPT training and upload your certificate of completion.
These guidelines ensure you meet the requirements and make the most of your CPT experience. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to ISSS!
Step One: Meet with Your Academic or Faculty Advisor
Ensuring that your CPT opportunity meets the requirements of your program is a critical part of the process. Discuss the opportunity with your advisor and make sure that all of the details are clear and that your advisor supports your participation before beginning the next steps.
Your academic or faculty advisor must submit a letter of recommendation affirming that your internship meets specific requirements. Recommending CPT for F-1 Students describes the requirements and the necessary letter in detail.
Please be sure to discuss with your academic advisor which course will be tied to your CPT experience. You must enroll in a course to qualify for CPT unless your CPT is based on a specific degree requirement for all students. The course must be completed in the same semester that your internship will take place. Enroll in this course before you submit your CPT E-form (Step 3). If you are not enrolled in coursework, your CPT request will not be approved.
Step Two: Complete the Required Training
We require that all students complete a short training on your CPT responsibilities. You can enroll in and complete this training at Curricular Practical Training Seminar.
Complete the course and download the certificate of completion. You will need to upload the certificate of completion to request the CPT.
Step Three: Complete the Curricular Practical Training Authorization Request
Log into your ISSS Portal following the instructions in Logging in to the ISSS Portal guide.
Select the Curricular Practical Training Authorization Request.
Employer Name
The name of employer is very important. Sometimes employers may be known by different names. We need the official name of the employer as it would appear in E-verify. Please note that the employer name listed on this form should match the employer name on the employment letter. If the name is different, ISSS is unable to approve your request and provide the CPT I-20. We will reference the letter when reporting the CPT employment in the student’s immigration record in SEVIS. The name will be listed on the I-20 exactly the same as reported in SEVIS.
Date Range
This should be the start date until the end date of your employment. Your employment date range should match the range that is listed on the offer letter from your employer.
ISSS typically approves CPT requests per semester. CPT opportunities that are pursued in a semester period must have an assigned course that the student registers for within that period.
The Spring Semester ranges from January 1 to May 31, the Summer Semester ranges from May 1 to August 31, and the Fall Semester ranges from August 1 to December 31. Your CPT date range must fall within the appropriate semester. If it does not, you will need to reapply for CPT for additional semesters, with a corresponding course in each semester of the CPT experience.
For example, if your CPT date range is April 7 until September 27, you will need to submit 3 CPT requests: from April 7 to May 31, from June 1 to August 31, and From September 1 to September 27.
Hours Per Week
If you are working 1 to 20.0 hours per week, your employment is part-time. If you are working 20.1 or more hours per week, your employment is full-time.
Students who exceed 12 months of full-time CPT are not eligible for Optional Practical Training.
Curricular Nature of CPT Experience
We will also need a statement from you explaining how this practical experience relates to your field of study. This does not need to be long (2-3 sentences will suffice) but it will be submitted directly to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It is important that your statement is clear and accurate.
Employment Address
This is the physical address where your employment will take place. Sometimes an employer may have separate addresses, such as headquarters address and different site addresses. You must enter the site address in which you will be working. If your employment is remote, you must list your home address where you will be physically located. This address must match the address on your employment offer letter.
Enter your supervisor’s name, phone number, and email.
Step Four: Upload the Required Documents
Once you have completed the Curricular Practical Training Authorization Request in the ISSS Portal, you must upload the required documents.
Job Offer Letter
We also need a copy of your job offer letter uploaded. The letter must include the following information:
Student’s Name
Student’s Address
Employer Name (Super Important - please note that we will reference the letter when reporting the CPT employment in the student’s immigration record in SEVIS. The name will be listed on the I-20 exactly the same as reported in SEVIS).
Employer Physical Address (not a PO Box)
Start Date
End Date
Hours of Work per Week
Rate per Hour (or indication that position is unpaid)
Supervisor's Name, Title, Phone Number, and Email
Student’s Position
Student’s General Duties (a sentence or two of general description is sufficient)
A template letter is available. The letter should be printed on company letterhead and signed.
If your employer has questions regarding what is required, you can refer them to this page: Understanding Curricular Practical Training(CPT) Compliance.
Advisor’s CPT Recommendation Letter
As mentioned in Step One above, you must obtain a CPT Recommendation Letter from your academic/faculty advisor and upload it with your request.
Step Four: Receive the Updated I-20 with CPT Approval
After receiving confirmation of approval from your faculty or academic advisor, ISSS will issue you an updated I-20 that includes CPT authorization on the second page. You will be able to download the I-20 with the CPT authorization in the ISSS Portal. Print it out in color and sign in blue ink. The I-20 authorization will show the name of the employer you are approved for and the dates you have been approved for. IMPORTANT, you cannot engage in work outside of the dates on your I-20 approval.
Step Five: Complete the Approved CPT Opportunity
After receiving CPT approval on your form I-20, you may begin your CPT experience. While participating in your experience, you must:
work only during the dates listed;
only work for the employer listed;
report any changes in your program or employment to ISSS before they take effect;
maintain enrollment in the courses attached to the CPT experience; and
Maintain your CPT-approved I-20 and employment documentation in your records as you may need them in the future.
If you do not have an SSN number, please contact an ISSS advisor for information about how to apply for the SSN with a CPT job offer;
Related content
A guide for CPT employers is available here:https://utkisss.atlassian.net/wiki/x/GIBfAQ.
A guide for faculty and academic advisors is available here:https://utkisss.atlassian.net/wiki/x/AwDXdw.