Overview

1. Welcome!
CPT and OPT

2. Your Presenter
James Tenney
Associate Director
UC International Services

3. Small Group Facilitators
Lauren Steinmann
Assistant Director
UC International Services
Joel Keefer
Advisor
UC International
Services
Ashley Albrinck
Advisor
UC International
Services

4. UC International Services
7148 Edwards Center One
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0640
Campus Mail Location 0640
Phone: 513-556-4278
Fax: 513-556-2990
International.Services@uc.edu
uc.edu/international

5. UC International Services
8am-5pm Monday through Friday
Email and Phone are best ways to communicate
Walk-Ins available

6. Practical Training
• Practical training is a legal means by which F-1 students can
obtain employment/experiences in areas related to their
academic field of study for academic credit.
• Practical training allows international students to undertake
paid work, and unpaid experiences in the U.S. while they are
still pursuing their studies as well as immediately following
their graduation.

7. Practical Training
• There are two types of practical training:
• Optional Practical Training (OPT)
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Students, in general, must have completed one academic
year (30 Weeks of study) in the US in Full Time classes and
be in F-1 status at the time they apply.

8. Curricular Practical Training
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is designed to provide eligible students with an
opportunity to gain actual training/employment/practical experience that is an
integral part of an established curriculum. The training is necessary in order to
complete the degree (not just a great opportunity, or to help you work while you
wait on OPT)
• Such training is defined as alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education,
or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring
employers to fulfill a curricular requirement at UC.
• This includes paid or unpaid employment, or experiences such as EEPs, that take
place in the US.
• Co-Ops done outside the US require the submission of the CPT eForm. CPT will
not be issued, but the eForm is necessary so that your F-1 SEVIS required
remains active.

9. Curricular Practical Training
• In order to obtain Curricular Practical Training, you must
have completed one academic year (30 weeks) of full-time
study in the US in a lawful immigration status and currently
be in F-1 status.
• There is an exception to this rule for graduate students who
are required to complete a co-op or internship during the
first year of study.

10. Curricular Practical Training
• You are not limited in the amount of Curricular Practical Training you
may utilize (other than what is limited by your academic department –
remember this is for fulfilling an academic requirement)
• However, students who engage in one (1) year (365 days) or more of
full-time CPT are ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
• Official UC Co-Ops (credit bearing) done on campus still need CPT.
• EEPs require CPT

11. Curricular Practical Training
• To submit your CPT request, use the CPT eForm in iBearcatsGlobal
https://ibearcatsglobal.uc.edu
• Students should make sure to list the Co-Op Advisor (CCPS) and not your Academic Advisor as
the “academic advisor” on the CPT eForm. Others will perhaps need to use their Graduate
Program Director.
• CPT requests take 5 business days to process after it’s been certified by the Co-Op Advisor.
Make sure you submit requests well in advance of when you need to start work. (employers
understand that you cannot work right away)
• If your application for CPT is approved, UC International Services will authorize your CPT on
your I-20 form. With this authorization you can begin your employment. Make sure you do
not work until you receive an I-20 from UC International Services certifying you can work.

12. Options to Save Post-Completion OPT
• Co-Ops done outside the U.S. do not require CPT
authorization and therefore do not count against OPT time.
(we still need the CPT eForm to maintain your F-1 Status while
you are overseas)
• You also must be outside the US for the entire semester, not just when
the Co-Op begins/ends.
• The Employer must also be located outside the US.
• Use OPT for some Co-Op periods.
• Requires 90 days advanced processing and is subtracted from the
12 months of OPT you are eligible for after graduation.

13. Optional Practical Training (OPT)
• All F-1 students get 12 months of OPT per higher degree
level.
• Students in STEM fields can obtain a 24-month OPT
extension if hired by a company that uses the E-Verify
system.
• A second STEM OPT period can be obtained if the student
returns to school and obtains a higher level degree in a
STEM field.

14. Optional Practical Training (OPT)
• Employment is authorized on an Employment Authorization
Document (EAD). The student’s name, photo and validity dates of
employment are printed on the EAD.
• $410 Fee - 90 Day Processing Time
• $1500 Premium Process - 30 Day Processing Time
• Employers should also be aware that the amount of time it takes
USCIS to approve the EAD is beyond the control of the student or
the school. Delays of 90 days or more are typical during the
summer months.

15. How To Apply for OPT
• You will need to go to https://ibearcatsglobal.uc.edu. Under the F-1 Practical Training link you will find
the 12-Month and 24-Month STEM OPT Request eForms.
• You are required to scan and upload copies of all documents referenced on the eForm.
• UC International Services will review your request within 5 business days after your department
approves your submission. You will then receive a new I-20 and instructions on how to apply for OPT
using the USCIS Portal.
• View the appropriate OPT video at https://www.uc.edu/about/international/life/employment/opt.html
• Do not start the online OPT Application through the USCIS Portal until you have the I-20 with the OPT
Recommendation.
• Submit the OPT Application through USCIS within 30 days of the I-20 being issued, but no sooner than
90 days prior to your graduation date.

16. EAD Card
for OPT

17. Grace Period
• You are authorized to work until the expiration date on
your EAD card (Employment Authorization Document).
• You have a 60 day grace period after that date to
extend your status, change your status, or leave the
country unless you are authorized for H-1B cap gap
employment.

18. Initial 12 Month Post Completion OPT Issues
• Mailing Address: Is your name on the mailbox, is it reliable/secure?
• All employment must be within your field of study and appropriate to
your degree level.
• You must be employed at least 20 hours per week (Volunteer or Paid).
• You must not accumulate more than 90 days of unemployment.
• Employment through “temp” agencies and consulting firms is OK.
• You can be the sole proprietor of the company (start up).
• All changes must be reported within 10 days through iBearcatsGlobal.

19. 24-Month STEM OPT
• Must be currently on post-completion OPT
• Must be a degree in a STEM field issued within the last 10
years from a US institution.
• Work for an employer enrolled in the e-Verify program.
• List of eVerify employers:
https://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/about-program/e-verify-employers-search-tool

20. STEM Degree Fields
• Actuarial Science
• Computer Science (except data entry/microcomputer applications)
• Engineering
• Engineering Technologies
• Biological and Biomedical Sciences
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Military Technologies
• Physical Sciences
• Science Technologies
• Medical Scientist

21. STEM OPT Employment Issues
• All employment must be within your field of study and appropriate to your degree level.
• You must be employed (paid) at least 20 hours per week. Volunteering/Unpaid work is not
permitted.
• Employment through “temp” agencies and consulting firms may be prohibited. There
must be a bona-fide employer/employee relationship.
• You can not be the sole proprietor of the company providing the STEM OPT opportunity
Someone else with hiring authority must complete the I-983 for you.
• You can not accumulate 150 days or more of unemployment time. This includes any time
accrued during the 12 Month Initial OPT Period.
• Regular reports are needed every Six Months. Additionally, a form I-983 is needed for the
12 Month and 24 Month evaluations. A new I-983 is also needed any time you change
employers. Submit all changes, reports and evaluations in iBearcatsGlobal within 10 days
of the necessary update.

22. OPT Cap Gap
• Limit on the number of H-1B’s issued per year.
• OPT (12 Month or STEM Extension) expires after April 1, and you have
a pending or approved H-1B scheduled to start October 1 in the same
year.
• Request Cap Gap I-20 through iBearcatsGlobal.
• If on the OPT STEM Extension, you must also submit your Final
Evaluation on Form I-983.
• None of this applies if you work for a Cap Exempt Employer (typically Non-
For-Profit or Higher Education)

23. Q&A

24. Thank you!