International Students CPT/ OPT

Work Authorization for International Students

Work Authorization for International Students

International students in F-1 student visa status can request approval to work off-campus via the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs To learn more about eligibility requirements for this program, please visit the Office of International Education’s (OIE) Curricular Practical Training website online at isss.oie.gatech.edu/content/curricular-practical-training-cpt-georgia-tech.

Curricular Practical Training authorizations can be granted for part-time or full-time internships. Those pursuing part-time internships must also be enrolled in 6-9 semester credits of in-classroom courses at Georgia Tech to achieve full-time status (12 hours).

Involvement in the GT Internship program requires a commitment of full-time or part-time employment for a minimum of 14 weeks for the fall or spring semesters or a minimum of 8 weeks for the summer term. Interns typically work for one semester, with the flexibility of participating in multiple internships, and in some cases, have the option of working for two consecutive terms (e.g. spring and summer or summer and fall).

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Breakdown of hours

Part-time: 10-19 hours per week = 3 hour audit course
Part-time: 20-29 hours per week = 6 hour audit course
Part-time: 30-35 hours per week = 9 hour audit course
Full-time: 36 and up hours per week = 12 hour audit course

Program Eligibility

GPA of 2.0 or above
Good academic standing
Experiential Learning Application must be completed in CareerBuzz

GRADUATE STUDENTS

Breakdown of Hours

Part-time: 6 – 9 hours = 3 hour audit course
Part-time: 10 – 15 hours per week = 4 hour audit course
Part-time: 16 – 20 hours per week = 6 hour audit course
Part-time: 21 – 31 hours per week = 9 hour audit course
Full-time: 32 – 40 hours per week = 12 hour audit course

Program Eligibility

GPA of 2.7 or above
Good academic standing
Experiential Learning Application must be completed in CareerBuzz

International student may use their CPT for internships and co-ops that meet the following criteria:

Work Weeks

- Summer – 8 week minimum
- Fall/Spring – 14 week minimum
The co-op or internship is directly related to student’s major
Student MUST be registered for the appropriate Co-op or Internship Course (Students will be registered by the Registrar’s office for the Georgia Tech Co-op or Internship only after they have obtained CPT or OPT work authorization.) Please allow one week for the Co-op or internship course to be added to the course schedule. If the Co-op or internship course isn’t added within one week of the CPT approval, please contact the Career Center.
While authorized for CPT, F-1 students must maintain full-time enrollment in at least 12 hours.

Note: It is important that students check their course registration to be sure that they have enough space in their schedule to allow for the addition of the Co-op or Internship hours. If the additional hours will place students over the maximum hours permitted for the term, students will not be enrolled in the internship/co-op credits. Students who are not enrolled in internship/co-op credits are ineligible to participate in CPT.

International students who wish to obtain OPT work authorization for an internship must start the process by viewing OIE’s mandatory OPT tutorial (oie.gatech.edu/OPT). We recommend that you view the OPT tutorial several months before you wish to begin your internship. OPT is recommended by an OIE advisor but authorized by U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It can take up to 90 days for USCIS to process an OPT application. Therefore, students should plan ahead if applying for OPT.

Failure to obtain work authorization prior to beginning employment may jeopardize a student’s status at Georgia Institute of Technology and their ability to remain in United States.

F-1 STATUS RELATED IMPORTANT INFORMATION. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

F-1 students may be authorized for full-time co-op or internships or part-time internships utilizing CPT. Depending on the number of hours per week, F-1 undergraduate students may register for 3, 6, 9 or 12 internship hours as determined by the Career Center.

Breakdown of Hours

Since F-1 students are required to be enrolled full-time (12 hours) during the fall and spring semesters , it is VERY important that students registering for the 3, 6, or 9 audit hours, work exactly the specified number of hours per week to meet the criteria of the internship and in compliance with CPT regulations and that they take 6 to 9 hours of academic course work at the Georgia Tech campus.

IMPORTANT: All F-1 students are required to enroll in at least 12 hours during fall and spring semesters. F-1 students will not be enrolled in the internship course until the student has received approved work authorization. Once the CPT authorization is approved by OIE, students will be registered by the Registrar’s office in the appropriate co-op or internship course. F-1 students will not be able to drop the co-op or internship course without approval from OIE.

GRADUATE STUDENTS

F-1 students may be authorized for full-time or part-time internships utilizing CPT. Depending on the number of hours per week, F-1 graduate students may register for 3, 4, 6, 9 or 12 internship hours as determined by the Career Center.

Breakdown of Hours
Part-time: 6 – 9 hours per week = 3 hour audit course
   Part-time: 10 – 15 hours per week = 4 hour audit course
   Part-time: 16 – 20 hours per week = 6 hour audit course
Part-time: 21 – 31 hours per week = 9 hour audit course
    Full-time: 32 – 40 hours per week = 12 hour audit course

Students not enrolled in a minimum of 12 hours by the end of phase 2 registration, are in violation of their F-1 status which can result in the termination of their SEVIS records.

Note: J-1 student visa holders are encouraged to contact the Georgia Tech Office of International Education (OIE) for additional information on work authorization issues.

Note: OPT is recommended by an OIE advisor, but authorized by U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It can take more than 90 + days for USCIS to process an OPT application. Therefore, students should plan ahead if applying for OPT to participate in an internship or coop.

Failure to obtain an updated I-20 with the CPT approval work authorization before beginning employment is considered a violation of F-1 student visa status and will jeopardize a student’s eligibility to continue living and working in the United States. Students will be given a permit for the co-op class only after they have obtained CPT authorization for that term.