Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is off-campus employment or an internship related to and is integral to your degree program. Authorization for CPT is granted by OISS, and authorization can take about 2 weeks. Be sure to submit your application at least 3 weeks before the desired start date of your employment. CPT is not to be used to receive an off-campus job, it is authorized as an integral piece to your degree program. OISS has the authority to approve or deny any request. No fee is required.

Eligibility Requirements:

  1. Per the Code of Federal Regulations under §8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i), you must have been in F-1 student status and enrolled full-time for at least one academic year (3 quarters) in order to be eligible for CPT.  If you transferred to UCSB directly from a post-completion OPT period, please consult with an OISS advisor regarding CPT eligibility in your first year at UCSB. The internship must be integral to your degree program.
  2. If you were legally enrolled, full-time under a different visa type, you may be eligible for CPT. 
  3. You must have at least a 2.5 GPA to be eligible.
  4. During the academic term, you are only eligible for part-time CPT (20 hours/week). However, students can work on campus for 20 hours and on CPT for 20 hours per week during the academic term.
  5. During break periods between quarters and during the summer break, you are eligible for full-time CPT (up to 40 hours/week). 
  6. Throughout your degree program, you are eligible to take part in as much CPT as the curriculum, or your academic department, will permit. However, the CPT authorization cannot go beyond the completion date of your degree program. Caution is encouraged when considering multiple quarters of CPT, please consult with an OISS advisor.
  7. You can begin your training only after receiving CPT authorization. The authorization cannot be back dated.
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Student in Lab

How To Apply

  1. Meet with your major or academic advisor to determine eligibility to enroll in an internship course offered by your major department. At this time, let them know that you will be requesting them to complete a Cooperative Agreement with you and the host organization for your internship.
  2. Ensure that you, your department and host organization understand all requirements on the Cooperative Agreement to provide to OISS for review and consideration.
  3. Log into the UCSBGlobal platform and submit your CPT request at least at least 3 weeks before start date of internship. If your start date falls within 2 weeks of submission, we will request a new offer Cooperative Agreement showing an updated start date.
  4. You will be asked to enter information about your internship and upload a copy of your class schedule from GOLD showing your enrollment in an internship course. The course description must explicitly state an internship is required for successful completion of the course.
  5. Once your CPT is approved, you will receive an approval notification from OISS. You will be provided a new I-20 with your CPT authorization on page 2. Please review information for accuracy.
  6. You may now begin your CPT employment on the authorized start date! 
  7. You must inform OISS if you discontinue your internship for any reason so the necessary updates can be made to your immigration record.

Cooperative Agreement:

  • All parties (student, UCSB Academic Department, Host Organization) must sign and agree to the terms included in the Cooperative Agreement
  • Include the physical address of company
  • Include position offered (title) and a description of how the internship contributes and relates to the degree program
  • Specify employment start and end dates (these must match the academic quarter dates in which you’ll be performing your internship)
  • Include number of hours per week you will be working

 Download the CPT Cooperative Agreement

Important Things To Note:

  • You may not begin your employment until you have received express CPT authorization from OISS. Working without prior authorization is a violation of your student status and will lead to SEVIS (I-20) record termination.
  • You will not be permitted to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) if you reach 364 days of full-time CPT.  We recommend capping your full time CPT to 350 days to avoid any miscalculations that may result in going over the 364 day limit.
  • The main objectives of your employment must be directly related to the major shown on your I-20. Make sure your I-20 reflects your correct major and degree level. 
  • Remote work is acceptable for companies based in the U.S. Remote work for companies outside the U.S. is not allowed. 
  • Internship courses must be taken for a minimum of 1 unit. 
  • Summer CPT-During the summer, students are welcome to do CPT. The internship course may occur during any of the summer sessions. The minimum number of units for a summer CPT internship class is 1 unit. 
  • CPT is authorized quarterly. If your internship spans multiple quarters:
    • You must submit a separate CPT application for each quarter.
    • You must register for at least one internship unit per term.
    • Full-time internships during academic breaks require its own separate application and approval.