F-1 Curricular Practical Training

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Information For F-1 International Students

ATTENTION:  International students MUST NOT engage in any off-campus work/employment—whether paid or unpaid, or for an employer outside the U.S.—without prior authorization from the ISO or USCIS. Failure to do so will put their U.S. immigration status at risk, affect future immigration benefits, and may prevent them from completing their MIT academic program.


F-1 ‘PRACTICAL TRAINING’ OVERVIEW

ATTENTION:  This CPT webpage is ONLY for F-1 degree-seeking students.

F-1 students in Non-Resident Enrollment Status DO NOT qualify for credit/unit-based CPT authorization, but they may be eligible to apply for Pre-Completion OPT.

ALL Special, Exchange, and VSP Non-Degree students DO NOT qualify for any off-campus work/employment authorization.

U.S. federal regulations impose strict limitations on work/employment opportunities for international students. Any work/employment-related activity—on or off-campus, paid or unpaid—requires proper authorization before beginning any work/employment-related activities. Understanding U.S. immigration rules and regulations regarding work/employment is crucial for a student’s success in the U.S.

F-1 international students with additional questions about what U.S. immigration considers off-campus ‘Practical Training’ work/employment should thoroughly review the ISO Employment web pages and the information regarding entrepreneurship and other U.S. immigration statuses on the ISO Student Content Access webpage [Kerberos Required]. 

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DEFINING ‘PRACTICAL TRAINING’ WORK/EMPLOYMENT

Regulations and guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) state that individuals DO NOT need to be formally classified as “employees” to require work/employment authorization under a U.S. student immigration status.

The U.S. government defines work/employment-related activities by the “nature of the work/employment-related activities, services, and/or duties performed”, regardless of whether it’s paid or unpaid, for a company outside the U.S. and/or a non-U.S. company. If a student provides a service or benefit to an employer, organization, or individual, proper work/employment authorization is required.

‘Practical Training’ Work/Employment Options

  1. Curricular Practical Training (CPT): CPT is a type of off-campus work/employment authorization (e.g., required co-op programs, internships, or thesis/dissertation-related research) that meets the criteria outlined by the U.S. government [see the What Is Curricular Practical Training (CPT)? section below].
  2. Optional Practical Training (OPT): OPT is off-campus work/employment authorization, including Pre-Completion OPT, Post-Completion OPT, and STEM OPT Extension.

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WHAT IS CURRICULAR PRACTICAL TRAINING (CPT)?

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an off-campus work/employment authorization that must comply with U.S. federal regulations [8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)]. Eligible MIT-sponsored students in F-1 status may apply for CPT, but authorization can only be granted if the following criteria are met:

CPT Eligibility Requirements

  1. Student-Specific – F-1 Students MUST:
    • Be enrolled in a degree-seeking program at MIT.
    • Have maintained full-time student status for one (1) academic year (combination of fall and spring terms).
    • Have formally declared their major field of study (Undergraduate degree students should review the For First-Year Undergraduate Students section below).
    • Be in good academic standing.
    • Have NOT yet completed all degree requirements.
  2. Integral to Degree Program: The CPT work/employment must be an integral part of the student’s degree program under the following conditions:
    • A) The CPT work/employment with a company or organization is required for all students, including domestic students, to complete their degree program. – OR –
    • B) The CPT work/employment with a company or organization is evaluated by an MIT professor and meets the following criteria:
      • The academic credits/units are granted under a required course/subject number within the student’s major degree requirements. The academic credits/units contribute towards fulfilling the elective or mandatory credits/units requirements needed for degree completion.
  3. *Course Enrollment Required: Students will enroll and complete a specific internship/experiential learning course during the academic term in which the CPT occurs and is authorized, earning credits/units toward their degree completion requirements.
  4. Directly Related to Major: The CPT work/employment must be “directly related to the student’s degree field of study”.
  5. Employer-Specific: The CPT work/employment can only be granted for a specific employer, role, duration, and location. Students must always notify their ISO Advisor of any changes.
  6. Timing-Specific: By the start of the CPT authorization, students have completed at least one academic year (concurrent fall and spring terms) in the U.S. under a valid F-1 status, along with the following criteria:
    • CPT is authorized and utilized before completion of the degree program.  
    • CPT is authorized within an official MIT academic term for:
      • Part-Time CPT: During the fall and spring academic terms, CPT can ONLY be authorized part-time (20 hours per week or less).
      • Full-Time CPT: During an official vacation term (e.g., summer or IAP), if the student is not required to be enrolled full-time during that specific term [8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(ii)(A)], CPT can be authorized full-time (more than 20 hours per week).
  7. Pre-Approved by ISO: Students MUST obtain CPT authorization from the ISO and be within the approved CPT dates listed on the CPT Form I-20 (page 2) BEFORE starting any CPT work/employment, including employer orientations, onboarding, or meetings.
    • For questions regarding master’s/Ph.D. thesis/dissertation CPT eligibility, students must meet all the CPT eligibility requirements, including the requirements listed in the CPT Authorization For Thesis/Dissertation section below.

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CPT Authorization Requirements

  1. Curricular Academic Department Approval: CPT authorization is subject to the student’s academic department’s approval and confirmation that the student will enroll in the required course/elective subject during the academic term in which the CPT is authorized.
    • For master’s/Ph.D. students requesting CPT based on thesis/dissertation must provide a letter that meets all the criteria listed in the Required Documents & Information section below (#2), including the four (4) pieces of information listed below.
  2. Student Certifications: When submitting a CPT request to iMIT, students must certify that they will:
    • Meet the criteria listed above in the CPT Eligibility Requirements section.
    • Enroll in the required CPT-related course/elective at MIT, ensuring it meets all course requirements and earns the necessary academic credits/units for CPT authorization.
    • Confirm that withdrawing from or failing to complete the required course/elective while continuing CPT-authorized work/employment will violate their F-1 student immigration status. Such a violation would require the ISO to terminate their U.S. immigration record for ‘unauthorized employment.’
  3. ISO CPT eCourse: To apply for CPT off-campus work/employment authorization, F-1 students must complete the ISO CPT Canvas eCourse and score 90% or higher on the associated CPT Canvas eCourse Quiz.
  4. Immigration Reporting: Students must immediately notify their ISO Advisor of any changes to their CPT authorization and/or employment.

*ATTENTION: CPT authorization CANNOT be issued for independent study courses, a student’s personal start-up, and/or individual contract work/employment.

*The ISO recommends that CPT-eligible courses within a program’s curriculum include an internship or experiential learning component in their course descriptions listed in the MIT Bulletin. This description should also specify that completing the internship or experiential learning component is required to receive a grade for the course/subject. Academic program coordinators are encouraged to consult their ISO Advisor Point-of-Contact with any questions about eligible courses or when considering the development of new courses involving internship/experiential learning components related to CPT eligibility.

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ELIGIBLE DATES FOR CPT AUTHORIZATION

CPT authorization can ONLY be issued within an official MIT academic term. Students can refer to the guidelines below to find the earliest and latest allowable dates for internships or work/employment experiences authorized by CPT for the upcoming academic terms.

  • Eligible CPT Authorization START Dates: Are restricted by the final exam period/official grading deadline of the preceding academic term.
  • Eligible CPT Authorization END Dates: Are restricted by the final exam period/official grading deadline of the term in which the CPT work/employment takes place.

*CAUTION: A student’s CPT authorization start date can NEVER be BEFORE the official MIT Academic Calendar final exam period/official grading deadline of the preceding term. For example, a CPT authorization for the Summer 2026 term CANNOT start before May 21, 2026.*.

Current/Future Eligible CPT Dates

2025 Academic Year

  • Spring 2025: February 1, 2025, to May 21, 2025 (Part-Time)
  • Summer 2025: May 22, 2025, to August 22, 2025 (Part-Time or Full-Time)
  • Fall 2025: August 23, 2025, to December 19, 2025 (Part-Time)

2026 Academic Year

  • IAP 2026: December 20, 2025 to January 30, 2026 (Part-Time or Full-Time)
  • Spring 2026: January 31, 2026 to May 20, 2026 (Part-Time)
  • Summer 2026: May 21, 2026 to August 21, 2026 (Part-Time or Full-Time)
  • Fall 2026: August 22, 2026 to December 18, 2026 (Part-Time)

2027 Academic Year

  • IAP 2027: December 20, 2026 to January 29, 2027 (Part-Time or Full-Time)
  • Spring 2027: February 1, 2027 to May 19, 2027 (Part-Time)
  • Summer 2027: May 20, 2027 to August 20, 2027 (Part-Time or Full-Time)
  • Fall 2027: August 21, 2027 to December 17, 2027 (Part-Time)

2028 Academic Year

  • IAP 2028: December 18, 2027 to January 28, 2028 (Part-Time or Full-Time)
  • Spring 2028: January 29, 2028 to May 17, 2028 (Part-Time)
  • Summer 2028: May 18, 2028 to August 18, 2028 (Part-Time or Full-Time)
  • Fall 2028: August 19, 2028 to December 22, 2028 (Part-Time)

Dates are subject to change based on the official MIT Academic Calendar and will be updated accordingly.

Employer-Specific Internship Cohorts/Programs

If a student is interning with an employer that has fixed internship cohorts/programs for ALL interns (both international and domestic) that extend beyond the eligible CPT authorization dates listed above, the employer must provide the student with additional documentation that includes:

  1. A complete list of all internship cohort/program dates, and
  2. Confirmation that one of the following applies to the student:
    • a) ALL interns are subject to the same fixed internship cohort/program dates.
    • b) The student was NOT eligible for the earlier internship cohorts/programs end date that aligned with the MIT-eligible CPT authorization dates.e.

After the student submits this additional documentation via iMIT as part of their Curricular Practical Training e-Form request, along with all other required materials, an ISO Advisor will review the request and supporting documentation to determine if a later CPT end date can be authorized.

ATTENTION: If a student arbitrarily selects an internship cohort/program date outside the eligible CPT authorization dates without meeting the above criteria, the ISO can only authorize CPT until the end of the term in which the CPT is authorized as specified. The student would then need to apply for Pre-Completion OPT with USCIS to continue working beyond the eligible CPT term end date. If approved, Pre-Completion OPT will allow the student to work for the additional period.

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APPLYING FOR CPT AUTHORIZATION & IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY – To apply for CPT off-campus work/employment authorization, students must submit their CPT application through iMIT at least three (3) weeks before their intended work/employment start date.

How to Apply For CPT

  1. Complete ISO CPT eCourse: Students must complete the ISO CPT Canvas eCourse and score 90% or higher on the associated CPT Canvas eCourse Quiz.
  2. Employer CPT Support/Offer Letter: Obtain an Employer CPT Support/Offer Letter from a host company/organization [see the Required Documents & Information section, #1 below].
  3. Academic Department CPT Support Letter: Students must obtain a CPT Support Letter from their MIT academic department [see the Required Documents & Information section, #2 below].
  4. Submit ISO CPT e-Form Request: Students must log into their iMIT portal, navigate to the ‘F-1 Practical Training’ tab, and submit the ‘Curricular Practical Training’ e-Form with all required information and documents.
  5. Receive CPT Form I-20: Once the ISO reviews and approves a student’s CPT e-Form request and documentation, the student will receive a new Form I-20, which lists their approved CPT work/employment on page 2.

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Required Documents & Information

  1. Employer CPT Support/Offer Letter: An Employer CPT Support/Offer Letter MUST be between 1 and 3 pages in length. If it exceeds this limit, the student MUST highlight all required information, as we cannot evaluate lengthy letters. Refer to an example of an acceptable Employer CPT Support/Offer Letter here. All Employer CPT Support/Offer Letters MUST:
    • a) Be on letterhead and signed.
    • b) List the employer’s full legal name (e.g., ‘Google LLC’, not ‘Google.com’ or just ‘Google’). This is typically listed in the letter.
    • c) Provide the position title and a detailed description of the duties/responsibilities of the role.
    • d) Internship start and end dates.
    • e) List the number of hours per week or specify “Full-Time”.
    • f) Provide salary/stipend amounts (if applicable).
    • g) Provide the student’s supervisor’s contact information (phone and email) or the internship program/hiring personnel’s contact information if different from the supervisor’s.
    • h) Worksite address (i.e., where the student will physically be working/located) and the employer’s main company address, if different from the worksite address.
  2. Academic Department CPT Support Letter: An Academic Department CPT Support Letter MUST be on departmental letterhead, signed by an MIT faculty advisor, graduate/undergraduate officer, program director, or program administrator, confirming support for the training/experience and the student’s eligibility for CPT authorization. The letter MUST include all of the following:
    • A) Student’s Academic Program Details:
      • i) Confirm the date/term the student began their degree program at MIT.
      • ii) Confirm the date/term the student is expected to complete their degree program at MIT.
      • iii) Confirm that the student is enrolled full-time in their degree program at MIT.
      • iv) Confirm that the student is in good academic standing.
    • B) Training/Experience Details:
      • i) Confirm that the training/experience is integrally related to the student’s major field of study.
      • ii) How the training/experience is integrally related to the student’s major field of study.
      • iii) Confirm if the student typically receives a Research or Teaching Assistantship during the planned training/experience term and whether they will continue to receive MIT funding for that term. NOTE: If the student’s MIT funding is paused during the training/experience, they must provide the ISO with new funding documentation for that term to ensure an updated immigration document can be issued.
    • C) Training/Experience Course Details:
      • i) Provide the course subject number and academic term in which the student will enroll for the training/experience.
        • *NOTE: Credits/units MUST be given under a specific course subject number within the student’s major field of study and in the same term as the training/experience.
        • Students may NOT enroll in an internship training/experience learning course in another degree program for CPT authorization.
      • ii) Confirm the minimum number of credits/units required for ALL students (both domestic and international) in the program to complete their degree requirements, excluding thesis/dissertation.
      • iii) Confirm the number of credits/units the student has completed toward fulfilling degree requirements before the training/experience.
      • iv) Confirm the number of credits/units the student must complete after the training/experience to fulfill degree requirements.
      • v) Indicate whether the training/experience is a mandatory degree requirement for all students (domestic and international) in the program.
      • vi) Confirm whether the training/experience counts as elective credits/units.
        • NOTE: If it is for an elective requirement, the letter must specify the number of credits/units and confirm that they will count toward the student’s minimum degree completion requirements.
      • vii) Confirm that ALL credits/units earned from the training/experience will count toward fulfilling the student’s minimum degree completion requirements.
    • D) Training/Experience Course Evaluation Details:
      • i) Provide the name(s) of the faculty member who will evaluate the work from the training/experience.
      • ii) Explain how the training/experience will be evaluated (e.g., deliverables such as a paper, report, presentation, etc.).
      • iii) For master’s/Ph.D. thesis/dissertation CPT eligibility, students must meet all the CPT requirements, and the CPT Authorization For Thesis/Dissertation requirements listed below.
    • E) Training/Experience Employer Details:
      • i) Confirm the specific start and end dates of the training/experience, as they will be the exact dates authorized for the CPT authorization. NOTE: The dates MUST be within the eligible dates (listed above).
      • ii) Confirm the company/organization name and worksite address (including ZIP code) where the training/experience will be performed. NOTE: Provide the employer’s main company address if it differs from the worksite address.
  3. Evidence of CPT eCourse Completion: Copy of the student’s CPT eCourse quiz results, showing a 90% or higher score.
  4. I-94 Record: Copy of the student’s most recently issued I-94 record, NOT the I-94 travel history.

ATTENTION: Federal regulations strictly govern CPT eligibility, and authorization CANNOT be granted unless the student, academic department, and CPT employer have provided all required information and documentation.

NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE REGARDING THESE REQUIREMENTS.

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SPECIAL CPT ELIGIBILITY SITUATIONS

CPT Authorization For Thesis/Dissertation

At MIT, master’s/Ph.D. students pursuing a thesis/dissertation as part of their degree requirements may need authorization for off-campus work/employment authorization to complete their thesis/dissertation. The ISO will consider CPT authorization under master’s/Ph.D. thesis/dissertation credit ONLY if all of the following four (4) conditions are met:

  1. Approved Thesis/Dissertation Proposal: The student has an approved master’s or Ph.D. thesis/dissertation proposal from their academic department, and the proposed experience is an integral component of that thesis/dissertation.
  2. Unique Location Requirement: The training/experience must occur at a specific company/organization that possesses a vital piece of equipment or has access to unique, secured data crucial for the student’s approved thesis/dissertation research.
  3. Employment Authorization Requirement: The company/organization requires the student to hold employee status (or another classification requiring employment authorization) and/or be present on-site to gain access to crucial equipment or secured data.
  4. Thesis/Dissertation Advisor Support Letter: The student’s thesis/dissertation advisor must provide a support letter explicitly stating the additional criteria for CPT authorization:
    • Why the off-campus training/experience requires the student to pursue the activity at this off-campus location for their thesis/dissertation.
    • That without this training/experience at the specified location, the student would be unable to complete their approved thesis/dissertation and, as such, their MIT degree program.
    • ATTENTION – Important Requirements:
      • CPT CANNOT be authorized merely for the benefit of adding an extra chapter to a thesis/dissertation.
      • CPT authorization can ONLY be granted if the support letter explicitly states “the training/experience is REQUIRED for the completion of the student’s thesis/dissertation and that, without pursuing this off-campus experience the student would be unable to complete their current thesis, would have to submit and have approved a new thesis topic proposal, and complete the new thesis to complete their MIT degree program”.
      • CPT authorization based on their thesis/dissertation is limited to NO MORE than two (2) academic terms and capped at 12 months per degree program. This includes part-time and full-time CPT authorizations toward this limit.
      • Ph.D. students approved for Non-Resident Status may also qualify for CPT authorization based on their thesis/dissertation.

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CPT Authorization For First-Year Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate international students are eligible for CPT authorization ONLY after completing their first academic year (fall and spring terms) and officially declaring a major. At MIT, first-year undergraduates declare their major at the end of their first academic year, with official confirmation at the start of the following summer term.

  • Before issuing CPT authorization, the ISO must verify the declared major in the Registrar’s system. To allow sufficient processing time, first-year undergraduate students can begin internships under CPT NO EARLIER than five (5) business days AFTER the MIT official calendar summer start date.
    • Example: For Summer 2025, the term begins on June 9, 2025, so the earliest possible CPT start date would be June 16, 2025.

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CPT Authorization For Students Changing MIT Degree Programs

Students who will transition to a new degree program at MIT (e.g., bachelor’s to master’s or master’s to PhD) and require CPT authorization for an off-campus work/employment authorization in the first academic term of their new degree program are eligible for CPT authorization ONLY:

  • After waiting at least five (5) business days from the start date listed on their new degree program Form I-20 BEFORE the CPT authorization can be issued and can begin.
    • Example: A student completing their bachelor’s degree in May 2025 and starting a master’s program in Summer 2025 (beginning June 9, 2025) can start their internship no earlier than June 16, 2025.

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ADDITIONAL REMINDERS & CONSIDERATIONS

Helpful CPT Authorization Reminders

As an important reminder, international students at MIT are responsible for maintaining their U.S. immigration status.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Students authorized for 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) will become INELIGIBLE for Optional Practical Training (OPT) at the same degree level. This rule applies even if they pursue multiple degrees at the same degree level at different institutions/schools.

  • This includes, but is not limited to, maintaining full-time enrollment each academic term, ensuring immigration documents remain valid and do not expire, and reporting any changes to iMIT and/or WebSIS within 10 calendar days of the change occurring. Changes include a student’s academic program, degree level, funding, degree completion dates, U.S. residential address, U.S. contact information, and/or changes to authorized work/employment authorization(s).
    • Students who fail to report changes to the ISO may lose their legal  U.S. immigration status and related benefits.
  • Students must have completed at least one (1) full academic year (consecutively fall & spring terms) in F-1 status before they become eligible for off-campus work/employment authorization (CPT & OPT).
  • CPT authorization requests are issued for specific academic terms. Each academic department may have its own additional conditions for approval of off-campus work/employment.
  • Students needing CPT authorization based on their thesis/dissertation must meet all the CPT eligibility requirements, including those listed in the abovementioned CPT Authorization For Thesis/Dissertation section.
  • Remember to save ALL immigration documents/records, including records of all on- and off-campus work/employment, as it will be helpful for future inquiries from DHS, especially regarding work/employment in the U.S.

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CPT-Related Courses/Electives Tuition Considerations

The Registrar’s Office maintains separate web pages for tuition guidance for undergraduate and graduate students. Students should always refer to the Registrar’s Office website for the most up-to-date tuition/fee information.

  • Fall or Spring Term Enrollment: Per MIT policy, students enrolled in a training/experience course during the fall and/or spring terms will have tuition costs covered under standard tuition charges.
  • Summer Term Enrollment: Students enrolling in a training/experience course during the summer term are subject to tuition fees per MIT policy.
    • If a student only enrolls in a training/experience course, tuition is charged per credit/unit based on the number of credits/units earned.
    • NOTE: Refer to the Registrar’s Office webpage on summer tuition for current per credit/unit tuition rates.
  • Unpaid Internships/Experiences: Students pursuing unpaid internships may request a waiver of the summer training/experience course tuition charge. To qualify, students must provide an official offer letter from an employer confirming that no compensation or benefits will be received.

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Direct Relationship to Student’s Major Field of Study

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) closely scrutinizes work/employment authorization for international students. DHS issued Policy Guidance affirming that ALL off-campus work/employment activities (CPT/OPT) MUST meet all eligibility criteria, including being “directly related to the student’s major area of study” [8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)].

NOTE: This CANNOT be just general concepts of the degree program or a single course from their program. Therefore, to avoid any impacts on current or future U.S. immigration status and benefits, students must ensure that their CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT Extension work/employment authorization meets all the eligibility criteria outlined throughout the ISO website, the ISO Knowledge Base webpage here, on the U.S. government web pages.

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F-1 CPT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Helpful CPT FAQs

Students will find most answers to their questions on this webpage or the CPT eCourse. However, below are answers to common CPT questions.

  • Question: Can I simultaneously have on-campus work/employment (e.g., Teaching/Research Assistantship) and off-campus work/employment (e.g., CPT)?
    • Answer: During a required academic term (e.g., fall and spring term), students holding on-campus work/employment must obtain approval from their academic department before pursuing off-campus work/employment (CPT/OPT).
      • At MIT, combining on-campus work/employment with off-campus work/employment is generally not permitted due to concerns about time management and its potential impact on a student’s academic progress. Review the current MIT policy on the OGE website here.
      • However, if a student’s academic department determines that the off-campus work/employment is academically beneficial and supports the request, and the student meets all other off-campus work/employment eligibility requirements, authorization may be possible under immigration regulations.
  • Question: Do I need CPT authorization if my internship is outside the U.S.?
    • Answer: Please review the ISO Employment webpage here. If the answer to any one of those questions is “United States (U.S.),” prior off-campus work authorization (CPT/OPT) is required. Examples:
      • a) If a student is working for CompanyABC in London, they will be physically located in London, working for the CompanyABC London branch, and paid in British Pounds; then prior off-campus work authorization is NOT required.
      • b) If a student works for CompanyABC in London, they will be physically located in London, but they will be working for a U.S. branch of CompanyABC and are paid in U.S. dollars; then prior off-campus work authorization is REQUIRED.
  • Question: If I travel after my CPT authorization period (listed on page 2 of my CPT Form I-20), Do I need to request a new Form I-20 for an updated travel signature?
    • Answer: NO. The travel signature on a student’s CPT-approved Form I-20 is valid for 12 months or until the end date listed on the Form I-20, whichever date comes first.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

  • The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Working in the United States webpage.
  • The Official MIT Academic Calendar webpage.
  • The ISO main Employment webpage.

Disclaimer: The information on this webpage is for MIT students only. For additional questions, students should email their ISO Advisor directly.

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