Introduction
International students usually struggle with finding an off-college job after getting admitted into the U.S. college or university.
It takes an academic year to become eligible for a worthwhile job. Day 1 CPT, in contrast to this, bridges the gap between international students and a good job. International students get an opportunity to land a job in their field of study.
Hence, Day 1 CPT is very beneficial for those who are career-oriented as they will start an off-college job almost immediately after the first academic year begins.
In this article, you will get a comprehensive guide as to how you can study and work simultaneously in the United States using Day 1 CPT. Make sure to read till the end of this article to know more!
What Is Day 1 CPT?
Curricular Practical Training or CPT is a program that allows international students on an F-1 visa to work off-campus in their study field. This program helps students gain hands-on experience in the real-world job market before their graduation.
Day 1 CPT (Curricular Practical Training) is an off-college employment program that allows international students on an F-1 visa to work from the first day of starting their college. Students can land an internship or an employment opportunity with the help of Day 1 CPT.
The students also get an option to decide whether they want to work a full-time job or a part-time.
Day 1 CPT program differs from the traditional CPT program, as the latter requires students to have completed at least one academic year in the United States to become eligible for off-college employment.
Why to Choose Day 1 CPT?
Some of the benefits of Day 1 CPT are:
- Early Career Advantage
The students are able to learn in real-world scenarios instead of limiting their learning within classrooms. This gives them an early career advantage and provides them with an overall competitive edge in the long run.
- Earn Income and Reduce Education Expenses
If you choose Day 1 CPT, you will be able to earn from the very first day of your academic year. This will help reduce academic expenses from day 1.
- Validate Your Academic Interests in a Real-World Setting
Since you will be working in the field of your study with the help of Day 1 CPT, you will be able to validate your academic interests in a real-world setting.
- Enhance Your Resume
Recruiters and hiring manager always pay attention to the hands-on experience in the resume. Day 1 CPT will allow you to have a competitive advantage when entering the job market after graduation.
Image: Why to Choose Day 1 CPT?
Eligibility Criteria for Day 1 CPT
The following factors make you eligible for Day 1 CPT:
- Students are required to have a valid F-1 visa.
- Students must be enrolled in the full-time course of study.
- Day 1 CPT job/ internship description should be close to the academic field of your Day 1 CPT university.
- Students can only start working once they receive the CPT I-20 after the approval of the DSO.
- Students need to present a job offer to be eligible to request authorization on CPT.
- The student’s GPA must be at least 3.0 throughout an employment period.
- CPT authorization requires renewal as per the rules of your Day 1 CPT university.
Who Should Consider Day 1 CPT？
The following may consider Day-1 CPT instead of the traditional CPT program:
- Prospective Students
The students who have not yet joined university but are looking to get admitted soon should consider Day 1 CPT. They get the time to look for a job or an internship before the semester begins.
- OPT Expiry
International students are finding it harder to secure a H-1B visa before their OPT expires. In this case, they can enroll in a master’s level program while also working with the help of Day 1 CPT. This will help them get a higher degree while also strengthening their work experience.
- F-1 Emergency Transfer
After getting transferred on F-1 emergency, students can remain compliant under immigration even when they immediately start off-college employment.
- Laid-off H-1B visa workers
Laid-off H-1B visa employees can choose to study again if they can’t find a job or are interested in a career change. Using Day 1 CPT, they can work and study so they don't risk having gap in their career record.
- Dependents
Dependents with an F-1 visa holder partner can use Day 1 CPT to explore career paths, build connections for a better career, and gain real-world experiences.
- Change of Status (COS) Candidates
COS candidates can get employment in their field of study even while changing the status of their visa with the help of Day 1 CPT.
Application Process for Day 1 CPT Work Authorization
The following are the steps to the Day 1 CPT work authorization process:
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Get a Job Offer - Secure a job offer that aligns with the requirements of CPT while also being close to your field of study.
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**Register in a CPT Course -**Enroll in a CPT course in your college that requires an internship or practical work. This course should be related directly to your field of study.
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Get CPT I-20 - Try to obtain a new Form I-20 with the help of your DSO. Your DSO will go through your job offer to see whether it matches the CPT eligibility criteria or not.
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Renew your CPT - With updated documentation complying with the requirements of the immigration regulations and your academic program, your DSO can help you in renewing your CPT if you decide to continue working beyond the set timeframe
How to Choose Day 1 CPT Universities?
It becomes essential for students to be careful and think thoroughly before choosing a university for a Day 1 CPT. The following are the five factors to consider before choosing a Day 1 CPT university:
Accreditation
You need to confirm whether a Day 1 CPT college holds legitimacy and accreditation or not. A lot can be learned from a university’s credentials and commitment to academics.
Some common accreditation agencies are the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), and The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Tuition
While international students need to choose a budget-friendly university, an exceptionally cheap college or university can be questionable.
Some reliable and affordable Day 1 CPT colleges in the U.S. include New England College, Saint Peter's University, and Monroe College.
School ' s History
Checking when school was established can help you make the right decision. The longer the existential proof of a Day 1 CPT college, the better the chance of it being trustworthy.
Relevant Program
The relevance of an academic program depends on its relation to your future career path and a logical progression with your current academic degree.
Campus Location
The location matters. Since you have an opportunity to work while you're studying you should consider the location where the job market is stable and companies offer legitimate employment. Start from checking what are the top cities in the U.S. to find tech jobs.
Conclusion
Day 1 CPT is great for the career growth of international students but there are risks associated with this option too. Thus, it is necessary to consult your situation and see if it will be the right fit.
International students in the U.S. can consider Algorizin. We help students land high-paying jobs by providing mentorship, immigration consulting, and end-to-end career advancement.
FAQs
Yes, you can work full-time with Day 1 CPT if your job is related to your field of study.
Your current F-1 status, as well as your future visa applications, will be negatively impacted if you start working without CPT approval.
The answer is yes. If Day 1 CPT is a necessity for your academic program and meets CPT eligibility after getting checked by your DSO.
Regular CPT allows students to work only after 1 full academic year, while Day 1 CPT allows them to work in off-college jobs from day 1 at the university.
If you lose your job on Day 1 CPT, you will have to inform your university immediately and find another job if you want to maintain this work permission.
The students must consider meeting a minimum of 3 GPA requirement, avoiding class absenteeism, and timely completion of assignments to avoid the cons of Day 1 CPT.
Choosing non-accredited Day 1 CPT schools may negatively affect a student’s current legal status and any future plans they may have in the U.S.
Yes, you can travel while on Day 1 CPT by:
- ensuring that your passport and F-1 visa are valid
- having a recent original Form I-20 with a valid signature for re-entry
- holding a letter signed by employer, recent bank statements, and evidence that you will return from your trip
Only full-time students qualify for a Day 1 CPT.
Day 1 CPT might increase the risk of receiving a Request for Evidence (RFE) for an H-1B visa application because immigration law in the U.S. does not quite validate the program due to concerns about employee safety.
Not following proper guidelines can lead to problems when applying for H-1B visa. Some of them are as follows:
- Challenges in showing a genuine academic intent
- Difficulty in complying with the immigration laws
- Building a negative perception in the minds of immigration authorities
- Challenges in adhering to the visa requirements
You can opt for Curricular Practical Training for students to avoid Day 1 CPT risks.