For F1 visa students, Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a crucial career step, providing invaluable practical experience in their field of study. Understanding the application process and, most importantly, adhering to deadlines is paramount for a smooth and successful CPT experience. This guide provides essential dates and answers common questions regarding CPT reporting and application timelines to ensure you remain compliant and authorized to work.
Submitting your CPT application through ORION requires careful attention to detail and timely document uploads. Specifically, you will need to upload two key documents: a signed offer letter and a detailed job description. The offer letter must be on company letterhead and include critical information such as the organization’s name, your internship position title, the precise start and end dates, the number of work hours per week, your wages or hourly rate in dollars, the physical work location address, and comprehensive manager/supervisor details (including name, title, phone number, and email address). It is essential to note that a detailed job description is not just recommended but a mandatory document for your application.
Should any required information be absent from your formal offer letter, supplementary documentation from your employer, such as an email containing the missing details, must be provided. In such cases, a screenshot of this supplementary email should be combined with your offer letter into a single PDF document for upload.
Key CPT Reporting and Application Deadlines:
To help you plan your career step effectively, here are the crucial dates for reporting internships/experiences in ORION and CPT employment start and end dates for upcoming semesters:
Fall 2023 & Winter Break 2023-2024
- Earliest date to report an internship/experience in ORION: October 2, 2023
- Last day to report an internship/experience in ORION: Monday, March 18, 2024
- CPT requests submitted to ISSO by December 13, 2023 before Winter Break closure (Dec. 23 – Jan. 2).
- Earliest CPT employment start date: December 16, 2023
- Latest CPT employment end date:
- Continuing students: May 27, 2024
- Students graduating in Spring 2024: May 10, 2024
Spring 2024 & Summer 2024
- Earliest date to report an internship/experience in ORION: February 5, 2024
- Last day to report an internship/experience in ORION: July 1, 2024
- Earliest CPT employment start date: May 11, 2024
- Latest CPT employment end date:
- Continuing students: August 18, 2024
- Students graduating in Summer 2024: August 9, 2024
Summer 2024 & Fall 2024
- Earliest date to report an internship/experience in ORION: May 11, 2024
- Last day to report an internship/experience in ORION: October 14, 2024
- Earliest CPT employment start date: August 10, 2024
- Latest CPT employment end date:
- Continuing students: January 20, 2025
- Students graduating in Fall 2024: December 21, 2024 (Degree conferral date)
Fall 2024 & Winter Break 2024-2025
- Earliest date to report an internship/experience in ORION: October 7, 2024
- Last day to report an internship/experience in ORION: Monday, March 24, 2025
- Check with ISSO for last date for CPT requests before Winter Break closure (Dec. 23 – Jan. 1).
- Earliest CPT employment start date: December 22, 2024
- Latest CPT employment end date:
- Continuing students: June 1, 2025
- Students graduating in Spring 2025: May 24, 2025 (Degree conferral date)
Spring 2025 & Summer 2025
- Earliest date to report an internship/experience in ORION: February 3, 2025
- Last day to report an internship/experience in ORION: Monday, July 3, 2025
- Earliest CPT employment start date: May 25, 2025
- Latest CPT employment end date:
- Continuing students: August 24, 2025
- Students graduating in Summer 2025: August 23, 2025 (Degree conferral date)
Summer 2025 & Fall 2025
- Earliest date to report an internship/experience in ORION: May 5, 2025
- Last day to report an internship/experience in ORION: October 22, 2025
- Earliest CPT employment start date: August 25, 2024
- Latest CPT employment end date:
- Continuing students: TBC (1 day before Spring 2026 semester starts)
- Students graduating in Fall 2025: December 12, 2025 (Degree conferral date)
Important Reminders for CPT Applications:
- Processing Time: Allow 7-10 business days for CPT approval processing after submitting all required documents. Remember that university offices are closed on weekends and holidays, which may affect processing times.
- Start Date Lead Time: F1 students must request a CPT start date at least 7 days in the future to allow for processing. Ensure your I-20 is issued with a future start date.
- Patience is Key: The CPT application process involves several steps and approvals. Be patient and monitor your email regularly for updates at each stage. If additional information is needed, promptly follow the instructions and upload the requested documents to your existing request in ORION.
- ORION Request Status: Track your application status in ORION under the “Internship Request Status” tab. You can check the “Internship Approval Process” section to see which step is currently pending (e.g., Career Center, Program Director, or ISSO). Allow 2 business days for each departmental approval step and 3-5 business days for ISSO processing after course registration confirmation.
- CPT Course Enrollment: CPT approval is contingent on enrollment in the corresponding internship course. The ISSO will review and approve your CPT request after your enrollment is confirmed.
- Work Authorization is Mandatory: Crucially, F1 students must not commence any CPT employment before receiving a valid I-20 with CPT authorization from ISSO. Starting work without authorization is a violation of your visa status.
By understanding these deadlines and procedures, you can confidently navigate this essential career step and ensure a successful CPT experience as part of your academic journey.
