Jobs on CPT
While there are several available student visas that enable international students to study in the United States, these visas don’t allow them to start earning part-time or full-time while acquiring their education. This is where the CPT visa or the Curricular Practical Training visa comes into play
What is CPT Visa?
Using the CPT visa, the international students have the free will to gain employment training, both full-time and part-time. Under full-time employment, the student has to work for more than 20 hours per week, while under a part-time job, the student can work less than 20 hours per week to earn in U.S dollars
There are several colleges and universities in the U.S that offer work-study programs to domestic students as a part of federal funding. However, the same isn’t the case with international students, especially because it requires the schools to pay out of their budget on the campus or have to be made via a private organization. Qualifying for the CPT visa enables international students to apply for jobs and start with a steady income while studying in the United States.
Types of Employment under CPT Visa
Under the CPT visa, the students are either eligible for On-campus employment or Off-campus employment, depending on their preferences and the niche they want to gather hands-on experience in.
On-campus employment
The international students are eligible for applying to the on-campus jobs under the part-time program, wherein they can work for less than 20 hours a week and earn for the hours they put in. This kind of employment is popular among the international students enrolled in their first semester.
Off-campus employment
Under the Work-Study CPT programs, the international students can seek off-campus jobs or paid internships that enable them to work for over 20 hours per week, some even offering 40 hours of work in a week.
A student must understand that his/her work under the CPT visa should be related to the degree they are studying for. The students generally need to wait for their first year in their college to apply for the visa. CPT visas are extremely popular among students acquiring professional degrees in business and IT solutions, which require more hands-on and practical learning.
Who is Eligible for CPT Visa?
The F-1 visa students that are studying in the United States are eligible for a CPT visa only if:
- They have lawfully enrolled in a full-time course that spans across at least one academic year
- They have the lawful F-1 visa status
- • They have health insurance
Another important factor to keep in mind before applying for a CPT visa is that if you work full-time using this visa for 12 months, the candidate loses their eligibility to apply for Optional Practical Training or the OPT visa.