Understanding U.S. Work Authorization: CPT & OPT

Before doing any off‑campus work, paid or unpaid, visa‑holding students must first secure the proper work authorization. This page provides a brief overview of CPT and OPT for F‑1 students.

Most international students at Duke hold F‑1 visas. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) are forms of work‑authorization available only to F‑1 students. Students on other visa types, such as J‑1, should refer to their programs for guidance, as requirements and options differ.

The Career Center can help you explore opportunities and prepare for your internship or job search. All questions about F‑1 work authorization, including eligibility, paperwork, and timelines, must be directed to Duke Visa Services.

Duke Visa Services advisors are the only university officials authorized to guide you through the CPT and OPT process.

Duke Visa Services: CPT Information

Duke Visa Services: OPT Information

CPT vs OPT Comparison

CPT is a type of work authorization that allows F‑1 students to participate in off‑campus internships or practical learning experiences that are directly related to their academic major or program. CPT is designed to connect academic learning with real‑world practice.

CPT Requirements

  • F-1 visa holders must have been enrolled full‑time for at least one academic year to qualify, unless their academic program requires immediate participation.
  • Undergraduate students must declare a major before applying. First-year international students can do so in the spring of their first year once midterm grades are posted.
  • The practical training must be tied to the student’s academic program. This usually means the experience is required for their major or they are enrolled in an internship course for credit.
  • Applicants must receive CPT authorization on a new I-20 from Duke Visa Services before beginning any work, paid or unpaid.
  • Most undergraduates are eligible for CPT only during the summer term.

How Undergraduate Students Typically Use CPT

Most Duke undergraduates use CPT for summer internships that are directly related to their declared major. Before applying, students should:

  1. Secure an internship offer that lists job duties, dates, hours per week, and the physical work location
  2. Enroll in an appropriate internship course (if needed)
  3. Complete the online CPT application on Duke Visa Services’ website

To use CPT, the internship or practical experience must be part of the student’s academic program or major. This means the program must either require an internship for all students or allow enrollment in a related internship course for academic credit.

Graduate students often meet this requirement through internship, practicum, project‑based courses, or co-ops built into their programs. Because options vary, graduate students should consult their Director of Graduate Studies (DGS).

Most undergraduate students will need to enroll in a CPT‑eligible course in order to use CPT. Public Policy majors completing their required internship are exempt from this requirement. For nearly all other majors, CPT requires enrollment in an approved course:

• Arts & Sciences 199: Career Development and the Internship Experience (.5 Credit)
• Writing 270: Composing the Internship Experience: Topics in Digital Rhetoric and Social Media Discourse (1 Credit)
• Writing 271: Reflective Writing and the Internship/Work Experience (.5 Credit)

All three approved courses are offered during Summer Session, and tuition is required to enroll. Learn more about Summer Session tuition & fees.

OPT is a separate work authorization that allows F‑1 students to do work in the United States related to their field of study after completing their degree (post‑completion OPT) or, less commonly, while still enrolled (pre‑completion OPT).

OPT basics:

  • Eligible for up to 12 months of work authorization in the student’s field of study.

  • A job offer is not required to apply.

  • An application must be submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) after the student receives an OPT I‑20 from Duke Visa Services.

  • The applicant must be in the U.S. when applying.

  • Employment may begin only after the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) has been issued and the OPT start date has been reached.

  • Students in STEM fields may be eligible for an additional 24‑month extension.

  • Students on post-completion OPT may have no more than a total of 90 days of unemployment during their approved OPT period. Students who receive a 24-month STEM OPT extension are allowed an additional 60 days of unemployment, for a maximum of 150 days total over all OPT periods.

  • All OPT employment must be reported through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Portal. Failure to report employment can result in serious consequences, including loss of visa status.

Most F-1 students use post‑completion OPT to gain experience after graduation. Students interested in long-term work in the U.S. should speak with an Academic Advisor or Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) to determine whether a STEM‑eligible major aligns with their goals.

Post-Completion OPT Timeline