Skip Navigation

Off-Campus Employment for International Students: CPT/OPT

At Indiana Tech, international students can gain real-world experience through off-campus employment options like Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT)—both help you apply your academic knowledge in professional settings.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows you to work in internships or cooperative education positions while still enrolled in your program, as long as the work is directly related to your major and approved as part of your curriculum.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) gives you the chance to work in the U.S. for up to 12 months after graduation (or up to 36 months for STEM majors), helping you launch your career and gain valuable experience in your field.

Tech’s Career Center team is available to guide you through every step – from eligibility and paperwork to reporting and success.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows eligible F-1 international students to participate in off-campus employment that is directly related to their major and an integral part of their academic program.

To qualify for CPT, you must:

  • Be in valid F-1 status for at least one full academic year (not including summer) 
  • Have a job or internship offer directly related to your field of study  
  • Be enrolled in a course that requires or supports the employment  
  • Receive CPT authorization on your I-20 before you begin working  

CPT Process:

  1. Secure a job or internship offer related to your major  
  2. Enroll in the appropriate internship, cooperative, or practicum course  
  3. Contact the career center to receive your CPT application
  4. Submit a completed CPT application, including your job offer letter and course enrollment details  
  5. Receive an updated I-20 with CPT authorization from your DSO  
  6. Begin working only after the CPT start date stated on your I-20  

Note: CPT is employer-specific, meaning a new CPT authorization is needed for each employer. Changing employers on CPT requires applying for a new CPT authorization before starting work with the new employer. Students can work for multiple employers simultaneously on CPT, but each job must be approved by their DSO and be integral to their degree program.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) – Initial Application Process

Initial OPT can be applied for up to 90 days before the date of your last class meeting or within 60 days after. This gives you a total of 150 days to submit your completed OPT application to USCIS for review.

The Initial OPT process allows eligible students to apply for up to 12 months of work authorization in the U.S. after completing their academic program.

What You Need to Know:

  • Eligibility: Must be in valid F-1 status, meet all graduation requirements, and have a confirmed last date of class. 
  • When to Apply: Up to 90 days before and no later than 60 days after your program end date. 
  • How to Apply: schedule an appointment on Handshake with your Designated School Official (DSO) for an OPT I-20, then file Form I-765 with USCIS. 
  • Processing Time: USCIS processing can take 2 to 3 months. We strongly recommend applying early to allow sufficient time for processing and to respond to any additional document requests.   

Major considerations:

  • You must meet with a DSO (Designated School Official), in person or virtually, to obtain your recommended I-20. 
  • You should not apply for OPT without an OPT recommended I-20. 
  • You have 30 days to apply after receiving your OPT recommended I-20. If you are unable to apply within that timeframe, you must notify the DSO and have the I-20 cancelled before the 30-day deadline. You may then schedule a new appointment to repeat the recommendation process and receive a new I-20, which is valid for another 30 days provided you are still within the overall application period. 

Note: You can change employers and also work for multiple employers simultaneously, as long as all employment is directly related to your field of study. All employers must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you need to update your SEVP student portal and report any changes to your DSO within 10 days.

Connect with Tech’s Career Center for step-by-step guidance (link), required documents (Link), and timelines to ensure a smooth application process. 

OPT STEM Extension – Continue Your Career Journey in the U.S.

If you’re an F-1 student currently on post-completion OPT and hold a degree in a DHS-approved STEM field (link), you may be eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT Extension. This extension allows you to continue gaining valuable work experience related to your major.

What You Need to Know:

  • Eligibility: Must have a qualifying STEM degree (link) and be employed by an E-Verify registered employer. 
  • When to Apply: Up to 90 days before your current OPT expires. USCIS must receive your application before your OPT end date. 
  • How to Apply: Work with your DSO to request a STEM OPT I-20, then file Form I-765 with USCIS.  
  • Form I983: To receive a DSO recommendation for the extension, you must complete pages 1 through 4 of Form I-983 (link), including all required signatures, and submit it via email to our office. Page 5 of the I-983 should be left blank (link).
  • Employer Requirements: Must provide formal training and evaluation using Form I-983. When you reach the 12- and 24-month STEM OPT employment period, your employer must approve your completed self-evaluation on page 5 of Form I983 (link). The completed and signed evaluation should be submitted to the DSO via email, to validate your STEM extension participation (link).  

Please remember that this is a separate application, and the extension is not guaranteed (link). Do not submit Form I-765 until you have received your updated I-20.

Note: STEM OPT students can change employers and work for multiple employers simultaneously if certain conditions are met. Each employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and the employment must be directly related to the student’s qualifying degree. Additionally, students must submit a new Form I-983 (Training Plan for STEM OPT Students) for each new employer and maintain a minimum of 20 hours of work per week with each employer.

The STEM OPT extension gives you more time to build your skills, contribute to your field, and prepare for long-term career opportunities in the U.S.

Connect with Tech’s Career Center for personalized guidance (link), document checklists (link), and application timelines.

)