OPT and CPT in 2025: Key rules, STEM extensions, and tips

(UNITED STATES) With hiring plans shifting and processing backlogs still a concern, 2025 is shaping up to be a make‑or‑break year for many international students weighing when—and how—to use CPT and OPT. These two pillars of F‑1 work authorization sit at the center of the academic‑to‑career path in the United States, offering structured ways to gain real‑world experience tied to a student’s field of study.

The stakes are clear: choices made during school can affect job options after graduation and future immigration steps like H‑1B sponsorship or permanent residence. For students, schools, and employers, the rules are steady, but the environment is moving fast—especially around STEM degrees and remote work arrangements.

How CPT works: curriculum‑linked practical training

At its core, Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows an F‑1 student to take a job off campus when the work is an integral part of the curriculum—for example, for‑credit internships, cooperative education programs, or practicum terms tied directly to the major.

• The school’s Designated School Official (DSO) determines whether the role fits the curriculum and updates the student record before work begins.
• Authorization appears on the student’s Form I-20 and lists employer, dates, and whether the work is part‑time or full‑time.
• Generally, students must complete one full academic year before starting CPT, unless the program requires immediate practical training.

CPT hours and the critical 12‑month rule

• Part‑time CPT: 20 hours per week or fewer during the academic term.
• Full‑time CPT: more than 20 hours per week, usually during summer or formal co‑op blocks.

Important: Using 12 months or more of full‑time CPT eliminates eligibility for OPT entirely. This applies even if the CPT occurred across multiple employers or terms.

Students should keep careful records and confirm totals with the DSO before accepting long co‑op cycles.

How OPT works: the federal authorization path

Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows up to 12 months of work in a job tied to the student’s field. OPT can be:

• Pre‑completion OPT: part‑time during the academic year or full‑time during breaks.
• Post‑completion OPT: generally full‑time and is the primary bridge to a first professional role after graduation.

Key differences from CPT:

• OPT requires a formal application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Students file Form I-765 to request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
• Work can start only after the physical EAD arrives and the start date on the card takes effect.

Timing & filing for post‑completion OPT (2025 considerations)

• Filing window: up to 90 days before program end and no later than 60 days after program completion.
• Because EAD processing can take several months, early filing is strongly advised in 2025.
• Many students are filing earlier to protect against pay gaps or start‑date changes; campus advisors are urging seniors to set filing reminders.

Practical filing tips:

1. Get the DSO OPT recommendation entered in SEVIS and printed on a new Form I‑20.
2. File Form I-765 online or by mail (instructions at the USCIS site: Form I-765).
3. Double‑check program dates, name spelling, and addresses before submission.
4. Track card delivery—EADs are physical and cannot be emailed or faxed.

If filed late or with mismatched dates, USCIS may request more evidence, delaying approval.

The STEM OPT extension: up to 24 extra months

• Eligible STEM students may apply for a 24‑month extension, bringing total OPT to up to 36 months.
• DHS has broadened eligible program areas; data science, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence are among fields that often qualify.
• Requirements include:
  • Confirming the degree’s CIP code appears on the DHS STEM list: DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List
  • Having a required training plan (Form I‑983 or equivalent) with the employer.
  • Ongoing reporting obligations and supervision.

Remote and hybrid roles: documentation & supervision matters

The growth of remote/hybrid jobs raises practical questions.

• Even remote OPT work must reflect a real, verifiable employer‑employee relationship.
• For STEM OPT, a proper training plan and ongoing reporting are essential.
• Schools advise students to keep:
  • Offer letters
  • Job descriptions
  • Supervisor names and contact details
  • Records of supervision and performance feedback

For CPT, remote roles can fit if the program and course design support them and the DSO can document how the work fulfills curricular requirements.

Decision‑making: CPT vs. OPT

Key distinctions:

• CPT decisions are made by the school (DSO) and are documented on the Form I‑20.
• OPT decisions are made by USCIS through approval of the Form I-765 and issuance of an EAD.

Practical consequences:

• CPT approvals can often be issued faster; OPT depends on federal processing and card production.
• Many students prefer CPT during school terms for speed, preserving OPT for after graduation when broader employer options are needed.

Eligibility reminders and practical steps

CPT eligibility:

• Typically requires completion of one academic year (usually two semesters or three quarters).
• Exception: graduate programs that require immediate practical training—schools interpret this strictly and usually expect documented curriculum proof.
• Maintain F‑1 status (full‑time enrollment) during the term when CPT is authorized, with limited exceptions for final terms.

OPT steps before filing:

1. Obtain the DSO recommendation in SEVIS and print the updated Form I‑20.
2. Review and confirm all personal and program details.
3. Submit Form I-765 with consistent information (passport, I‑20, school records).
4. Ensure reliable mailing addresses for EAD delivery.

Reference on Form I‑20: Form I-20.

Advising best practices and timelines (campus perspective)

Universities recommend mapping degree timelines, internship targets, and post‑graduation goals together with CPT/OPT checkpoints:

• CPT availability (after one academic year unless required earlier)
• OPT filing window (up to 90 days before program end; no later than 60 days after)
• STEM extension planning (additional 24 months where eligible)

Practical paperwork checklist:

• For CPT:
  • Secure a detailed offer letter stating duties and dates
  • Confirm DSO approval and the CPT authorization printed on the Form I‑20 before beginning work
• For OPT:
  • Ensure the DSO recommendation is in SEVIS and printed on the Form I‑20
  • Submit Form I‑765 with accurate information and reliable mailing arrangements

Employer considerations and onboarding flexibility

Employers relying on new graduates should:

• Expect possible OPT start‑date slips if EADs are delayed.
• Build flexibility into offers and onboarding (e.g., project prep that doesn’t count as work until the EAD start date).
• For CPT hires during academic terms, plan part‑time schedules and switch to full‑time in summer or formal co‑op terms.

Students can reduce employer friction by communicating timelines and confirming filings promptly.

Common adviser guidance (four themes)

• Plan early with your DSO to integrate CPT into your degree and keep full‑time CPT under 12 months.
• Track OPT dates carefully: file up to 90 days before program end and no later than 60 days after.
• If in a STEM field, check the 24‑month extension eligibility and verify your degree on DHS’s STEM list before choosing OPT dates.
• Keep records of job duties, supervision, and training—especially for remote or hybrid roles.

Final takeaways

CPT and OPT provide practical tools for international students to gain U.S. work experience and build career paths. The rules are consistent, even as the job market and remote work norms evolve.

• Always start CPT only after DSO approval appears on the Form I‑20.
• Keep full‑time CPT under the 12‑month limit to preserve OPT eligibility.
• Apply early for OPT within the 90‑day / 60‑day windows to reduce downtime.
• Consider the 24‑month STEM extension if your field qualifies and plan accordingly.
• Use school resources, coordinate early with employers, and keep tidy documentation.

When students follow these guardrails—monitoring dates, maintaining records, and coordinating with DSOs and employers—they are better placed to move from the classroom into roles that match their degrees, even amid changing processing times and workplace models.