Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

The F‑1 visa/status requires students to study full‑time, and off‑campus work is only allowed when you receive official authorization from a Designated School Official (International Advisor) or from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

*** Please be advised that F-1 students working off-campus without authorization is illegal. ***

CPT Update for F‑1 Students

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) recently released new guidance about Curricular Practical Training (CPT). These updates may affect internship planning for F‑1 students. Please review the two attached SEVP Broadcast messages in the Resources section below for reference.

International Education (IE), in coordination with College Leadership and the Assistant Attorney General (AAG), is continuing to seek clarification on how this guidance should be applied.

Effective Fall 2026, CPT processing is paused until further notice for any academic program in which the Internship course is listed as an Elective rather than a required Core course.

CPT Processing During the Pause:

  1. Required internships or practicums:
    CPT may be approved only for programs where an internship or practicum is required for all students to graduate. All standard CPT eligibility requirements continue to apply.
  2. Capstone or Internship pathways:
    For programs offering a choice between a Capstone and an Internship, F‑1 students must complete the Capstone option during this pause. CPT cannot be approved for the optional internship.
  3. Submitted Pending and New Requests:
    CPT requests for internships or practicums that are not required for all students will remain on hold until further clarification is received.

These measures are intended to protect students’ F‑1 status, safeguard their future immigration benefits, and maintain the college’s ability to support international students effectively.

CPT Eligibility

Students must meet all of the following requirements in order to be eligible to apply for Curricular Practical Training:

  1. Students in the Intensive English Language Program are not eligible for practical training.
  2. You have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis in the college-level program for at least one full academic year (i.e. three consecutive quarters).  
  3. An internship or practicum course is an integral part of your program’s graduation requirements and is directly related to your major area of study. 
    • Note: Associate in Arts and Sciences Transfer Degree and Certificates may not be eligible for CPT.  
  4. You have or will be enrolled in the internship or practicum course to earn credits.  
  5. You will or have received a detailed internship offer letter from your employer on a company’s letterhead that clearly states the internship is for practical training purposes.
    • The letter needs to include the date, the employer’s physical U.S. address, your name, your position, start and end date, part or full-time and the hiring official’s name and signature.  

How to Apply for Curricular Practical Training

If you meet all the above criteria, then you may begin searching for your internship site. If you have any questions about eligibility, make an appointment with your International Advisor.  

Once you have received an internship offer, contact your International Advisor for a Curricular Practical Training Request form and begin the process outlined on the form:  

  1. Complete the Student Section and attach a copy of your internship offer letter.  
  2. Meet with the Advisor of your program to confirm the internship relates directly to your major area of studies. If not, you may be ineligible.  
  3. Meet with an Experiential Learning Coordinator in the Center for Career Connections to confirm the Exprl class enrollment process and timing. 
  4. Submit your completed Internship Request Form to your International Advisor at least two weeks before your internship’s starting date.   
  5. Pick up your new I-20 from International Education and review page two to confirm your internship details.  

Important Information about CPT:

  • Your internship offer letter must clearly state that it is a temporary internship and must provide starting and ending dates that correspond to the quarter in which you are registered for the internship/practicum course.
    • CPT is authorized for a specific employer and is granted for quarter-by-quarter
    • You cannot work beyond your CPT approval dates. If your program requires more than one internship/practicum course for graduation, you must apply for another CPT.  
  • You must register for your program’s internship/practicum course or an EXPRL to earn credits towards your graduation requirements.  
  • If you are approved for part-time CPT, you must keep your weekly hours under 20 throughout the approved CPT period.   
  • CPT can be paid or unpaid. 
    • A paid internship will require you to apply for a social security number.
  • If you use 12 months or more of full‑time CPT, you will lose eligibility for OPT in the future
  • You must not start your internship/CPT (paid or unpaid) until your International Advisor properly approves your CPT request.  

Resources

Print the Bellevue College Curricular Practical Training Request Form

Last Updated October 18, 2026