{"id":17266,"date":"2026-02-27T11:54:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T19:54:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/international\/?page_id=17266"},"modified":"2026-10-18T14:58:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-18T21:58:08","slug":"cpt","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bellevuecollege.edu\/international\/current-students\/cpt\/","title":{"rendered":"Curricular Practical Training (CPT)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The F\u20111 visa\/status requires students to study full\u2011time, and off\u2011campus work is only allowed when you receive official authorization from a Designated School Official (International Advisor<\/a>) or from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*** Please be advised that F-1 students working off-campus without authorization is illegal. ***<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CPT Update for F\u20111 Students<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program<\/a> (SEVP) recently released new guidance about Curricular Practical Training (CPT). These updates may affect internship planning for F\u20111 students. Please review the two attached SEVP Broadcast messages in the Resources section below for reference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

CPT Processing During the Pause<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Required internships or practicums:<\/strong>
    CPT may be approved only for programs where an internship or practicum is required for all<\/strong> students to graduate. All standard CPT eligibility requirements continue to apply.
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Capstone or Internship pathways:<\/strong>
    For programs offering a choice between a Capstone and an Internship, F\u20111 students must complete the Capstone<\/strong> option<\/strong> during this pause. CPT cannot be approved for the optional internship.
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Submitted Pending and New Requests:<\/strong>
    CPT requests for internships or practicums that are not required for all students will remain on hold until further clarification is received.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    These measures are intended to protect students\u2019 F\u20111 status<\/strong>, safeguard their future immigration benefits<\/strong>, and maintain the college\u2019s ability to support international students effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    CPT Eligibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Students must meet all<\/strong> of the following requirements in order to be eligible to apply for Curricular Practical Training:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Students in the Intensive English Language Program are not <\/strong>eligible for practical training.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. You have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time<\/strong> basis in the college-level program for at least one full academic year<\/strong> (i.e. three consecutive quarters).  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. An internship or practicum course is an integral part of your program\u2019s graduation requirements and is directly related to your major area of study<\/strong>. \n