International students are allowed to work off-campus after completing their first academic year through specific programs. Two of those programs are Optional Practical Training and Curricular Practical Training.

Many international students get a confusing difference between OPT and CPT. To solve this misconception in their mind below is the Difference between OPT vs CPT which will clarify the clear meaning of each term.

What is OPT (Optional Practical Training)?

OPT can be completed before or after graduation, while CPT must be completed before graduation.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a program that temporarily allows international students with an F-1 visa in the United States to work up to 12 months in relation to their major of study.

F-1 visa students are eligible for OPT after completing their first academic year. OPT can be completed both before or after completing your studies, but it’s important to remember that you are only allowed to work 12 months total.

There are two types of OPT:

PRE Completion OPT: 

Allows students to work up to 20 hours a week while still enrolled in school.

PRO Completion OPT:

OPT allows recent graduates to work full time for up to 12 months in the US without the need for another visa.

What is CPT (Curricular Practical Training)?

CPT must be completed before graduating. In addition, CPT can be part-time (20 hours or less a week) or full time (20 hours or more a week). Although, if you work full-time for 12 months in CPT, you will lose your eligibility for OPT.

However, CPT cannot be used once you’ve completed your course of study. This is when you’d be needed to use the OPT.

---

 If you have finished your academics and looking for entry level jobs for international students – OPTnation

---

However, there are some differences between OPT and CPT , which a student on F1 visa must know before getting started.

Optional Practical Training (OPT):-

• OPT can be completed before or after graduation.
• To be eligible for the OPT; the students must be pursuing the studies for a minimum one year.
• OPT has two parts. The pre-completion OPT is the job done while the student is studying and the post-completion opt is the OPT work authorization after completing graduation.
• OPT is a temporary authorization offered to students on F-1 visa to work on their related field for a period  of total 12 months.
• OPT students can work part-time when University/ college is in term; during vacation students can work full-time.
• OPT is not employer specific and allows work, not an internship or co-op.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT):

• CPT must be completed before graduation.
• CPT is authorized by OIP within 5 business days
• No max, however working for over 12 months on CPT eliminates your eligibility for OPT
• CPTis a temporary work authorization provided to the students on F-1 visa, which is directly related to their majors for period of total 12 months.
• CPT authorized during the summer or winter would require the student to pay summer & winter tuition
• CPT is authorized for a specific employer for work related to student’s major field of study.

The student might now be interested in finding OPT jobs in USA. OPT and CPT both are good career opportunities for international students in the USA.

To continue your education/job journey, these additional resources will be helpful:

Quality Assurance Training and Certification Online

internship for international students in usa