OPT vs CPT: Key Differences Explained
OPT and CPT are both F-1 work authorization options, but they work very differently. OPT runs after graduation and gives you up to 12 months (or 36 for STEM fields) to work anywhere in your field. CPT is tied to your curriculum and must be part of your degree program while you're still enrolled.
Use CPT if you're still in school and your program requires or offers an internship for credit. Use OPT if you've graduated or want unrestricted work authorization after your degree ends.
| OPT | CPT | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | F-1 students after one full academic year of enrollment; post-completion OPT begins after graduation | F-1 students whose program requires or offers work experience for credit |
| When You Can Use It | Before graduation (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion) | Only while actively enrolled; must relate directly to your major |
| Duration | 12 months standard; 24-month STEM extension for qualifying fields | No fixed federal limit, but 12+ months of full-time CPT eliminates OPT eligibility |
| Total Allowance | 12 months total per degree level (pre + post combined); STEM adds 24 more | No federal cap; controlled by school and program structure |
| Employer Requirement | Job must relate to degree field; any qualifying employer | Must be authorized by DSO and integrated into coursework |
| Employer Change Process | Can change employers; update SEVP portal within 10 days | Each new employer requires new DSO authorization |
| Government Filing Fees | $410 (I-765 EAD). STEM extension: additional $410. Filed by student | $0. Authorized directly by school DSO through SEVIS |
| Typical Legal Costs | $0-$500. Most file through university international office | $0. Handled entirely by the school |
When to choose OPT
You've graduated and need immediate work authorization
Post-completion OPT is the standard path for F-1 graduates. It lets you work full-time for any qualifying employer in your field without being enrolled in classes.
You're in a STEM field and want a multi-year runway
STEM OPT extension adds 24 months to your standard 12, giving you up to three years to work and pursue H-1B sponsorship across multiple lottery cycles.
You want flexibility to change employers freely
OPT lets you switch jobs or work for multiple employers simultaneously, as long as each role is in your degree field and you update the SEVP portal promptly.
Your program doesn't offer CPT or it isn't required for your degree
If your school or program doesn't integrate work experience into the curriculum, CPT isn't an option. OPT is your only F-1 work authorization pathway.
When to choose CPT
You're still in school and have a paid internship lined up
CPT lets you start working immediately, without waiting for USCIS to process an EAD card. If your program offers it, it's often the fastest path to an internship.
You want to save your OPT for after graduation
Part-time CPT doesn't reduce your OPT eligibility at all. Using it for internships while enrolled preserves your full 12-month OPT for post-graduation job searching.
Your degree requires a practicum, co-op, or clinical placement
Many programs in nursing, education, social work, and engineering require supervised field work as a graduation requirement. CPT is the correct authorization for these placements.
Your program allows CPT in your first year
Most F-1 students must complete one academic year before any work authorization, but some graduate programs require immediate work experience by program design and can authorize CPT before the standard one-year mark.
OPT vs CPT Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use CPT and OPT at the same time?
Not simultaneously for the same job, but you can use CPT while enrolled and then use OPT after graduation. The key warning: if you accumulate 12 or more months of full-time CPT, you permanently lose OPT eligibility. Part-time CPT, meaning less than 20 hours per week, does not count against your OPT.
Does CPT require USCIS approval?
No. CPT is authorized entirely by your Designated School Official (DSO) and recorded on your I-20. You do not file anything with USCIS or pay a government fee. OPT, by contrast, requires filing Form I-765 with USCIS and waiting for your Employment Authorization Document before you can start work.
What happens to my OPT if I use a lot of CPT?
Part-time CPT (under 20 hours per week) has no effect on OPT, regardless of how many months you use it. Full-time CPT (20 or more hours per week) is the risk: 12 or more months of full-time CPT eliminates OPT eligibility completely. Most students strategically stay under that threshold to protect their post-graduation options.
Can I switch employers on OPT?
Yes. You can change employers on OPT as long as the new role is in your degree field and you report the change in the SEVP portal within 10 days. CPT is different: each employer requires a new DSO authorization tied to a specific course, so switching jobs means restarting that process with your international student office.
Which one is better for H-1B sponsorship?
Both OPT and CPT allow your employer to sponsor you for an H-1B while you work, but most H-1B sponsorship happens during OPT or STEM OPT, when students are working full-time post-graduation. STEM OPT is the more strategic choice because it gives you up to three years of work authorization, covering multiple H-1B lottery cycles.
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