No. UMass policy is that CPT is required only if you are compensated (paycheck, stipend, scholarship, etc.). Uncompensated off-campus opportunities do not require CPT.
UMass Amherst is your immigration sponsor while on CPT. We will assist you with the work authorization needed for your employment. No additional sponsorship beyond your CPT authorization is required.
CPT must be authorized prior to the add/drop deadline in your final term. Since CPT is curricular, it must be part of your degree. If you’d like to start your OPT job immediately after the term ends, apply for OPT.
No, you must complete CPT before your completion of studies date or your defense date. CPT is part of your degree, not just for work authorization.
No. CPT authorization is specific. Changing your employer, dates, full-time/part-time hours, etc. from what is on your I-20 requires ISSS approval. If you are extending your internship dates, please see the CPT Extension Request section. If you are changing your employer, you need to submit a new CPT request and should follow the CPT Application Steps section.
Yes, but you must request a separate CPT authorization using the process above for EACH employer.
No.
No. Since you were only approved for part-time CPT, you must gain approval for full-time CPT from your department and resubmit the CPT Request E-form under CPT Application Steps.
Please contact your ISSS advisor immediately so we can amend your CPT.
Yes—with the following warnings:
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Regulations state that 12-months or more of full-time CPT will eliminate ALL OPT eligibility. ISSS does not recommend using 12-months or more of full-time CPT. Full-time CPT is considered 20 hours or more per week.
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You will need to meet the CPT eligibility requirements each term and complete the application process for each academic term’s CPT. This will require multiple CPT requests.
Employment of an academic nature (teaching, research, etc.) at the Five Colleges is considered on-campus and does not need CPT approval if you remain under the 20 hour/week limit at both UMass and the Five Colleges. If you will work more than 20 hours on-campus and at a Five College, please contact your ISSS Advisor. Other employment (office work, athletics, etc.) at the Five Colleges is not permitted.
You may need a separate letter from ISSS for the other institution’s HR and the SSN process.
CPT may be required for individuals receiving an honorarium as part of a speaking engagement. If this is your situation, please contact your ISSS Advisor.
Yes. Update your address in SPIRE within 10-days of relocating for your CPT employment (internship, etc.). Failure to do so could be considered a violation of your immigration status. You should also update the Career Development Hub.
Be sure to update both your mailing and physical addresses.
No, you are eligible for unlimited part-time CPT if you meet the CPT eligibility requirements and follow the application steps for each academic term’s CPT.
It depends. In some situations, we would recommend that you apply for CPT even if you are abroad. Please review the questions below and reach out to your ISSS Advisor with your answers so we can help you determine if you need CPT.
- Will you be in the U.S. at any point of your internship?
- Is the internship company located in the U.S. or outside of the U.S.?
- Are you being paid in U.S. dollars? Are you being paid in a U.S. bank account?
- Where is the internship company located?
- What internship location will you put on your CV/resume?
All students interning abroad (even if you do not need CPT) must get approval from the Education Abroad office in the IPO. Please email abroad@umass.edu to ensure all UMass travel protocols are met.
Yes. If you need an SSN, you can apply within 30-days of your employment starting date using your new CPT I-20 and your offer letter. See the SSN instructions for those on CPT here.
ISSS cannot advise on taxes so you should consult with your company’s payroll, the VITA Tax Clinic at Isenberg (February through April), or a tax professional proficient in non-resident tax status questions. We also highly recommend consulting these Internal Revenue Service guidelines here.
Yes, please review our travel information here to ensure you have all the needed documents to return to the U.S. Your CPT I-20 should already be signed for travel on page 2 of your I-20 so there is no need to request an additional signature unless it is more than 12 months old.
Be sure to verify that you have a travel signature on your new CPT I-20.
It depends:
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Students who finished their degree and then immediately begin a new degree program (i.e., bachelor’s to masters) are eligible for CPT. Usage of full-time CPT resets at each degree level.
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Students who finished their degree and then were on OPT are not eligible for CPT until after 9 months of full-time enrollment in F-1 status (unless the new graduate degree program requires immediate participation).
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Students who were at a previous institution and/or in another immigration status may be eligible for CPT. Check with your ISSS advisor if you are unsure.
No. You can only start working once ISSS has provided your new CPT I-20. Starting prior to your approved start date will be a violation of the immigration regulations and may jeopardize your immigration status.
CPT combined with other on-campus employment is considered a gray area of the regulations as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s’ guidance is not clear. The decision to have CPT and on-campus employment is ultimately up to you. You should consider your course load with your on-campus work, in addition to your CPT, and personal commitments in deciding to combine CPT with on-campus employment. Remember that you are a student first and that not meeting your academic or professional obligations can have long-term consequences.
Up to 20 hours per week is considered part time; anything more than 20 hours per week is considered full time for CPT purposes.