FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued advisories regarding Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for F-1 students (message on August 12, and another message on August 24). The guidance limits the circumstances under which CPT may be authorized and affects current and future CPT eligibility for some Columbia international students.
We will update the CPT eligibility information page to make this information easier to find and will continue to direct students to their schools for curricular and individual resources and support.
Update as of September 24: Timeline of the University's Response
After the two advisories came forward, ISSO launched a major effort to assess the impact and take measures to protect international students and our schools.
Between August 31 and September 1, ISSO notified all affected students. Given the volume of impacted students we felt it unwise to issue any messages before a weekend, when staff would not be available to organize advising sessions both at ISSO and at the Schools. Any and all visitors to ISSO are given specific attention.
On September 23, the International Student Hardship Fund opened for Fall 2026.
Following the messages posted in August, we have updated our CPT approval process to be consistent with the advisories.
Columbia will only authorize CPT that is integral to the academic curriculum, required of all students in the program, and documented with a cooperative agreement.
All other CPT authorizations are currently paused for programs in which CPT is not a mandatory degree requirement of all students in the program.
CPT approvals that our DSOs authorized before the August 24, 2026 advisory will not be rescinded.
The University will continue to assess its approach as additional information or guidance becomes available.
CPT approvals that our DSOs authorized before the August 24, 2026 advisory will not be rescinded. These experiences were authorized under existing regulations and policy guidance. Students who still wish to modify their academic plan for Fall 2026 are welcome to work with their schools and ISSO on these changes.
Students directly affected by the change will be contacted individually by ISSO together with representatives from their school over the next several days and will schedule meetings in the order of the start dates of internships and practicum experiences. Students should monitor their Columbia email carefully for communications from ISSO and their schools.
Schools will be working with impacted students to assess the individual impacts to students. Schools will arrange meetings that include the student, appropriate academic advisers or school representatives, and ISSO, as appropriate, to discuss possible curricular alternatives and other ways the school may be able to support the student.
Students should not begin employment without appropriate employment authorization.
Students should connect with ISSO and their school or academic adviser so that their individual circumstances can be reviewed. CPT authorization will be provided consistent with the recent advisories.
Alternatives will depend on the student’s individual circumstances and academic program. Students should work with their school's Vice Dean of Education or Advising Dean to identify appropriate curricular alternatives or on campus opportunities where possible.
Not necessarily. CPT is a temporary form of work authorization. Our international students are permitted to participate in unpaid internships, which do not usually require a student to complete a Form I-9 and show proof of work authorization, if the internship lawfully meets the requirements to be unpaid. Students cannot, however, decide to forgo pay to do an internship that should be paid work. If you should be paid for your internship or if you otherwise need to complete a Form I-9 for your off-campus work, your employer or placement site will ask you to show work authorization such as CPT or OPT at the start of your placement. Students should also ensure that all summaries of unpaid experiences in resumes and online profiles accurately reflect that the experience was unpaid.
You can learn more about when unpaid internships are permissible on these agency websites U.S. Department of Labor and New York State Department of Labor. You can also learn more via the DHS website. You may find that some organizations may even require you to show proof of work authorization as a condition of participating in a permissible unpaid internship. Students should review ISSO’s guidance on Unpaid Internships and Volunteering and always consult with an ISSO Designated School Official before beginning an unpaid internship to determine whether work authorization is required.
You may be eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training.
Unfortunately no. You can apply for CPT only if your academic program meets the criteria.
No, you cannot work during a leave of absence. You need to be a currently registered student making normal progress toward your degree to engage in CPT.
Our schools work with the Provost’s office on any academic changes to program requirements. The kinds of changes require the approval of the appropriate faculty body of the school or department and usually approval of the New York State Department of Education, as well.
In only a limited amount of circumstances will pre-completion OPT be a viable alternative. Seek advice from an ISSO adviser.
Federal immigration policy and guidance can change, and the University is closely monitoring for additional information or clarification from the federal government.
Students should consult the ISSO website for questions about CPT, immigration status, or employment authorization. Updates, guidance, and additional resources will be posted on the ISSO website as they become available. For alternatives to internships and practical experiences, students should be in touch with their Dean of Students or advisers within their schools.
On this Page
Degree Program Criteria
The regulations state that a student may participate in a “curricular practical training program” that is “an integral part of an established curriculum” and “directly related to the student’s major area of study.” Curricular practical training is defined as “alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.”
F-1 Student Eligibility
You must:
Before You Apply
CPT can be used only during the academic program.
Part-Time is 20 hours or fewer per week. You are limited to part-time hours during the fall and/or spring term. You are also limited to part-time during the summer if:
- your program has a required summer term OR
- summer is your final term
Full-Time is more than 20 hours per week. You may be full-time during the summer vacation period only if you will be continuing in the fall.
Generally, students who are enrolled half-time or more, are limited to no more than 20 hours of work per week, across all compensated positions, on- or off-campus (generally fall and spring semesters).
If you have questions please consult with your department or school.
Review the table below for a visual:
CPT is only authorized for dates that are within the semester.
In the final term, CPT must end with the official last day of the Spring or Fall semester. Final summer term CPT end dates may vary, consult your academic advisor and the ISSO.
You are expected to be attending in-person classes during the required terms in the academic year. If your employer is located elsewhere in the U.S., you may engage in CPT only if it is remote.
Apply at least 10 business days before your requested start date. CPT cannot be authorized retroactively, so plan ahead!
Time authorized for CPT is not deducted from the amount of OPT you are allowed after graduation.
If, however, you have been authorized for 12 months or more of full-time CPT, you are no longer eligible for OPT. This is a rare occurrence at Columbia because most students are not eligible for full-time CPT for 12 months.
If eligible, you will need to submit a new application if you change employers or need to extend the time. If there are any changes to your already approved CPT request, indicate the changes in your new application, (e.g. providing a new end date if shortening or extending within the same semester.)
Application Process
Get a Brief Letter From Your CPT Employer That Includes These Six Requirements
Your CPT application requires a letter from your U.S. based CPT employer that must include all six of the following elements required by F-1 regulations. A typical offer letter will not suffice. Your CPT request will be denied if your letter is incomplete, and you will have to reapply.
The CPT Employer letter must:
- be on official company letterhead
- have a specific start date and a specific end date
- include the U.S. address of your employer.
The letter should indicate if you are working remotely from your NY-area home. - include the number of hours per week you will work
- include a detailed description or list of position duties
- be signed and dated by your employer
Review our sample letter for help, but do not submit it!
Use Compass to Submit Your Application
Please click the appropriate link below:
Not sure of your campus? Check our campus school list.
Need help using Compass? Learn more on our Compass User Guide.
We Will Contact You
Allow approximately 10 business days for us to review and process your application.
If your request is approved, we will email your new digital Form I-20 with additional instructions.
Review, Sign and Date Your New I-20
Your CPT authorization is on page 2. Use this I-20 for travel. The travel signature on page 2 is valid for 12 months or until your program end date, whichever is earlier.
Keep all previously issued I-20s. You may need them in the future.
After You Have Your CPT I-20
You are now eligible to apply for an SSN up to 30 days before your CPT employment start date. Find the application process here.
You can't start employment before the CPT start date printed on your I-20.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued advisories regarding Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for F-1 students (message on August 12, and another message on August 24). The guidance limits the circumstances under which CPT may be authorized and affects current and future CPT eligibility for some Columbia international students.
The University is continuing to review the advisories carefully and assess their implications for our students and academic programs.
Following the messages posted in August, we have updated our CPT approval process to be consistent with the advisories.
Columbia will only authorize CPT that is integral to the academic curriculum, required of all students in the program, and documented with a cooperative agreement.
All other CPT authorizations are currently paused for programs in which CPT is not a mandatory degree requirement of all students in the program.
CPT approvals that our DSOs authorized before the August 24, 2026 advisory will not be rescinded.
The University will continue to assess its approach as additional information or guidance becomes available.
CPT approvals that our DSOs authorized before the August 24, 2026 advisory will not be rescinded. These experiences were authorized under existing regulations and policy guidance. Students who still wish to modify their academic plan for Fall 2026 are welcome to work with their schools and ISSO on these changes.
Students directly affected by the change will be contacted individually by ISSO together with representatives from their school over the next several days and will schedule meetings in the order of the start dates of internships and practicum experiences. Students should monitor their Columbia email carefully for communications from ISSO and their schools.
Schools will be working with impacted students to assess the individual impacts to students. Schools will arrange meetings that include the student, appropriate academic advisers or school representatives, and ISSO, as appropriate, to discuss possible curricular alternatives and other ways the school may be able to support the student.
Students should not begin employment without appropriate employment authorization.
Students should connect with ISSO and their school or academic adviser so that their individual circumstances can be reviewed. CPT authorization will be provided consistent with the recent advisories.
Alternatives will depend on the student’s individual circumstances and academic program. Schools are being asked to work directly with affected students, their academic advisers, and when relevant ISSO, to identify appropriate curricular alternatives where possible.
Our schools work with the Provost’s office on any academic changes to program requirements. The kinds of changes require the approval of the appropriate faculty body of the school or department and usually approval of the New York State Department of Education, as well.
Federal immigration policy and guidance can change, and the University is closely monitoring for additional information or clarification from the federal government.
Students should consult the ISSO website for questions about CPT, immigration status, or employment authorization. Updates, guidance, and additional resources will be posted on the ISSO website as they become available. For alternatives to internships and practical experiences, students should be in touch with their Dean of Students or advisers within their schools.
You may be eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training.
Unfortunately no. You can apply for CPT only if your academic program meets the criteria.
No, you cannot work during a leave of absence. You need to be a currently registered student making normal progress toward your degree to engage in CPT.