| Duration |
On-campus employment available until F-1 study period ends; off-campus after 1st year through CPT, OPT, STEM OPT |
No max, but 12-months of full-time CPT eliminates OPT eligibility |
Max 12 months |
Max 24 months (may do twice with two qualifying degree programs of different levels) |
| Dual Intent? |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| Premium Processing? |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Subject to a Type of Numerical Cap? |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Qualification Threshold Level |
Very low for on-campus work; very high for off-campus work (special circumstances or severe economic hardship required) |
Low |
Low |
Only available for qualifying majors |
| Unique Requirements of Conditions |
Work must be “on-campus”; maximum 20 hours per week when school is in session |
Maximum of 90 days of unemployment; only available prior to completion of degree program; CPT may not delay completion of academic program |
One year of full-time (20+ hours per week) CPT eliminates OPT eligibility; part-time is okay, as is less than full-time |
Employer must be enrolled in E-Verify; must be paid; must complete a training plan; must work a minimum of 20 hours per week; maximum 60 days of unemployment (in addition to the 90 days provided by OPT) |
| Employer Specific? |
Just need to make sure the job qualifies as “on-campus employment” |
Yes, but may have more than one CPT at the same time |
No, but employment must be directly related to field of study |
No, but must have standard qualifications and meet regular requirements |
