Day 1 CPT Colleges
Continue Your Work and Study in the U.S.
Day 1 CPT: A Legal Pathway for International Students to Work in the U.S.
- Step 1: Select a Day 1 CPT school based on geographic location, program, tuition fees, onsite frequency, and enrollment windows.
- Step 2: Apply to Day 1 CPT schools (application timelines).
- Step 3: Get an admission letter.
- Step 4: Transfer your SEVIS record (for OPT students); or file your change of status petition to USCIS (for holders of other visa types). See SEVIS Transfer Guide.
- Step 5: Submit your CPT application to the school's DSO.
- Step 6: Receive an I-20 with CPT work authorization.
- Step 7: Maintain employment with CPT while studying as an F-1 student.
Relevant Readings:
Selecting a Day 1 School by LocationGet Your Customized List of Day 1 CPT Universities for Free!
*Your privacy and data security are our top priorities. Your information will be kept confidential and used solely for the assessment of your individual circumstance. After submitting the form, expect a response from our specialist within 48 hours.
We fully understand anxieties and unique challenges faced by international students, and we are committed to helping you continue your U.S. journey.
Who Can Benefit from Day 1 CPT?
OPT students who are not selected for H-1B and seeking opportunities to extend their legal stay in the U.S.
Read More H1B Visa HoldersH-1B Holders who are laid off and struggling to find a new job in the U.S. within the 60-day grace period.
Read More Dependent visas holders (H4/F2/L2)Dependent visa holders who aim to gain financial independence or financially support their families by pursuing higher education in the U.S.
Read More B1/B2 Visa HoldersB1/B2 holders who seek to extend their stay for educational purposes, intend to transition to F-1 status to attend full-time programs in the U.S.
Read More L1/J1 Visa HoldersL1 and J1 holders who do not want to bind themselves with a single company/university and want higher flexibility for working/studying.
Read More