Practical training for F-1 students
What the regulation provides about curricular and optional practical training, including the unemployment limits that apply during post-completion OPT.
Authority: 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)
Curricular practical training
- The regulation defines curricular practical training as alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)
- It provides that a student may begin curricular practical training only after receiving a Form I-20 with the DSO endorsement. 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)
- It states that students who have received one year or more of full-time curricular practical training are ineligible for post-completion academic training. 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)
- It requires the training to be directly related to the student’s major area of study, and provides that the DSO records in SEVIS whether it is full-time or part-time. 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)
Unemployment during post-completion OPT
- The regulation states that during post-completion OPT, F-1 status is dependent upon employment. 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(E)
- It provides that students may not accrue an aggregate of more than 90 days of unemployment during any post-completion OPT period. 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(E)
- For students granted a 24-month STEM extension, it sets the limit at an aggregate of 150 days of unemployment across the total OPT period, including the post-completion period and the extension. 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(E)
Duration of status while on OPT
- The regulation defines duration of status for a student with approved post-completion OPT as the period beginning on the date the OPT application was properly filed and pending approval, including the authorized OPT period, and ending 60 days after the OPT employment authorization expires. 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(D)
The 24-month STEM extension
- The regulation requires that the degree forming the basis of a 24-month extension be from a U.S. institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognised by the Department of Education at the time of application. 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(C)(1)
- It provides that in no event may a student be authorised for more than two lifetime STEM OPT extensions. 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(C)
- It provides that any subsequent application for an additional 24-month extension must be based on a degree at a higher degree level than the degree that was the basis for the first extension. 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(C)
This page reports what published regulations provide, with the citation for each statement. It is not legal advice, it is not complete, and it says nothing about any particular person's situation. Verify each citation against the current text at eCFR before acting on anything here.