All About Day 1 CPT in the US

Its Ok Yaar
Jul 8
9 min read

Around March-end or early April each year in the US, 2 things start trending on Google search: H1B Lottery Results and Day 1 CPT colleges. If you're someone who is aspiring to study in the United States or are already studying here in the US, you might have heard about Day 1 CPT – a term that stirs curiosity and often, confusion.

In this detailed blog, we will share everything you need to know about Day 1 CPT in the US, like:

What is Day 1 CPT
How to apply for Day 1 CPT
Is Day 1 CPT Legal
Eligibility Criteria for Day 1 CPT
Top 5 Day 1 CPT Universities
How to Select a Day 1 CPT University
And Some FAQs

For this blog, we’ve partnered with CPTDog. For the past 6 years, CPTDog has helped international students to preserve legal status after graduation and secure work experience by leveraging Day 1 CPT programs.

For now, let’s dive straight into the topic.

What is Day 1 CPT:

Before we understand what Day 1 CPT is (because it is not an actual term), it is important to understand what CPT is.

CPT or "Curricular Practical Training," is a program that allows international students to gain practical work experience while pursuing their academic studies in the United States.

As the term suggests, this is a program that provides international students with the support to acquire a paid position on campus or off campus. Some of the colleges or courses are designed to allow students to begin working as early as the first year.

Your natural question to this would be, who can work off-campus from the first year itself?

Graduate students can begin working off campus in their first year as long as their university:

mandates employment as a required component of the curriculum
requires their employment to begin immediately

As long as students meet the above requirements, students can arrive and begin working during their first semester.

And this is called Day 1 CPT i.e an international student can begin their CPT from the Day 1 of their course.

Now, your obvious next question should be, who is it for? Who are the people who benefit from Day 1 CPT?

So, let’s discuss that for a bit now.

Their course requires them to: Like we explained earlier, there are a lot of students who opt for courses that require them to work as a part of their curriculum. Day 1 CPT of course helps them.
Not selected in the H1B lottery: This is by far the main reason why a lot of people opt for Day 1 CPT. A lot of people who opt for courses or universities offering Day 1 CPT are those who already have full-time jobs, have already studied in the US once, and were not lucky in that year’s H1B lottery selection, and their post-study work visa (OPT) is coming to an end. They opt for Day 1 CPT to simply maintain their legal status in the US so that they can keep working and hope to secure the H1B lottery next year.
Laid-off H1B workers: With all the tech layoffs happening these days, Day 1 CPT offers those laid off from their jobs on an H1B visa another option to stay and study in the US while they try to find a job. And if their new job doesn’t sponsor their H1B visa, they are still in legal status and allowed to work. However, they’ll first have to move to an F1 status. It should also be noted that H1B visa holders should use this option only if they are coming to the end of their 60-day grace period.
H4 and F2 Dependents: H4 and F2 dependents in the US cannot work. H4 visa holders can apply for a work permit provided their spouse has an I-140 approved. In the meantime, they can move to an F1 visa and join a Day 1 CPT university. It will allow them to find a job and start working too.

How to Apply for Day 1 CPT:

The process usually takes only a week or 10 days, but it may vary from institute to institute.

Here’s the process:

Get an offer letter from a company
Apply for CPT: Students need to register for CPT courses in advance and submit the CPT application form, their offer letter, and the CPT agreement signed by the school and their employer
Receive your CPT approval and new I-20. Please ensure that the employer information on the I-20 is correct and only start working after the effective date on your I-20
Renew your CPT before the end of each semester. Some Day 1 CPT colleges don't require you to do so. Please, check with your institute about the same.

Now that we have a fair understanding of what Day 1 CPT is, what the eligibility criteria and how to apply for it, let us look at some of the Top Universities in the US that offer Day 1 CPT.

Is Day 1 CPT Legal?

The legality of Day 1 CPT is a frequent topic of inquiry among students with an F1 visa. It is, in fact, a legal option under certain conditions. International students typically need to complete over a year of their academic program to be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). However, like explained earlier, there are notable exceptions, especially for those who have previously completed a program in the U.S., making Day 1 CPT an accessible option.

According to USCIS practical training guidelines for F1 students, even those with an initial I-20 can legally apply for CPT at the beginning of their program, provided it is a crucial part of their academic curriculum.

The responsibility to ensure that Day 1 CPT programs comply with USCIS regulations falls on the educational institutions.

Designated School Officials (DSOs) at each university play a key role in issuing this authorization. USCIS grants significant autonomy to higher education institutions in designing their programs and managing the recruitment and work authorization processes.

Therefore, when considering Day 1 CPT to gain practical work experience in the U.S., selecting an accredited and reputable Day 1 CPT university is crucial.

So, we're sharing some things to do before applying:

Confirm SEVP Registration: Ensure that the Day 1 CPT universities on your list are officially registered with the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Remember to check not only the university's status but also the specific campus you're interested in.
Check Accreditations: Investigate the accreditations of your chosen Day 1 CPT universities. Ideally, they should have regional accreditation, which is the highest level of accreditation in the U.S.
Connect with Alumni and Current Students: Engage in conversations with alumni or current students of the program. Their insights and experiences can provide valuable perspectives. Pay attention not only to their testimonials but also to the general reputation of the institution.

Book a Consultation with “CPTDog”: Consider scheduling a free consultation with experts at CPTDog for an unbiased third-party opinion on whether the Day 1 CPT program and the school you are considering are the right fit for you. Not just that, they help you through the entire process of finding and getting your admit to a Day1CPT college.

Here’s what you get if you work with them.

CPTDog Offers:

One-on-One Free Consultation
Personalized Day 1 CPT Universities List
Application Fee Waiver & Application Assistant
Scholarship Opportunities
Connecting to the Admission Officer to Get Pre-Approval

And all of this is free. In fact, we’ve connected a few of our followers to them and they’ve had great experience with them already,

Why Choose CPTDog?

Over the past 6 years, they have assisted thousands of international students with various challenges in their post-graduate immigration journey. They provide:

Prompt Response: Guaranteeing a 48-hour response time for new students and near-instantaneous replies for existing CPTDog students.
Expedited Day 1 CPT University Applications: As official partners with over 25 Day 1 CPT universities, their experts efficiently find the right fit for your timeline.
Continued Support Post-Enrollment: Their commitment extends beyond just securing offers. They offer ongoing assistance for any issues with school officials or immigration-related concerns after enrollment.
In-House Immigration Lawyers: Recognizing the importance of status maintenance for international students, they provide affordable, flat-fee legal services with no hidden costs.

Now, that we’ve discussed the legalities of Day 1 CPT, let’s discuss the eligibility for Day 1 CPT

Eligibility for Day 1 CPT:

Like we said, when you’re on Day 1 CPT, you need to make sure you’re abiding by all the rules and regulations. Therefore, we wanted to share the eligibility criteria that you must at all times follow to qualify for Day 1 CPT as well as to maintain your status:

Maintain a valid F-1 visa and I-20 form.
Secure an internship opportunity that is directly related to their field of study.
Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Ensure that the position aligns with their level of study and primary profession.
Obtain CPT authorization before starting the job, as it cannot be retroactive.
Be enrolled in classes at a Day 1 CPT university.
Not a graduate student on Filing Fee status.
Ensure that the internship supervisor is not an F-1 or J-1 student.
Renew their Day 1 CPT authorization in accordance with university regulations.

Failure to comply with any of these requirements may result in the student's status being terminated.

Top 5 Day 1 CPT Universities:

Not every university in the US offers Day 1 CPT. Only a select few can offer CPT from Day 1 because they offer courses that require a student to start working from the first day itself and are accredited. Day 1 CPT universities are institutions that offer programs supporting Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization right from the start of their program.

The information we’ll now share about the Top 5 Day 1 CPT colleges in the US is based on our research and opinions formed through them. Of course the idea of a top or best university also varies from person to person and is based on the courses being considered.

How to Select a Day-1 CPT College

When choosing a Day 1 CPT program, consider the following factors:

Cost: Tuition fees can be high, but some programs offer scholarships and financial aid.
Duration: A DBA program may be more expensive than a shorter program, but it offers an extended period of CPT work, which can increase your chances of getting an H1B visa.
Location: Following the pandemic, several Day 1 CPT universities have resumed their on-site CPT courses. Therefore, choose a university that is close to your workplace to save time and commuting costs. Universities in metropolitan areas offer more internships and career development opportunities.

Make an informed decision based on all of these factors to get the most out of your Day 1 CPT experience. Now, we also wanted to share a few FAQs about Day 1 CPT:

1. Can I work full-time on Day 1 CPT?

You can work either full-time or part-time through CPT work authorization.

CPT requires a signed cooperative agreement or a letter from your employer.

If you use full-time CPT more than 11 months throughout the program, you will not be eligible for OPT post-graduation.

2. Can I work outside of the U.S. while using Day 1 CPT?

Yes, the government has given temporary regulations stating that students may work remotely (even from abroad) with CPT authorization.

However, F-1 students cannot study any program fully online; you must attend on-site courses in the US throughout the semester.

3 Do I need an EAD card while using Day 1 CPT?

NO. An EAD card is not required for CPT. The Day 1 CPT university will issue you I-20s with CPT instead.

4. Can I travel back to India while using Day 1 CPT?

Yes, the travel rules for Day 1 CPT students returning to their home country are the same as for any F-1 students:

Ensure you have a valid F-1 Visa in your passport.
Carry your I-20 form, which includes CPT details.
Have your course syllabus on hand.
Bring evidence of your employment.
Keep your DSO's phone number handy for additional assistance at customs.

5. What is the 60-day rule?

To transfer your SEVIS to a new school, you need an acceptance letter and must apply within 60 days of graduation or your OPT expiration date. Otherwise, your SEVIS status will become inactive; thus, transferring won't be possible.

6. Can I enroll after the program has started?

Yes! CPTDog partner schools allow you to enroll even after the semester has started. There are up to 6 enrollment periods during the year. Contact them for an emergency transfer!

Can I change employers/jobs during CPT?

Yes! But remember to contact your school in advance and update your employer info in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) within 10 days of any employment change.

If I am selected for an H1B, can I drop out of school? If so, how?

Yes! You can drop out of school after being selected for the H1b visa. It is recommended to finish the semester with grades reported on the transcript until the H1b takes effect. You can contact your university's academic advisor if you need to drop out immediately.

In summary, Day 1 CPT is a valuable opportunity for international students who want to gain practical experience while pursuing their academic studies in the United States. However, it is critical to take it seriously, adhere to immigration laws, and follow your university's guidelines. By doing so, you can reap the many benefits it offers while avoiding potential pitfalls.

We hope this blog post has given you a thorough understanding of Day 1 CPT.