{"id":282894,"date":"2024-08-16T19:55:42","date_gmt":"2024-08-16T19:55:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/path2canada-new.flywheelstaging.com\/?page_id=282894"},"modified":"2024-12-18T17:32:03","modified_gmt":"2024-12-18T17:32:03","slug":"everything-you-need-to-know-about-day-1-cpt","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pathtocanada.com\/h1b-alternatives\/day-1-cpt-if-h1b-rejected\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 1 CPT as H-1B Alternative"},"content":{"rendered":"

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child_title_text_text_color__hover=”rgba(30,69,137,0.6)” child_title_text_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover”][difl_iconlistitem list_item_title=”What is Day 1 CPT?” list_item_title_tag=”h2″ list_item_icon=”||fa||900″ list_item_icon_placement=”row” list_item_icon_vertical_placement=”center” list_item_title_url=”#what-is-day-1-cpt” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_color=”on” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/difl_iconlistitem][difl_iconlistitem list_item_title=”How to Apply” list_item_title_tag=”h3″ list_item_icon=”5||divi||400″ list_item_title_url=”#how-to-apply” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/difl_iconlistitem][difl_iconlistitem list_item_title=”Requirements for International Students” list_item_title_tag=”h3″ list_item_icon=”5||divi||400″ list_item_title_url=”#requirements-for-international-students” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/difl_iconlistitem][difl_iconlistitem list_item_title=”Submission Guidelines for CPT Authorization” list_item_title_tag=”h3″ list_item_icon=”5||divi||400″ list_item_title_url=”#submission-guidelines-for-cpt-authorization” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/difl_iconlistitem][difl_iconlistitem list_item_title=”Processing Time” list_item_title_tag=”h3″ list_item_icon=”5||divi||400″ list_item_title_url=”#processing-time” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/difl_iconlistitem][difl_iconlistitem list_item_title=”Validity” list_item_title_tag=”h3″ list_item_icon=”5||divi||400″ list_item_title_url=”#validity” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/difl_iconlistitem][\/difl_iconlist][difl_iconlist list_item_icon_color=”#F09E1F” list_item_icon_bg_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” list_item_icon_size=”13px” list_item_icon_vertical_placement=”center” list_item_content_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” list_item_content_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” list_item_wrapper_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” list_item_wrapper_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” child_title_text_text_color=”#1E4589″ child_title_text_font_size=”16px” child_title_text_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” child_title_text_text_color__hover=”rgba(30,69,137,0.6)” child_title_text_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover”][difl_iconlistitem list_item_title=”List of Day 1 CPT Universities” list_item_title_tag=”h2″ list_item_icon=”||fa||900″ list_item_icon_placement=”row” list_item_icon_vertical_placement=”center” list_item_title_url=”#list-of-day-1-cpt-universities” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_color=”on” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/difl_iconlistitem][\/difl_iconlist][difl_iconlist list_item_icon_color=”#F09E1F” list_item_icon_bg_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” list_item_icon_size=”13px” list_item_icon_vertical_placement=”center” list_item_content_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” list_item_content_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” list_item_wrapper_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” list_item_wrapper_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” child_title_text_text_color=”#1E4589″ child_title_text_font_size=”16px” child_title_text_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” child_title_text_text_color__hover=”rgba(30,69,137,0.6)” child_title_text_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover”][difl_iconlistitem list_item_title=”Employment Restrictions with Day 1 CPT” list_item_title_tag=”h2″ list_item_icon=”||fa||900″ list_item_icon_placement=”row” list_item_icon_vertical_placement=”center” list_item_title_url=”#employment-restrictions-with-day-1-cpt” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_color=”on” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/difl_iconlistitem][\/difl_iconlist][difl_iconlist list_item_icon_color=”#F09E1F” list_item_icon_bg_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” list_item_icon_size=”13px” list_item_icon_vertical_placement=”center” list_item_content_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” list_item_content_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” list_item_wrapper_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” list_item_wrapper_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” child_title_text_text_color=”#1E4589″ child_title_text_font_size=”16px” child_title_text_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” child_title_text_text_color__hover=”rgba(30,69,137,0.6)” child_title_text_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover”][difl_iconlistitem list_item_title=”Which is the better H1-B alternative over Day 1 CPT?” list_item_title_tag=”h2″ list_item_icon=”||fa||900″ list_item_icon_placement=”row” list_item_icon_vertical_placement=”center” list_item_title_url=”#which-is-the-better-h1-b-alternative-over-day-1-cpt” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_color=”on” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/difl_iconlistitem][\/difl_iconlist][difl_iconlist list_item_icon_color=”#F09E1F” list_item_icon_bg_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” list_item_icon_size=”13px” list_item_icon_vertical_placement=”center” list_item_content_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” list_item_content_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” list_item_wrapper_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” list_item_wrapper_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” module_class=”collapsible” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” child_title_text_text_color=”#1E4589″ child_title_text_font_size=”16px” child_title_text_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” child_title_text_text_color__hover=”rgba(30,69,137,0.6)” child_title_text_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover”][difl_iconlistitem list_item_title=”Day 1 CPT to H-1B visa – The Process” list_item_title_tag=”h2″ list_item_icon=”||fa||900″ list_item_icon_placement=”row” list_item_icon_vertical_placement=”center” list_item_title_url=”#day-1-cpt-to-h-1b-visa-the-process” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_color=”on” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/difl_iconlistitem][difl_iconlistitem list_item_title=”Secure Employer Sponsorship for the H1B Visa” list_item_title_tag=”h3″ list_item_icon=”5||divi||400″ list_item_title_url=”#secure-employer-sponsorship-for-the-h1b-visa” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/difl_iconlistitem][difl_iconlistitem list_item_title=”Prepare Required Documentation” list_item_title_tag=”h3″ list_item_icon=”5||divi||400″ list_item_title_url=”#prepare-required-documentation” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/difl_iconlistitem][difl_iconlistitem list_item_title=”Employer’s Responsibilities” list_item_title_tag=”h3″ list_item_icon=”5||divi||400″ list_item_title_url=”#employers-responsibilities” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/difl_iconlistitem][difl_iconlistitem list_item_title=”File H-1B Petition” list_item_title_tag=”h3″ list_item_icon=”5||divi||400″ list_item_title_url=”#file-h-1b-petition” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/difl_iconlistitem][difl_iconlistitem list_item_title=”Maintain F-1 Status During the Process” list_item_title_tag=”h3″ list_item_icon=”5||divi||400″ list_item_title_url=”#maintain-f-1-status-during-the-process” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/difl_iconlistitem][\/difl_iconlist][difl_iconlist list_item_icon_color=”#F09E1F” list_item_icon_bg_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” list_item_icon_size=”13px” list_item_icon_vertical_placement=”center” list_item_content_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” list_item_content_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” list_item_wrapper_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” list_item_wrapper_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” module_class=”collapsible” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” child_title_text_text_color=”#1E4589″ child_title_text_font_size=”16px” child_title_text_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” child_title_text_text_color__hover=”rgba(30,69,137,0.6)” child_title_text_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover”][difl_iconlistitem list_item_title=”FAQs on Day 1 CPT” list_item_title_tag=”h2″ list_item_icon=”||fa||900″ list_item_icon_placement=”row” list_item_icon_vertical_placement=”center” list_item_title_url=”#faqs-on-day-1-cpt” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_color=”on” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/difl_iconlistitem][difl_iconlistitem list_item_title=”Can I do Full-time employment with Day 1 CPT?” list_item_title_tag=”h3″ list_item_icon=”5||divi||400″ list_item_title_url=”#can-i-do-full-time-employment-with-day-1-cpt” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/difl_iconlistitem][difl_iconlistitem list_item_title=”What if the university denies the Day 1 CPT application?” list_item_title_tag=”h3″ list_item_icon=”5||divi||400″ list_item_title_url=”#what-if-the-university-denies-the-day-1-cpt-application” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/difl_iconlistitem][difl_iconlistitem list_item_title=”Day 1 CPT visa Impact on other US visas” list_item_title_tag=”h3″ list_item_icon=”5||divi||400″ list_item_title_url=”#day-1-cpt-visa-impact-on-other-us-visas” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/difl_iconlistitem][difl_iconlistitem list_item_title=”Is work experience gained under Day 1 CPT valid?” list_item_title_tag=”h3″ list_item_icon=”5||divi||400″ list_item_title_url=”#is-work-experience-gained-under-day-1-cpt-valid” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/difl_iconlistitem][difl_iconlistitem list_item_title=”Can I hold Day 1 CPT and H-1B at the same time?” list_item_title_tag=”h3″ list_item_icon=”5||divi||400″ list_item_title_url=”#can-i-hold-day-1-cpt-and-h-1b-at-the-same-time” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/difl_iconlistitem][\/difl_iconlist][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner module_id=”working-in-canada” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”5px||||false|false” border_width_top=”1px” border_color_top=”rgba(99,102,106,0.19)” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_class=”custom-content” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_line_height=”1.3em” link_text_color=”#1E4589″ header_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”32px” header_2_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#1E4589″ header_4_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#000000″ header_5_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|on||||||” header_5_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}” link_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” link_text_color__hover=”#5F8AB4″]<\/p>\n

Day 1 CPT \u2013 If H-1B is rejected<\/h1>\n

The Day 1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a work authorization becoming popular for students because it allows international students to start working immediately. Recently, it has become popular as a visa alternative for people who have been unsuccessful in the H1B lottery.<\/p>\n

What is Day 1 CPT?<\/h2>\n

The Day 1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a work authorization that international students (F-1 student visa holders) can apply for that allows them to work as soon as they enroll in their program.<\/p>\n

Day 1 CPT is offered by specific master\u2019s and doctoral programs in the United States, allowing graduate students to start working in roles relevant to their field of study from the very first day of their academic program.<\/p>\n

How to Apply<\/h3>\n

To begin the application process for Day 1 CPT, international students must work closely with the university\u2019s Designated School Official (DSO) to determine their eligibility. Registering for a CPT course is an important initial step in accessing Curricular Practical Training (CPT) benefits.<\/p>\n

The timeline for approval can vary, so it is crucial to apply before the program start date. The university has the authority to make decisions regarding on-campus or off-campus internships, and students should be aware of the potential risks if they choose not to participate in regular classes.<\/p>\n

Requirements for International Students<\/h3>\n

To request Day 1 CPT, the international student must be studying at a university or college that offers Day 1 CPT, have a valid F-1 international student visa, and have a job offer that is closely related to their field of study.<\/p>\n

Students can start working under Day 1 CPT from their first semester, providing an early start that is a significant advantage for gaining work experience and enhancing their resumes.<\/p>\n

Your Designated School Official (DSO) must also approve your work as part of your application process, and it is important to apply before the program start date. Additionally, you must maintain a GPA of 3.0 in your schoolwork during your internship to maintain legal status.<\/p>\n

Submission Guidelines for CPT Authorization<\/h3>\n

University programs play a critical role in allowing international students to utilize Day 1 CPT, enabling them to start working alongside their studies from the very first day.<\/p>\n

The university also has the authority to make decisions regarding on-campus or off-campus internships so students should be aware of the potential risks if they choose not to participate in regular classes.<\/p>\n

The work performed under CPT must be directly related to the international student\u2019s major field of study. Misalignment can be viewed as non-compliance. International students must be enrolled full-time in a degree program, and the CPT must be integral to their course of study.<\/p>\n

You must have a job offer before applying for CPT. The CPT application process typically requires you to provide details about the job, including the employer\u2019s name, job description, and how it relates to your studies. Proper documentation, including a detailed explanation of how the CPT is integral to the curriculum, is required.<\/p>\n

Processing Time<\/h3>\n

The processing time for Day 1 CPT depends on the approval process set by the institution and DSO rather than the USCIS. Once the DSO submits its approval of the application, the university is responsible for updating the applicant\u2019s I-20.<\/p>\n

Once the international student has received the updated I-20, they are eligible to start working. These processing times could be days or up to a few weeks depending on the DSO\u2019s workload.<\/p>\n

Validity<\/h3>\n

Day 1 CPT work authorization is valid from the day that their I-20 is updated which means the international student can usually start working from the very first day of their program.<\/p>\n

International students need to consider how their Day 1 CPT work authorization could affect their eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT) later on.<\/p>\n

Excessive use of CPT (especially full-time) can inhibit their eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT), as students are limited to 12 months of full-time CPT. Planning the transition from CPT to OPT can be complex and requires careful timing to avoid gaps in employment authorization.<\/p>\n

List of Day 1 CPT Universities<\/h2>\n

There are Day 1 CPT universities located across the US. You can find a comprehensive list of schools online<\/a> but be sure to check that the institutions you are interested in have the accreditation needed by the F-1 visa requirements.<\/p>\n

Some popular options include:<\/p>\n