The US has narrowed internship opportunities for international students
The United States has significantly tightened internship requirements for international students with F-1 visas. A new federal clarification narrows the possibility of using the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) program: now an internship must be a mandatory part of the curriculum for all students in the relevant major, and not just a way to gain work experience during studies.
The new requirements are set out in a clarification from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which is part of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The document was sent to universities on August 24. The Wall Street Journal notes that the changes effectively deprive some international students of the opportunity to participate in regular summer internships through CPT.
CPT allows F-1 visa students to legally work off-campus during their studies—including paid or unpaid internships, practicums, or cooperative education programs, if they are related to their major.
Previously, many universities allowed CPT to be used for internships related to the academic discipline or research even if the practice was not a mandatory requirement for obtaining a degree. For example, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign explicitly states that CPT was previously approved for internships that were not necessary for graduation but were tied to a relevant course or thesis topic.
In the SEVP clarification of August 24, a much stricter interpretation of the term "integral part of the curriculum" is used. The practical training must be mandatory for all students in the respective program—both American and international. If an internship is tied only to an elective course that a student may choose not to take, it no longer meets the new CPT standard.
At the same time, it is not about canceling the CPT program itself or passing a new law. Federal authorities have tightened the interpretation and application of existing rules, prompting universities to review their approval practices.
The SEVP also warned educational institutions about responsibility for improper CPT authorization. In cases of non-compliance, a university could, in extreme situations, lose its certification that allows it to enroll international students.
Universities are already halting some authorizations
The changes have already affected students at a number of major American universities.
The University of Southern California announced that from August 24 it will only allow CPT when the practical training is a mandatory requirement for obtaining a degree. Already issued authorizations remain valid.
The University of Washington has temporarily suspended issuing new CPT authorizations for non-required internships. The university explained that following the new clarification, practical training may only be allowed when it is necessary for all students in the program to complete it.
UC Berkeley has also suspended processing so-called Course Credit CPT—authorizations for internships that a student could obtain through enrollment in a corresponding academic course. The university's website states that this CPT category is currently unavailable.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has introduced a similar approach: authorization can only be issued when practical training is mandatory for all students in the program regardless of citizenship.
Who is affected
The changes primarily affect foreign nationals studying in the US on F-1 student visas who wanted to gain professional experience before completing their university education.
The new requirements may be especially impactful for students in programs where internships are encouraged or counted as an elective course but are formally not required for the degree. Such cases are now being massively reviewed by universities.
Meanwhile, other mechanisms for permitted work for F-1 students are not canceled. In particular, Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) can be used for work directly related to the major, even if it is not a mandatory part of the curriculum. However, OPT processing follows a different procedure through USCIS, and time used before graduation reduces the period of OPT available after studies are completed.
Based on materials: The Wall Street Journal, University of Washington, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
