International Student Work Authorization

Please click here for a downloadable PDF version of how to process CPT work authorization for off-campus U.S.-based internships with clickable links.

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SUMMER

Students may participate in a part-time internship (20 hours or less per week) or a full-time internship (more than 20 hours per week), but only when they are continuing at SIPA in the fall.
 

FALL & SPRING SEMESTERS

Students may participate in a part-time internship (20 hours or less per week) only. Student must be matriculated at SIPA.
 

International students are responsible to be in compliance with the following CPT work authorization policies:

1. Students are only eligible for CPT work authorization for required internships in their program or concentration.
2. Students MUST register themselves during the open registration window if they have already received an internship offer letter. If an internship is found after the add/drop timeline, please reach out to [email protected] for further guidance.
3. CPT approval cannot be granted retroactively.
4. CPT work authorization dates are the only dates a student can work at internship site location (including remote, hybrid, or on-site work).
5. Students must begin their internship by the Monday of the seventh week of the fall or spring semester, or by the last day of July for summer internships. (Students are responsible for checking in with CAC prior to accepting an internship around these timelines)
6. Add/Drop Internship Course Guidance
   • The add/drop deadline does not apply to the internship course registration.
   • Students must register the course/process CPT items by the 5-6th week of the semester (Spring or Fall) and begin their internship by the Monday of the seventh week.

CPT Summer Extension

1. The approved CPT start and end period  is the only time  a student can work for an organization (example: June 1-July 15).
2. For summer internships, extensions cannot span into the Fall semester.
3. If an employer requests for a student to continue work past CPT work authorized date, the student needs to immediately notify CAC and ISSO.
4. Students will need to obtain proper work authorization from ISSO to extend their original CPT work authorization request within the summer period.
5. Once the extension is granted from ISSO, students can continue working for the organization and be in compliance with visa regulations and work authorization.

CPT Request - After Graduation

• Unfortunately due to off campus internship opportunities consisting of a CPT work authorization, this is not possible for international students.
• CPT work authorizations can only be granted when a student is matriculated at SIPA.  
• Internship Course registration and CPT work authorizations go hand-in-hand, which means that if students are not matriculated at SIPA, they cannot request CPT work authorization for any internships after graduation.  
• If you would like work authorization guidance for after graduation, please check in with the ISSO team by scheduling a meeting with them here.

CPT INTERNSHIP START & END DATES

CPT is authorized per semester and cannot be authorized for a period of work that is outside of the semester parameters, below. Each new semester of CPT requires a new complete CPT application with new supporting documents. Students must begin their internship by the Monday of the seventh week of the fall or spring semesters or by the last day of July for summer internships.
 

CONTINUING STUDENTS (returning in the Fall semester)

Fall semester: Start: September 1. End: December 31.

Spring semester: Start: January 1. End: May 31.

Summer period: Start: The Monday following Final Examinations week (refer to Academic Calendar). End: Day before start date of Fall semester.
 

GRADUATING STUDENTS (not returning)

Fall semester: Start: September 1. End: Official last day of semester (only if completing full term: Program end date may vary).

Spring semester: Start: January 1. End: Official last day of semester (only if completing full term: Program end date may vary).

Summer period: Start: The Monday following Final Examinations week (refer to Academic Calendar). End: 31-Aug (only if completing full term: Program end date may vary).

Curricular Practical Training is the authorization for off-campus employment that is an integral part of the established curriculum of a degree program.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is not available to all F-1 students; eligibility depends on the academic requirements of a particular degree program. CPT is authorized only for the internship required by a student’s degree — it is not currently available for elective internships.

An F-1student cannot receive pay or compensation for off-campus work in the U.S. unless and until the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) has processed the appropriate application and granted authorization. It is the student's responsibility to understand the rules of their status and keep their documents in order by consulting with ISSO.

For more information, please visit the ISSO website, contact them at [email protected], or book a virtual appointment with an ISSO advisor.

Important Considerations

F-1 students must obtain off-campus work authorization from the Columbia University International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) to pursue a required internship. F-1 students must receive Curricular Practical Training (CPT) approval, and all applicants must submit a completed cooperative agreement. This applies to paid and unpaid internship opportunities.

1. CPT can be used ONLY during the academic program
2. CPT approval cannot be granted retroactively
3. F-1 students must be enrolled full-time for two (2) consecutive semesters
4. Students must be in F-1 status at the time of application for CPT
5. CPT can only be granted for full time hours during Summer internships
6. CPT can only be granted for part time hours during the Spring and Fall semesters
7. Summer Registration does not exist at SIPA. Any Summer internship opportunity needs to be registered during the preceding semester. (Example: Spring 2025 registration for Summer 2025 internship)
8. ISSO makes all final determinations regarding a student’s eligibility for CPT based on multiple factors.
9. CAC cannot override determinations made by ISSO.
10. Students may apply for CPT as early as 90 days but no less than 20 business days before they wish to begin employment.

CPT Approval Process

1. First Approval (Approx 7-10 business days) – CAC: Initial review
   • Reviews the CPT request (dates within semester parameters, sections 1 and 2 completed), brief letter (6 required points addressed), completed cooperative agreement, and ensures internship course registration has been recorded.
   • If all paperwork is in compliance, it is returned to the student, signed, for ISSO submission.
2. Final Approval (Approx 10 business days) – ISSO: Final review
   • Reviews the CPT request, brief letter, completed cooperative agreement, and confirms visa and registration compliance.
   • ISSO provides final approval, notifies student once approval has been granted, and reissues the visa document.

What about dual degree students?

A student in a formal dual degree program with SIPA and a school overseas (e.g. Sciences Po, London School of Economics, etc.) is eligible for CPT only if they have spent the first year overseas and will complete the final year of the program at SIPA. Dual-degree students that have been admitted to SIPA but have not yet enrolled are not eligible for CPT approval through SIPA. 

In summary, to be eligible for CPT, a student must:

• Be in lawful F-1 status for one academic year (two consecutive full-time terms), not counting time in English language preparation
• Have an internship that is required by their degree program (elective internships are not eligible).
• Be a degree candidate
• Have an appropriate internship offer as part of the application

Students should review all the details of F-1 CPT available on the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) website.

Please note that the CAC cannot override determinations made by ISSO.

The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) notes that during the Spring and Fall semesters, students are enrolled full time, and as a result can only pursue a part time internship with part time hours. Typically this encompasses a minimum of 120 internship hours.

If the internship is conducted during the summer period with a spring registration, the student can pursue a full-time internship with full-time hours. Typically this encompasses a minimum of 240 internship hours.

ISSO is the office on campus that can speak to weekly hour limits based on specific student visas and program requirements. SIPA and the CAC can only speak to overall semester minimum internship hours, based on credit registration: 0, 1.5 credit registrations require a minimum of 120 internship hours and 3 credit registration requires a minimum of 240 internship hours).

The ISSO team will be able to best assist with inquiries about the specific hours a student can work during their CPT authorization period. ISSO provides further guidance on this link, under the "Before your Apply" section, in the "CPT Hours for Elective Courses" drop-down.

We encourage all students to verify with the ISSO team by scheduling an in person or virtual meeting through their appointment link.

Students participating in Columbia-related international travel, including internships and fellowships, must comply with Columbia's International Travel Planning Policy (ITPP). 

Please visit Global Travel: Planning Columbia-Related International Travel for pre-departure requirements. 

Additionally, all Columbia-related international travel must be registered in ISOS MyTrips.