The American Student (F1) Visa is a temporary Non-immigrant Visa which allows a person to enter America for the purpose of undertaking a full time academic program. Generally, obtaining an F1 Visa is a straightforward process although it can be difficult if the visa applicant is from a country with a history of visa fraud.
The F1 Visa is valid for the duration of the proposed academic program, known as the duration of status, so long as the visa holder remains enrolled in the educational institution and does not violate the conditions of their visa.
F-1 students wishing to participate in an off-campus training program that is “an integral part of an established curriculum” must first obtain work authorization for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). The training, which must be directly related to the student’s major field of study, is defined as ”alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum, which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school” (Title 8, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 214.2 (f)(10).
The purpose of a CPT program is to integrate real-life employment training with a student's education. The practical training that students receive by working in an American Company gives them the skills and experience that cannot be obtained in a normal classroom-only education format, thus giving an advantage in achieving life goals after graduation.
The wages that are paid to the students for their CPT employment are equal to the wages paid to American employees in the same kind of employment. Net earnings are retained by the students and used for their personal or educational needs. |
