F-1 Visa Information

• Candidates may work up to 2 years without visa sponsorship by employer as part of their Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
• We will promptly issue the required work authorization (usually the same day that we receive your offer letter).
• Candidates are enrolled in a masters degree program in computer science or accounting in the U.S.
• The university authorizes their employment and notifies U.S. Immigration Services.
• Candidates complete their degrees through part-time distance education during evenings or weekends while working full-time.
• Candidates may work an additional 6 years if sponsored for H-1B work visa by employer.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) vs Optional Practical Training (OPT)

At the Master's level, USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) rules allow students to undertake required CPT positions during the first year of study, without having to be in the program at least one full year beforehand. Unlike Optional Practical Training (OPT), participation in CPT does not require separate USCIS approval with issuance of an I-766 EAD card.
All of our graduate level programs with off-campus internship components, have been fully reviewed and approved by various USCIS officials in the Omaha District Office, which has oversight of our school.

Pertinent Sections from USCIS Regulations US Citizenship and Immigration Services Guide 8CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i)(B)

(10)(i)

Curricular practical training programs. An F-1 student may be authorized by the DSO to participate in a curricular practical training program that is an integral part of an established curriculum. Curricular practical training is defined to be alternative work/study, internship cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. Students who have received one year or more of full time curricular practical training are ineligible for post-completion academic training. Exceptions to the one academic year requirement are provided for students enrolled in graduate studies that require immediate participation in curricular practical training. A request for authorization for curricular practical training must be made to the DSO. A student may begin curricular practical training only after receiving his or her Form I-20 with the DSO endorsement. (Revised effective 1/1/03; 67 FR 76256)

(10)(i)(B)

SEVIS process. To grant authorization for a student to engage in curricular practical training, a DSO at a SEVIS school will update the student's record in SEVIS as being authorized for curricular practical training that is directly related to the student's major area of study. The DSO will indicate whether the training is full-time or part-time, the employer and location, and the employment start and end date. The DSO will then print a copy of the employment page of the SEVIS Form I-20 indicating that curricular practical training has been approved. The DSO must sign, date, and return the SEVIS Form I-20 to the student prior to the student's commencement of employment.

Our DSO Issues the Work Authorization
When a candidate receives a job offer, a university Designated School Official (DSO) logs onto the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) site and authorizes the candidate electronically. Participation in CPT does not require USCIS approval because it is a mandated part of the university's program. The DSO prints a copy of the employment page of the SEVIS Form I-20 (page 3), signs it and faxes it to the employer. The employer needs only to receive this signed form to verify that the employee is officially enrolled in CPT and can begin work on the start date indicated on the form.

Academic Credit
During curricular practical training, candidates receive academic credit from the university. Candidates complete their MSCS degrees through part-time distance education courses during evenings and on weekends, while working full-time.