On August 12 and August 24, 2026, broadcast messages described the Student and Exchange Visitor Program’s (SEVP) interpretation and oversight expectations for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). The updates have left many F-1 students with uncertainties about their future while on CPT, including the widely used "Day-1 CPT" option.
The messages describe SEVP’s narrower interpretation of how schools are expected to determine when practical training qualifies as "integral" to a curriculum. The latest update has led some schools to temporarily halt new authorizations, while others have refined eligibility criteria or now require additional documentation.
However, F-1 students, employers, and schools should note that CPT itself hasn’t been eliminated, and current authorizations aren’t revoked automatically. The shift in SEVP's focus has still brought many questions into the spotlight. F-1 students must confirm their own authorization and any school review directly with their DSO.
Let’s look at some of the vital questions regarding the update and what F-1 students should look out for in the future.
Which employers accept Day-1 CPT?
At present, there is no official or industry-wide list that highlights which employers accept Day-1 CPT. The policies can differ by business unit, position, and the recruiting cycle. A best practice would be to ask the recruiter whether a position accepts an employer-specific CPT I-20, and ask your DSO what employer documentation and cooperative agreement structure the school requires.
Can I change employers while using CPT?
Yes, it is possible for F-1 students to change employers while using CPT, if the new position qualifies academically and their DSO authorizes it before they begin employment. CPT authorization identifies the employer, location, and authorization dates. Each new employer and CPT period requires its own authorization.
Is Day-1 CPT a legal gray area?
Day-1 CPT is legally permitted when a graduate program genuinely requires immediate practical training. Programs are at a greater risk when employment is optional, the training is not required for everyone in the program, academic supervision is weak, or the program appears to be primarily designed to allow students to continue working. CPT must still be directly related to the major, integral to the established curriculum, authorized in SEVIS by a DSO, and reflected on the student’s endorsed Form I-20 before work begins.
Can using CPT affect a future H-1B or green card application?
CPT that’s properly authorized does not prevent an applicant from later obtaining H-1B status or permanent residency in the U.S. USCIS or a consular office may examine whether the student has maintained F-1 status and whether the student’s previous employment was properly authorized. A key point to note: unauthorized employment by students could affect their eligibility for immigration applications and benefits in the future.
Are Day-1 CPT students receiving RFEs or additional scrutiny?
There have been prior reported instances of USCIS scrutinizing Day-1 CPT employment and verifying the student’s F-1 status. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not published Day-1-CPT-specific statistics for RFEs, denials, or secondary inspections. As a result, no verified government data shows whether Day-1 CPT students face more scrutiny than other applicants.
Should a student keep enrolling in new degrees for more H-1B attempts?
Pursuing another degree makes sense only when it serves your education or career goals. Repeated enrollment specifically to continue working through CPT can turn out to be counterproductive as it may further increase immigration risk and drive intense scrutiny.
Further, cap-exempt H-1B employment or other immigration options may also be available to the students, depending on the employer, role, and individual history. An immigration attorney can review your options, considering your immigration history and professional background.
Is international travel permissible while on Day-1 CPT?
It is permissible for an F-1 student to travel internationally, as long as they have an active SEVIS record, a valid passport and visa (unless visa exempt), and a properly endorsed Form I-20, and they meet general admission requirements for the United States. Having said that, admission to the United States is never guaranteed and is at the discretion of the CBP officer. It is advisable that students with travel plans speak with their DSO prior to travel.
Why are different schools taking different stances on CPT?
Programs might have different curricula, and each DSO is responsible for determining whether a particular CPT authorization satisfies federal requirements. Schools may also differ in their approach towards applying SEVP’s August guidance. Generally, a program has a stronger compliance structure when practical training is a pre-existing degree requirement for the students, related directly to the major, academically supervised, and supported by a genuine employer agreement.
Could a school lose its ability to enroll F-1 students over CPT?
Yes, SEVP reserves the right to withdraw a school’s certification for failure to comply with federal requirements. Affected F-1 students must follow the school-specific instructions and timeline in SEVP’s withdrawal or denial notice. Depending on the notice, students may need to transfer, change status, or depart the United States.
Will this new update be considered a major CPT change?
The August messages represent a significant new shift in SEVP’s stated oversight and interpretation of CPT. The underlying CPT regulation remains in effect. At present, DHS does not appear to have published a nationwide list of schools that have paused or restricted CPT. Therefore, claims about the exact number of affected schools remain unverified.
What should F-1 students using CPT do right now?
F-1 students must read their school’s latest CPT guidance and get in touch with their international student office if their authorization status is unclear. They must also keep copies of their CPT I-20s, academic requirements, employer agreements, and documentation that shows that their practical training aligns with their degree. A key aspect to be noted is that if the school is reviewing an F-1 student's authorization, their employment could be interrupted, or previous CPT history could affect a future immigration filing.
Conclusion
F-1 students must reach out to both their DSO for school procedures and a qualified U.S. immigration attorney for advice specific to their individual circumstances.
In the meantime, F-1 students must keep themselves updated about the specific CPT requirements, keep the documentation thorough, and ensure that the training aligns with the degree. At present, a range of factors, including degree programs, SEVIS records, employer agreements, and previous immigration filings, can affect a student's situation.
Get in touch with an immigration attorney instead of relying simply on vague guidance, employer claims, forums, or general speculations.
