Does there have to be a Gap?

In many cases, you will have a gap in employment when you transfer from OPT to CPT. However, in some cases this gap can be minimized or avoided.

When you switch from OPT to CPT, you will be initiating a SEVIS transfer between your old institution and your new one. As soon as your SEVIS is transferred from your old institution, your OPT will be terminated immediately. While your SEVIS is inactive, you cannot work for pay. To begin working again, you must wait for your new Day 1 CPT university to accept your SEVIS and issue a new I-20, which will allow you to apply for CPT authorization from them.

Day 1 CPT universities will then assess your eligibility for CPT based on the documents you submitted after you got your new I-20. If all requirements are met, they will issue a new I-20 with CPT and an authorized start date for work. You can resume working based on the start date indicated on this new I-20.

This SEVIS transfer process usually result in a three day to two week gap between your previous OPT and your new Day 1 CPT, even if you expedite this process. 

Day 1 CPT Pre-Approval

Recognizing that bureaucratic procedures can potentially cause students to lose job or internship opportunities, some Day 1 CPT universities have adapted. These universities permit students to initiate the CPT application process before the SEVIS transfer. Thus, upon receiving an offer from these Day 1 CPT universities, you should inform your old school to schedule a SEVIS transfer and simultaneously submit your CPT application to your new Day 1 CPT university. While awaiting the release of your SEVIS by the old school, the DSO at your new Day 1 CPT university will review and provisionally approve your CPT application by entering all related information into their system as a draft.

Once the SEVIS transfer is finalized, instead of issuing a standard I-20 as many traditional universities do, they will activate the draft information, providing you directly with an I-20 that includes CPT authorization, thereby bypassing several intermediate steps. If necessary, they can later issue an original I-20 without CPT to you as well.

This process of CPT pre-approval saves time for students. With careful planning of the SEVIS transfer date, there will be no gap between their previous OPT and their new Day 1 CPT.

Is this process legitimate?

CPT pre-approval is totally legitimate and legal!

Even with CPT pre-approval, you are still only authorized to work based on the "start date" on your CPT I-20, not a single day before. 

The only difference is that staff at these Day 1 CPT universities choose to adapt to your timeline and prepare all necessary documents ahead of time. Some of them even work during weekends, just to make sure their students can get their documents processed on time. The staff will still be reviewing your documents and eligibility, just on an faster timeline. You still have to meet all criteria before they will issue you the official CPT I-20. 

If you are want guidance on planning your time, fill out the form below to schedule a free session with our consultant. Get a personalized Day 1 CPT universities list,  and let our consultants find the best option for you.