Does 12-month standard OPT employment have to be full-time?
No. Students may work part-time (at least 20 hours per week) or full-time.Q: What’s the difference between 12-month standard OPT and Curricular Practical Training (CPT)?A: CPT permits employment before completion of required coursework, whereas 12-month standard OPT follows completion of studies. CPT requires the offer of a specific job, whereas OPT does not.Q: If I was authorized for CPT, am I still eligible for 12-month standard OPT?A: Yes, as long as you did not have full-time CPT for 12 months or more.Q: Can I take classes if I have 12-month standard OPT?A: Perhaps. If you have graduated and have 12-month standard OPT, regulations allow you to take classes informally, as long as you maintain your 12-month standard OPT employment. However, if you begin a new course of study in a higher degree level, this will automatically cancel your 12-month standard OPT authorization. Check with the school you will be attending, if not St. Thomas, to learn about the school’s policy concerning the
