Day 1 CPT Colleges - Legit or not ?
Need opinion from all the smart people out here specially if you are/were on F1 Visa. I have had 3 failed attempts to get my H1 picked up in the Lottery. My STEM OPT expires soon and a lot of my friends (even those whose H1 got picked this year ) are applying for Day 1 CPT college as a backup option. I have done my own research and found out this link which clearly says in Lesson 4 “ F-1 students must be enrolled for one academic year before they are eligible for CPT. There is an exception to this requirement — graduate students whose programs require immediate participation in CPT.” So these colleges come under exception and show the CPT as integral part of the curriculum and give you 3-4 credits as well. I feel like it’s a gray area and haven’t found anything on the internet which says it’s illegal. Any thoughts/comments ? URL: https://www.ice.gov/exec/sevp/Module4.htm
Companies will not hire you to work as full time employee on CPT, unless you work through a body shop.
Intel and Qualcomm hires as far as I know some personally
But still it’s not illegal right ? Whether a company will hire or not it’s secondary
Ask a lawyer what’s legal or not. To me it’s almost borderline, we send people abroad and apply for L1 after a year and bring them back. Having a shady college on your record can haunt you in future with GC. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/phony-university-founder-behind-fraudulent-visas-16-years-article-1.1999679
Thanks ! You are right ! I called 3 lawyers on Avvo.com & they said the generic thing if DSO approves it and it’s part of your curriculum then you can take CPT anytime.I also found one more URL which clearly says CPT in 1st semester can be authorized so it’s kind of gray area and I don’t have any other option honestly that’s why I posted here if anyone specifically knows it’s illegal. I’m willing to take the risk if no one is sure about this since I don’t have any other option as of now. https://www.ice.gov/sevis/practical-training
Read immigration girl. So it is legal by default, however, there was a clarification issued which basically makes it illegal now or make it much worse for h1b. http://immigrationgirl.com/new-interpretation-of-cpt-curricular-practical-training-for-f-1-students/
What did you end up doing? I'm in the same boat as you were a year ago.
What did you end up doing? Did the cpt approach work-out?
Update here with you plan.. in the same boat..
I’m in the same situation as well right now.
Bump! Same scenario, any update would be appreciated
I heard Intel supports this idea though. Is that not the case?
They do as long as the work is related to the field of study. It still is a little gray though...
I heard there is a new rule coming up from August on this. Day 1 CPT will be illegal. This is not to scare you.
Thanks for the update ! Ye I heard about that as well but they cannot penalize someone retrospectively. If we get something concrete like it straight up says CPT is illegal then of course I’ll drop out along with plenty other students.