Video | 3 Golden Rules of Choosing reliable Day 1 CPT Programs

a. Status Change Risk

Usually Day 1 CPT does not impact the approval of an H1b visa. If an international students’ h1b was selected, USCIS may request extra evidence (which is called RFE) to prove that student has been maintaining legal status while working with Day 1 CPT. This is why students should only work with a valid CPT status. 

However, most of the accredited universities will assist students with the issue.

b. F1 visa renewal risks

Although the Day 1 CPT program is established under the framework of US immigrations laws and regulations, which is legal and compliant, it could not grant a student to work excessively in terms of time. If the student works excessively, the visa officer may believe that the student's intention to enter the US is to maintain a job or to find a new job while renewing F-1 visa. In this case, it is generally recommended to apply for the H1b visa and then leave the US. If the F-1 visa has already expired and the students is required to obtain a visa outside the US, it is important to contact the school advisor or immigration lawyers in advance to prepare all the necessary visa materials and questions from the visa officer.

c. How to avoid the risk of Day 1 CPT:

It is recommended to choose well-known schools with long history that have national and regional accreditations. Try not choose schools that are recently established or are not accredited nationally and regionally. In the US, it is more difficult for schools to be accredited regionally than nationally. For example, WASC accreditation is the highest level of accreditation for west coast schools.

Besides, students should follow the regulation of the university and take responsibility for being a F1 student (Such as GPA maintenance, onsite course attendance and finishing their assignments).

Day 1 CPT: https://day1cptuniversities.com/day-1-cpt