International students’ eligibility for internships, clinical experiences, and other forms of practical training has been restricted following a change in guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) earlier this semester.
The URochester International Services Office (ISO) announced that these new restrictions will affect international students with F-1 status who are waiting for approval for their Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
According to an email from the University’s Office for Global Engagement, the SEVP’s new guidance has resulted in the following:
1. CPT authorization will now be granted only for practical training required for all students enrolled in a program to earn their degree. Internships and other experiential learning associated with elective courses or academic credit no longer qualify for CPT authorization.
2. The University’s Office for Global Engagement is carefully reviewing the new guidance and working with University leadership and academic programs to assess its implications for students and degree programs.
3. For the duration of this review, ISO is pausing approval of new CPT applications, except for requests associated with practical training required for completion of a degree program.
4. If a student’s CPT has already been approved for their Fall 2026 semester internships or training experiences, they may continue under the terms of that authorization unless ISO contacts them with different guidance.
The email also emphasized that students should not begin off-campus employment or any activity requiring CPT authorization unless they have received approval from ISO.
Sandra Pittenger, Assistant Director for Student and Scholar Advising Services at ISO, responded to students’ questions seeking clarification on the University’s stance towards the new guidance and the options currently available to international students at URochester.
“The change to CPT stems from the government’s new interpretation of the term ‘integral to the curriculum,'” Pittenger said. “Previously, this was interpreted more broadly.”
While only a handful of requests submitted to ISO were directly affected at the time of the initial authorization pause, Pittenger explained that the full extent of the changes may be difficult to quantify for the time being.
“ISO is the final step in the CPT authorization process and does not make the initial eligibility determination,” Pittenger explained. “This is a widespread change, and even if someone was not directly impacted at the time of the initial pause, they may be impacted going forward.”
Students who no longer qualify for CPT have a few potential alternatives. Pittenger identified pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), another form of employment authorization for eligible F-1 students, as one option, though eligibility and timing may vary depending on individual circumstances.
Pittenger confirmed that the regulations and guidelines governing pre-completion OPT remain unchanged. She also emphasized the importance of appointments, drop-in advising, and consultations with academic advisors and ISO as resources for students seeking to better understand their options.
Looking ahead to Spring and Summer 2027, Pittenger recommended that students begin planning their internships early, determine whether practical training is required for their degrees, and consult ISO regarding employment authorization.
“Federal immigration policies and guidance can change, so we can’t predict with complete certainty what requirements might be in place by next year or even next semester,” Pittenger said. “ISO will continue to monitor federal guidance and keep the University community updated on any changes as they happen.”
Sophomore Ahmed Adhmed, Students’ Association Government (SA) senator and chair of the International Student Affairs Committee (ISAC), has also expressed plans to support international students through these changes.
ISAC is currently encouraging students to share their concerns and feedback through a form posted on the SA Government’s Instagram page. Additionally, the committee hopes to “communicate more information for student-led organizations” representing “diverse and international backgrounds,” as well as share updates from ISO in future Campus Times articles.
