International Students
The majority of international students attend Georgia Tech on F-1 Student Visas. International students not enrolled as "F-1 Students” who require additional information regarding work authorization issues are encouraged to contact the Georgia Tech Office of International Education (OIE).
CPT and OPT Work Authorization Requirements for F-1 Students:
International students holding F-1 visas are eligible to work legally in the United States under Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and/or Optional Practical Training (OPT) depending upon whether they are co-ops or interns. The Cooperative Education program meets the criteria of both CPT and OPT. Students in the Georgia Tech Internship program may work only under OPT work authorization and only during summer terms. International Georgia Tech Internship students are not eligible to take advantage of CPT work authorization.
Students must hold F-1 status for at least two semesters before they are eligible to work off-campus using either CPT or OPT.
International co-op students work with both a DoPP advisor and an Office of International Education (OIE) advisor prior to each work term to obtain CPT or OPT work authorization
GT Internship students should click on the link below to view the steps for obtaining OPT work authorization. Failure to do so will jeopardize a student's eligibility to continue living and working in the United States. Students will be given a permit for the GT Internship class only after they have obtained OPT work authorization for that term.
For information on working abroad as an international student, visit:
http://www.workabroad.gatech.edu/intl_student_info.php
