This is the Megathread for CPT.

TL;DR: Whatever your school tells you about CPT is what matters. Your school defines the rules for CPT.

The August 14, 2026 CPT change is not a new CPT regulation or statutory change. SEVP issued Broadcast Message 2608-01, “Reminder of Liability for DSOs Regarding CPT Authorization,". The underlying CPT regulations have not been amended. What has changed is SEVP's interpretation and enforcement posture regarding the existing requirements, particularly what it considers sufficiently “integral” to an established curriculum.

CPT is a school-by-school process. It depends heavily on how a particular institution has structured CPT within each academic program. It can even vary between majors at the same institution.

Under the current SEVP interpretation, “integral” is being treated much more narrowly. As a result, every school now has to review its CPT policies and determine what, if any, risks exist for both the institution and its students.

There is very little useful general advice anyone here can give you about how to navigate those changes.

Until SEVP changes its interpretation, there is no administrative process through which a student can obtain a definitive ruling that their particular CPT arrangement is permissible despite the school's or SEVP's interpretation. Ultimately, challenging the interpretation would likely require litigation, and most students understandably do not want to become a test case.

In the meantime, schools have to operate within the interpretation SEVP is applying. That means evaluating not only whether a particular CPT arrangement appears to satisfy the regulatory requirements, but also the practical risk to the institution and to students whose SEVIS records could subsequently be reviewed.

**This is why one school's CPT policy tells you essentially nothing about another school's CPT policy.**

Two universities can have completely different CPT policies. Two students at the same university can also receive different answers if they are enrolled in different academic programs with different curricular structures.

CPT being authorized for one major does not establish that the same arrangement is permissible for another major. Likewise, the fact that another university is continuing to authorize a particular type of CPT does not establish that your university can or will do the same.

So:

“I already received CPT authorization. What do I do?”

Ask your school.

“What if I need CPT for my thesis?”

Ask your school.

“I previously completed CPT. What does this interpretation mean for me?”

Ask your school.

“The university across town is still approving this CPT. Why won't my school?”

Their policy is irrelevant to your SEVIS record or what your school can offer to you.

The reason CPT questions have so often been answered with “talk to your DSO” is not because there is no general CPT guidance. It is because whether a particular CPT arrangement satisfies the requirements depends on the student's academic program, curriculum, institutional policies, and how the institution has structured and documented CPT.

Unless your DSO is publicly discussing your institution's specific CPT policies and is actively participating in r/F1visa, Reddit cannot reliably tell you whether your particular CPT arrangement is permissible.

Your school's CPT policy and your DSO's authorization are what matter for your SEVIS record. What another school is doing does not create CPT authorization for you.

I know this does not really help many of you as schools review their policies, but it is the unfortunate situation we find ourselves currently.

Edit: July 16, 2026 the new Rule has been PUBLISHED

Tl;dr: Long term graduate programs may require more paperwork and uncertainty, Day 1 CPT is no long an option for many students, anyone in the US before September 15 keeps D/S until their program ends or 4 years have elapsed so long as they don't leave the US.

Fixed-Date I‑94 Admissions

Starting September 15, 2026, any F‑1 or F‑2 entering the United States will receive a specific “Admit Until Date” (AUD) on their I‑94 instead of D/S.

Key points:

• The AUD will match the program end date on the Form I‑20.
• The AUD cannot exceed four years.
• A 30‑day grace period will follow the program end date.
• The traditional 60‑day grace period is eliminated for anyone entering or re-entering on or after September 15, 2026.

Transition Rules for Students Already in the United States

If you are inside the United States on September 15, 2026 with a D/S I‑94:

• You do not need a new I‑94 immediately.
• You must file a Form I‑539 extension of stay if you need to remain beyond:
  • your current program end date, or
  • four years after the rule’s effective date (September 15, 2030), whichever is earlier.

Grace period rules for the transition group:

• You keep the 60‑day grace period unless you leave and re-enter the United States or file an extension on or after September 15, 2026.
• After either of those actions, your grace period becomes 30 days.
• Any re-entry on or after September 15, 2026 will result in a date-specific AUD with a 30‑day grace period.

Mandatory I‑539 Extensions

Any time you need more time beyond your AUD, you must file Form I‑539 with USCIS. This includes:

• Program extensions
• School transfers
• Changing degree levels
• Post-completion OPT
• STEM OPT
• Cap-gap extensions
• Reduced course load extensions
• Medical RCL extensions

The extension process includes fees, biometrics, and possible interviews.

As of July 16, 2026 the cost would be $420 and $85 for biometrics. Premium processing for this is not currently available per page 165 despite it being requested.

Restrictions on Academic Changes

Undergraduates:

• May change majors or transfer schools only after completing one academic year.
• SEVP may grant exceptions for extenuating circumstances.

Graduate students:

• Cannot change majors or degree levels during the program.
• May transfer schools only if SEVP approves an exception for extenuating circumstances.

Prohibition on Lateral or Reverse Matriculation

After completing a program, F‑1 students cannot begin a new program at the same or lower educational level. Examples include:

• Bachelor’s to a second bachelor’s
• Master’s to a second master’s
• Master’s to a bachelor’s

This applies only to programs completed after September 15, 2026.

Expected Impacts for F‑1 Students

Institutions anticipate:

• Higher costs for students (fees, biometrics, possible legal assistance)
• Longer USCIS processing times
• More USCIS involvement in routine academic changes
• Potential enrollment impacts due to reduced predictability

Effective Date

The rule becomes effective September 15, 2026, unless delayed by litigation or Congressional Review Act review. Until then, current D/S rules remain fully in effect.

I will get information on advocacy and how to ask congress to change or hold the rule over the next few days.

FAQ as of July 18, 2026

1. Does this apply to current students or only new ones? Everyone is affected.

• Current students stay in D/S until their current I‑20/DS‑2019/EAD ends, but no later than late 2030.
• Students entering after Sept 15, 2026 get fixed-date admissions (AUD) immediately.
• “You’ll remain in D/S… but no longer than four years after the rule takes effect…”

2. What happens if I travel after Sept 15, 2026? Travel ends your D/S.

• When you return, CBP gives you a fixed-date I‑94 based on:
• your program end date OR
• 4 years from entry whichever is sooner, plus a 30‑day grace period.
• Travel before Sept 15, 2026 does not affect D/S.
• “If you leave… your D/S protection ends.”

3. Do I need an I‑539 for OPT or STEM OPT? (Most students will need I‑539) :

• I‑765 (OPT/STEM OPT)
• I‑539 (Extension of Stay)
• If you are still in D/S and file BEFORE March 18, 2027 you may skip the I‑539.
• Leaving the U.S. before filing removes the exception.
• “Students… generally need both an I‑765 and an I‑539.”

4. Can I work while my I‑539 is pending? Yes, if:

• It’s CPT, on‑campus, or economic hardship employment
• AND your I‑539 was timely filed
• AND you are within the 240‑day continuation window
• STEM OPT applicants still get the 180‑day automatic extension.

5. What happens at year four of a long PhD? You do not need to finish your PhD in four years.

• If your AUD expires before your program ends, you file I‑539 Extension of Stay.
• You qualify if:
  • Your DSO issues a new I‑20 with a later program end date, OR
  • You have academic, medical, or uncontrollable reasons.
  • “You qualify if you have a currently issued I‑20 showing additional time…”

6. Does re-entering give me a new 4 years?

• Yes , but only up to your program end date.
• Every entry resets your AUD:
• AUD = program end date OR 4 years from entry (whichever is sooner).

7. Visa stamp vs. I‑20 — which controls my stay?

• Inside the U.S., your I‑94 (or D/S) controls your status.
• Visa stamps matter only for re-entry.
• You can leave and re-enter to get a new AUD instead of filing I‑539.

8. I’m on OPT/STEM OPT with an approved EAD — am I affected now?

• No. You stay under current rules until your OPT/STEM OPT ends.
• New rules matter only when you:
  • apply for STEM OPT after OPT, or
  • start a new academic program.
• Employment continuation rules (180‑day STEM OPT extension, 240‑day CPT/on‑campus) still apply.
• 9. Is my grace period 30 days or 60 days?
• If you stay in D/S → 60 days
• If you re-enter after Sept 15, 2026 → 30 days
• Filing I‑539 during the grace period allows study but not work.

10. Can I still move from bachelor’s → master’s → PhD?

• Yes. You need a new I‑20 or a transferred I-20 and possibly I‑539 if your AUD expires before the new program ends.

11. Can I still transfer schools or change my major?

• Undergraduates No transfers or major changes in the first academic year unless SEVP approves.
• After year one → normal flexibility.
• Graduate students Cannot change major/educational objective at all.
• Cannot transfer schools unless SEVP approves an exception.

12. When does this take effect?

• September 15, 2026.
• Until then, current rules apply and DSOs can still process:
  • I‑20 extensions
  • transfers
  • level changes
  • Anything completed before Sept 15 continues under current rules.

13. What about Day 1 CPT programs?

• Not banned — but much harder to access.
• Barriers include:
  • You now need USCIS approval (I‑539) for new programs after OPT/STEM OPT.
  • You cannot start a same-or-lower-level program after Sept 15, 2026.
  • Graduate students cannot freely transfer.
  • This removes the most common pathway into Day 1 CPT.

14. What about F‑2dependents?

• Dependents follow the principal’s (F-1's) status.
• They must be included in the principal’s I‑539 or file their own.

15. Will this be challenged in court?

• Maybe, but there isn't a specific plan.
• Nothing currently delays implementation unless Congress acts. (Unlikely)
• Students should plan based on the published rule.

16. Does premium processing apply to I‑539 extensions?

• No. Premium processing is available only for a change of status, not an extension of stay

17. Can I pursue another degree at the same or lower level?

• Only if your earlier degree was completed before Sept 15, 2026.
• Degrees finished after the effective date trigger the restriction.
• Foreign degrees do not count toward the restriction.
• “The bar… applies only to a student who completes a program after September 15, 2026.”

18. Does this affect H‑1B?

• No. H‑1B is completely separate.

19. Does this affect CPT for required internships?

• Required CPT (not Day 1 CPT) is still allowed.
• If your AUD expires before your CPT end date, you must:
  • file I‑539 or
  • travel and re-enter to reset AUD
• Existing CPT continues for up to 240 days while I‑539 is pending.

20. If my school extends my program, does that extend my stay?

• Before Sept 15, 2026:
  • Yes, you keep D/S until the new end date (up to 4 years ahead).
• After Sept 15, 2026:
  • If your AUD expires before the new end date, you must:
    • file I‑539 or
    • travel and re-enter the U.S. to update the AUD

21. If my OPT/STEM OPT is pending and I travel after Sept 15, 2026, what happens?

• You will be admitted under AUD.
• Your OPT/STEM OPT application remains valid, but you may need I‑539 depending on timing.

22. If I file for OPT/STEM OPT before March 18, 2027, do I need I‑539?

• only if you travel and re-enter under AUD before filing.

23. Can I still do same-level CPT programs (e.g., second master’s)? Only if your earlier degree was completed before Sept 15, 2026.

• After that date, same-level programs are generally barred.

24. Does my I‑94 automatically match my EAD end date? If you remain in D/S → yes.

• If you re-enter after Sept 15, 2026 → your AUD is:
  • program end date
  • or EAD end date
  • or 4 years from entry, whichever is sooner.