The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued a Broadcast Message on August 24, 2026 that provided all Designated School Officials (DSOs) with guidance regarding Curricular Practical Training (CPT) policy and clarified their earlier CPT guidance issued on August 12. These messages communicate a narrower interpretation of when CPT may be considered an “integral part” of an established curriculum. Among other points, SEVP is indicating that CPT should only be authorized when the practical training is required for all students and the degree or program cannot be completed without it.
International Student Services (ISS) is carefully reviewing our CPT policy in light of these messages. We are consulting the Attorney General’s office as well as UW leadership to assess its implications for our current CPT practices. We recognize that this new CPT guidance raises many questions for students and academic departments. We are working quickly to fully understand this new guidance and ensure F-1 student as well as the University’s institutional compliance with federal regulations and this new interpretation released through the SEVP guidance.
Effective immediately, ISS is pausing authorization of any new CPT requests that are not required work experiences for all students in an academic degree program. Although students may continue to submit CPT requests through the MyISSS portal, ISS will not issue new optional CPT authorizations until the review is complete.
Students who already have authorized CPT should continue to follow the employer, location, dates, and other conditions listed on their current Form I-20. Please contact ISS before making any changes to your authorized training experience.
ISS understands the uncertainty and frustration this temporary pause may cause. We will provide another update as soon as we complete our review of the new guidance. Please continue to monitor the ISS website and university email for updates.