As previously reported, 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) and clarified their earlier CPT guidance sent to DSOs on August 12. After consultation with UW leadership as well as the Attorney General’s office, International Student Services (ISS) will continue to pause CPT approvals that are not required for all students participating in an established curriculum in the student’s primary program of study.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a benefit of F-1 status prior to graduation that allows an international student to participate in alternative work/study programs, internships, or cooperative education programs that are considered an integral part of the student’s educational program. Historically, CPT has been authorized for practical training experiences that were either required to earn the degree or were integral to a student’s studies and required the student to register for a course in their department to receive credit for the training. Through these two broadcast messages, DHS-SEVP has communicated a stricter interpretation that CPT can only be authorized when the training is required for all students participating in an established curriculum, regardless of citizenship. This federal guidance states that CPT may not be authorized for elective courses.
In accordance with this new guidance, and until further legal analysis occurs, ISS will not be able to authorize CPT unless the training is required for all students enrolled in an established curriculum in the student’s primary program of study. All pending CPT requests for autumn quarter that are not required will be dismissed. New CPT requests submitted to ISS will need an academic adviser in the degree program to attest that participation in practical training is required for all students enrolled in the established curriculum as outlined in the degree program requirements for a student’s primary program of study. ISS needs time to update our CPT request form to collect additional information and ensure the required training meets the updated SEVP guidance.
We recognize and understand how valuable hands-on, experiential learning opportunities are to a student’s academic journey, but we also want to help protect the lawful status of F-1 students at the UW as well as any future benefit opportunities. We know these changes may affect both students and academic programs. We are implementing these changes based on current DHS-SEVP guidance and will continue to evaluate our practices as additional federal guidance becomes available. We appreciate your patience and partnership as we continue to monitor additional information and seek further analysis.
ISS will host a CPT Q&A session for F-1 students on Friday, September 11 from 2-3 pm and will be joined by Dr. Ahmad Ezzeddine, Vice Provost for Global Affairs. Complete the registration to join the online session. If you have additional questions or concerns about your CPT, Email ISS or Meet with an ISS Advisor.