CPT to OPT Transition: A Bangladeshi Student’s Career Timeline
Planning your work timeline in the U.S. can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to understand the difference between CPT and OPT for the first time. This article maps your path from curricular practical training (CPT) to optional practical training (OPT), step by step, with tips shaped by common questions from Bangladeshi students.
What CPT is and when you can use it
CPT lets you work in a role that’s part of your academic program while you’re still enrolled. CPT for international students can be part time during the term or full time during breaks if your university allows it. Before you start any CPT position, your Designated School Official (DSO) must authorize it in SEVIS and issue a new Form I-20. You can’t backdate CPT or begin work before the start date listed on your I-20, so timing is critical.
Key points that protect your future OPT:
- Keep full-time CPT under 12 months at the same degree level, since exceeding this will make you ineligible for postcompletion OPT.
- art-time CPT of any amount doesn’t reduce OPT, which gives you more flexibility during the academic year.
- Tie your CPT job to your degree. Be ready to show the link using course descriptions, a faculty note or your program’s internship rules.
What OPT is and how it extends your timeline
Optional practical training is temporary work authorization that’s directly related to your major. You can receive up to 12 months in total, and you have the option to use it before graduation (called pre-completion OPT) or after graduation (called postcompletion OPT). Keep in mind that any precompletion months will reduce your postcompletion total.
If your degree is in a STEM field, you may request a 24-month STEM OPT extension after your initial 12 months. That can bring you to as many as 36 months of work authorization for international students. STEM OPT does require an eligible employer, the I-983 training plan and regular reporting to maintain your status.
During postcompletion OPT, the government allows a limited number of unemployment days. You’ll want to track your time carefully, keep your employer details current in SEVIS and save proof that your work relates to your major in case questions arise later.
Your semester-by-semester timeline
Before you arrive in the U.S.
- Read your university’s CPT policy. Rules vary on when CPT can start and whether academic credit is required.
- Prepare core documents employers expect: a one-page resume, short cover letters and a clean LinkedIn profile with your target skills listed in plain English.
- If you plan to fund studies with a no cosigner loan, gather clear documents for your visa interview. A lawful education loan is a common way to show ability to pay. Your goal is to match your funding to the costs on your I-20 and explain the plan clearly.
First semester
- Focus on classes, English practice and campus networking. Many programs require one academic year of full-time enrollment before CPT. Some programs allow earlier training if the curriculum requires it. Ask your Designated School Official about your case.
- Join your department’s seminars and lab talks. For many Bangladeshi students in STEM, a professor connection can lead to research roles or strong referrals.
Second semester
- Start applying for summer roles that could qualify for CPT. Look for postings that mention internship credit, cooperative education or integration with coursework.
- Confirm CPT steps with your Designated School Official: a job offer letter, proof the role is tied to your course and the exact CPT dates to place on your I-20. CPT must be authorized with the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) before you begin work.
Summer after the first year
- Work on CPT. Follow the exact dates and stay with the employer listed on your I-20. Keep your offer letter, pay stubs and job description. These help with future filings.
- If you work full time, track your total months. Do not reach 12 months of full-time CPT at this degree level or you will lose postcompletion OPT eligibility.
Fall of the second year
- Continue part-time CPT if allowed during the term, or return to on-campus research if CPT is not practical.
- Plan your OPT filing. You may apply for postcompletion OPT as early as 90 days before your program end date and no later than 60 days afterward. Your Designated School Official will issue an OPT I-20. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must receive your I-765 within the window. Start early to avoid delays.
Final semester
- Choose your OPT start date. An earlier date helps you begin work soon after graduation. A later date gives you more job-search time, but you must manage unemployment day limits.
- After you file, wait for your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) before you start working on OPT. Keep your address and employer information updated per university and federal guidance.
After graduation on OPT
- Work in a role related to your major. Keep proof of the link, such as a job description and a short note explaining how your duties match your degree.
- Watch your unemployment days and maintain records of hours and projects. If you face a gap, consider short-term projects or internships related to your field to stay in status.
- If eligible, prepare the 24-month STEM OPT extension. You can file up to 90 days before your initial OPT EAD expires. If you file on time, you may keep working for a set period while the case is pending.
H-1B cap-gap note
If your employer files an eligible H-1B petition while you’re on OPT, you may receive a cap-gap extension that bridges your status to the October 1 H-1B start date. Your Designated School Official can guide you on the required records and timing to ensure you maintain lawful status during this transition.
How MPOWER Financing fits your plan
MPOWER Financing serves international and DACA students who need a no-cosigner education loan and practical career support. Funds can be used for approved education costs such as tuition, fees and living expenses at eligible U.S. universities. For Canadian universities, loan funds cover tuition and university-invoiced fees only. MPOWER also offers Path2Success career resources that help you polish resumes, practice interviews and search for internships and jobs that align with CPT, OPT and STEM OPT timelines. Fixed rates and no penalties for early repayment support simple budgeting across your degree.
If you want one partner for funding and planning, check your university’s eligibility, estimate what you need for the full program and review the free visa support materials and letters that can help at key steps.
Bangladesh-specific tips you can use right away
- Keep it simple for employers. Many hiring teams won’t know your grading system or recognize prior job titles from Bangladesh. Translate your achievements into clear terms that show numbers, tools and outcomes in one or two lines.
- Plan for living costs. The cost difference between Dhaka and U.S. cities is significant. Build a realistic monthly budget that includes rent, food, transit, health insurance and taxes. Expect higher deposits for housing and a delay before your first paycheck arrives when you start a new role.
- Address the visa worry early. A common fear among Bangladeshi students is that taking a loan will hurt their visa application. What visa officers actually look for is credible proof that you can fund your studies. If your loan is approved, bring the approval letter, disbursement details and a simple summary of how it covers your I-20 costs. Practice explaining this in clear English before your interview.
- Use campus help. Your international student office is your best guide for CPT and OPT procedures. Career services can review your resume, run mock interviews and connect you with alumni from Bangladesh who now work in your target field.
- Build English confidence daily. Speak up in class, join study groups and volunteer to present whenever possible. Many job offers happen after a candidate handles a technical question and follow-up in simple, direct English.
- Search smarter, not only more. Target roles that match your specific coursework and projects. For example, if you built a data pipeline in a cloud computing class, seek data engineering internships that mention the same technology stack. Aligning your skills with employer needs cuts your interview time significantly.
- Document everything. Save every I-20, receipt, pay stub, W-2 or 1099 and USCIS notice in one organized cloud folder. Label files with dates so you can find them quickly. This documentation speeds up STEM OPT applications and any future immigration petitions.
