Archive · 20 Aug 2026
SEVP CPT Warning Raises Status Risks for Indian Students
The United States lets some international students work as part of their studies through a program called CPT.
The government says CPT must be connected to a real academic program.
It warned colleges that approving jobs mainly to give students work permission could cause problems.
An attorney said the warning does not create a new rule by itself.
However, schools may now check CPT applications much more carefully.
If a school loses its approval to enroll international students, those students may have to move their records to another school.
Students working through CPT or OPT could lose that work permission when the transfer happens.
Students are being advised to keep written proof of their courses, internships and school decisions.
SEVP warned colleges that Curricular Practical Training must be a genuine part of an academic program, not simply a route to employment.
Immigration attorney Rajiv S. Khanna said the August 12 broadcast did not change existing CPT rules but signaled tougher enforcement.
The scrutiny appears especially focused on elective course-credit arrangements where students obtain jobs before seeking academic approval.
If a university loses SEVP certification, students may need to transfer their SEVIS records, potentially losing CPT or OPT authorization when the transfer takes effect.
The warning comes amid broader scrutiny of OPT, H-1B selection and the upcoming end of duration-of-status rules for certain visa holders.
- Who
- The Student and Exchange Visitor Program, U.S. colleges and universities, international students—particularly Indian students—and immigration attorney Rajiv S. Khanna.
- What
- SEVP issued a warning about improper Curricular Practical Training approvals and signaled increased compliance scrutiny.
- When
- The broadcast message was sent on August 12; additional changes mentioned in the article take effect on September 15 and beginning with FY2027.
- Where
- At U.S. colleges and universities and within the United States immigration system.
- Why
- SEVP said it has seen more CPT approvals that may not satisfy existing requirements and wants CPT to remain academically connected rather than serve only as a job-authorization route.
SEVP compliance position
Attorney and student-risk perspective
Whether CPT practices need stronger enforcement
SEVP compliance position
SEVP says it has seen an increase in CPT approvals that do not meet existing requirements and warned schools and officials of investigations and possible consequences.
Attorney and student-risk perspective
Khanna said the underlying rules have not changed, but the warning's tone, fraud reporting channel and references to penalties indicate substantially tougher enforcement.
Which CPT arrangements are most vulnerable
SEVP compliance position
SEVP says CPT must be an integral, genuine part of an academic program rather than simply a way to obtain a job.
Attorney and student-risk perspective
Khanna distinguished clearly curriculum-based training from elective course-credit models, saying the latter appears to be the main target and could expose students to problems caused by university decisions.
Consequences of school certification loss
SEVP compliance position
Students at a school that loses certification are formally given options, generally including transferring their SEVIS records to another certified school.
Attorney and student-risk perspective
Khanna warned that students on CPT or OPT can immediately lose work authorization when the transfer takes effect, making an institutional action a personal immigration emergency.
- Broadcast message
- SEVP sent BCM 2608-01 to Designated School Officials on August 12.
- Legal status
- The attorney said the message is not itself a new rule or final action.
- Main concern
- CPT must be a genuine part of a student's academic program.
- Targeted model
- SEVP's warning appears particularly relevant to elective course-credit arrangements that follow a student's job offer.
- Certification risk
- Schools found misusing CPT could face investigations or lose SEVP certification.
- Student impact
- A SEVIS transfer can end CPT or OPT work authorization tied to the previous school.
- Broader changes
- The article also cites increased OPT scrutiny, a wage-weighted H-1B selection system beginning with FY2027, and an end to duration of status on September 15.