On Nov. 11, Brown’s International Student and Scholar Services notified F-1 students in an email that the University will no longer issue Curricular Practical Training authorizations for undergraduate students.
CPT, a work authorization granted under students’ F-1 status, allows international students to complete internships and other work activities in the United States. Undergraduate students seeking to work off-campus during their time at Brown must instead apply for pre-completion Optional Practical Training.
Unlike CPT, which was approved by the University, OPT requires an application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that costs $470 and takes four to six months to process, according to the email. Time students spend on OPT before graduating also counts against the one year of OPT allowed per degree level.
In August, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program — part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — released a broadcast message to universities outlining SEVP’s refined interpretation of CPT eligibility.
SEVP warned universities that these authorizations are only to be granted if the practical training experience is required for students to complete their degree. The message added that noncompliance could impact an institution’s ability to enroll international students.
Following this announcement, ISSS halted the approval of CPT requests unless they met these requirements and initiated a review period to consider updates to the University’s guidelines.
The resulting policy, released on Nov. 9, established that CPT authorizations for undergraduate students are “indefinitely suspended” as internship experience is not a graduation requirement for undergraduates at Brown.
Students enrolled in the six master’s degree programs that require internship or practicum experience will remain eligible to receive CPT authorization, but all other master’s students will not.
“We recognize that these federal interpretations may impact individual academic plans differently,” the ISSS announcement reads. “ISSS advisors are available to discuss your specific program requirements, explore practical training options, and assist with any questions.”
Director of ISSS Andrew Shiotani wrote in an email to The Herald that the ISSS is “actively working and advising students” on additional employment authorizations such as internships with international organizations, as well as “programs and opportunities that may not require practical training authorization.”
“Our advisors have been meeting with students regularly since the August 2026 messages, and are continuing to support them through these developments,” he wrote.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Zarina Hamilton is a university news editor covering activism and affinity & identity. She is junior from near Baltimore, Maryland and is studying mechanical engineering. In her free time, you can find her reading, journaling, or doing the NYT mini crossword.
