Published: Dec. 18, 2023

On-Campus Presence Requirement

U.S. immigration rules require international students on F-1 and J-1 student visas to take a specific number of in-person credits that require their physical presence.  If the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) learns that a student has been attending in-person courses remotely, it could jeopardize the student's immigration status. 

To fulfill the visa requirement for on-campus presence, if an international student registers for a course designated as In Person or Hybrid In Person and Online and/or Remote (HY), they must physically attend the in-person sessions. It is not permissible for international students to attend remote options of courses when they are registered for the in-person sections.  

ISSS CPT Policy

To ensure CU Boulder’s compliance with F-1 federal regulations regarding on-campus presence, International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will only authorize CPT for an out-of-state employer during the academic year (fall and spring) if the student will be working remotely from their local Colorado address for the entire training. This policy applies to the summer session if summer is the student’s last required term to complete their degree requirements.  

ISSS will require a letter from the employer for any CPT authorization with an out-of-state employer during the Fall and Spring semesters and for summer session when it is the student’s final term. The letter must explicitly state that the student will be working remotely from Colorado. Additionally, ISSS will require an attestation from the student confirming that they will reside continually in Boulder to attend their in-person classes during the internship. 

In limited instances, Ph.D. students in dissertation stage, master's students working on a thesis, or students with full-time practicums required for their degree that have completed all their required coursework may be eligible for CPT for internships outside of Colorado.

If you have any questions about the on-campus presence requirement for international students or this CPT policy, contact ISSS. We encourage you to reach out with specific questions or scenarios for clarification.