April 17, 2023

We’ve received recent word from UW International Student Services (ISS) about a recent major change in USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration) rules for CPT (Curricular Practical Training), that will affect undergrad and graduate students pursuing internships for Summer 2023 and beyond:
  • Fully remote internships are no longer supported for international students, starting June 1, 2023
  • There is no official guidance on hybrid positions (see more details on that item below)
  • It is currently unclear if students in Spring 2023 remote internships that end after June 1, 2023, will be affected by this rule change; once we know more information we will let you all know.
Needless to say, this is a major change that will affect hundreds of students across the college.  Many students secured internships in good faith as early as November 2022, and now their plans must change.  To support students, COE’s Career Center has come up with the following guidelines:
  1. Domestic students are unaffected by this change.
  2. International students pursuing in-person internships are unaffected by this change
  3. International students working a Hybrid job that is at least 40% in-person (e.g., 2 working days out of 5) can still pursue their internship with CPT
    1. This is CC@E’s current guideline pending official word from USCIS about hybrid roles
    2. if a student is working part-time or has a complex schedule, they should reach out to engrint@uw.edu for guidance
  4. International students working a remote-only internship will need to change their plans:
    1. they should contact their employer immediately to see if an in-person job is available
    2. if an in-person job is not available, a hybrid role 40% or more in-person is also acceptable

Update: 

I’ve heard updated information from ISS about Summer 2023 internship for students:
  • Summer 2023 will likely be “no change” from current policy / guidelines
  • So remote internships should be A-OK for all of our students
  • Barring the US government making some kind of official change / policy (unlikely), any change to guidance will take effect in Autumn 2023
  • ISS is going to make a statement on their website next week as well, with updated information
I will send a broadcast email to students later today saying “official news will come soon, but likely remote internships are ok for Summer 2023”.  Feel free to re-assure students you are interacting with in the meantime.