F-1 Master's Student & Summer Internship: Do I Need an H-1B Visa?

H1B is a work visa, and only your employer can petition H1B on your behalf after you graduate. To do an internship while you are on a f1 visa, you have two options. F1 CPT or OPT. It’s more common to do summer internships with CPT.

1. F1 CPT: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows F-1 students to work legally off campus. To qualify for CPT, the internship must be directly related to your major area of study and have a curricular requirement —a degree, course, or dissertation requirement. You have to be an F-1 student with an active SEVIS record and maintain full-time student status for at least one academic year (two full semesters) before you apply. You will also need an employment offer letter on company letterhead before you apply for CPT. If your CPT request is approved, you will get an updated I-20 with a recommendation for CPT.
2. F1 OPT: Unlike CPT, OPT (Optional Practical Training) is available to you both before and after graduation. You get a total 12 months to work using your opt. If you use your opt to do an internship, then that time will be deducted from the 12 months. After you get an updated I-20 with OPT recommendation, you have to submit an OPT application with a fee to USCIS.