ISS Virtual Office Assistant – STEM OPT Reporting

STEM OPT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

A Guide for Reporting while on STEM OPT

If you are a student on STEM OPT, it is important to meet specific employment criteria during your STEM OPT period.

Follow these instructions to ensure compliance with STEM OPT employment criteria:

1. Employment Criteria for STEM OPT:

  • Full-time position (minimum of 20 hours per week)
  • Paid employment (unpaid or volunteer positions are not allowed)
  • Related to your STEM degree.
  • Employer must be e-verified (self-employment is not permitted)
  • Submit a completed and signed Form I-983 to the ISSO

Stay within the maximum limit of 150 days of unemployment (includes both post-completion and STEM OPT periods)

2. Reporting and Evaluations:

 Reporting Changes:

Within 10 days, report any changes to your employment, address, name, immigration status, etc. using the STEM OPT Reporting Form

Scheduled Reports and Evaluations:

Complete scheduled reports and evaluations at specific points throughout the extension period.

Ensure you meet the employment criteria and fulfill the reporting and evaluation requirements to maintain compliance with STEM OPT regulations using the STEM OPT Reporting Form within 10 days

SEVP Portal users will receive a reminder via email 30 days before their self-evaluation is due.

The Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) portal is a tool that F-1 students on post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) or OPT STEM extension must use to report changes of home address, telephone number, and employer information. 

 Here’s a summary of the reporting requirements and evaluations:

  • 6-Month Report: Confirm your personal address and employer information using the STEM OPT Reporting form. Even if there are no changes, you must submit the report.
  • 12-Month Evaluation: Upload the annual evaluation to the STEM Extension Validation form. Complete the STEM OPT Reporting form, even if there are no employment changes. The evaluation form is on page 5 of your I-983 STEM OPT training plan.
  • 18-Month Report: Confirm your personal address and employer information by submitting the STEM OPT Reporting form, even if there are no changes.
  • 24-Month Evaluation/STEM OPT Ending: Upload the final evaluation to the STEM OPT Reporting form. regardless of employment changes. The evaluation form is on page 5 of your I-983 STEM OPT training plan.

Special Circumstances to Report:

  • Leaving a Job: If you stop working for an employer, upload the final evaluation to the STEM OPT Reporting form. The evaluation form is on page 5 of your I-983 STEM OPT training plan.
  • Changing Employers: Complete the STEM OPT Reporting form and upload a new I-983 if you change employers during your STEM OPT. If you change your residential address, email, or phone number, complete STEM OPT Reporting form
  • Stay compliant by fulfilling these reporting requirements and evaluations throughout your STEM OPT period.

Note: If you have two events to submit at the same time, please submit the form twice, each time detailing the appropriate event and uploading any necessary documents.

 For detailed information, please visit the USCIS website: Students: STEM OPT Reporting Requirements | Study in the States (dhs.gov)

6-Month Report

Six months after the start of your STEM EAD, you must confirm your personal address and employer information using the STEM OPT Reporting form. Even if there has been no change in your situation.

12-Month Evaluation

Twelve months after the start of your STEM EAD, do the following:

  • Upload the annual evaluation to the STEM Extension Reporting  Form.
  • The evaluation form (Evaluation of Student Progress) is on page 5 in your I-983 STEM OPT training plan.
18-Month Report

Eighteen months after the start of your STEM EAD, do the following:

  • Eighteen months after you begin your STEM EAD, you must confirm your personal address and employer information by submitting the STEM OPT Reporting form, even if there are no changes.
24-Month Evaluation/STEM OPT Ending

Twenty Four months after the start of your STEM EAD, do the following:

• Upload the final evaluation into the STEM OPT Reporting form. You must complete the OPT Employment Report even if there has been no change in your employment situation.

* The evaluation form (Evaluation of Student Progress) is on page 5 in your I-983 STEM OPT training plan.

Leaving a Job

If you stop working for an employer, do the following:

• If you stop working for an employer, upload the final evaluation to the STEM OPT Reporting form. The evaluation form is on page 5 of your I-983 STEM OPT training plan.

* The evaluation form (Evaluation of Student Progress) is on page 5 in your I-983 STEM OPT training plan.

Changing Employers

If you are changing employers during your STEM OPT, do the following:

• Complete the STEM OPT Reporting form and submit a new I-983 from the new employer. Also, update the form if you change your residential address, email, or phone number.

*  I-983 STEM OPT training plan.

Click for the OPT STEM Reporting Form

You can easily access your employment details in the SEVP Portal, eliminating the need for a printed I-20. However, if your employer or travel requires an updated I-20, you can request one through our Virtual Office Assistant by clicking the ‘Travel Endorsement Signature’ button. Make sure to read the Traveling Tips for International Students document.