Regulations during STEM OPT
While on the 24-month STEM OPT Extension, you are still in F-1 immigration status and must follow regulations in order to maintain your status.
Once your STEM OPT is approved and you have received your EAD card, make sure to upload a copy of your STEM OPT EAD card through the EAD Upload eForm in the MyISSC eForm portal.
6, 12, 18, and 24-month Reporting
While on STEM OPT, you are required to do reporting every 6 months. This is an important part of maintaining your F-1 status while on STEM OPT.
You will submit each report to the ISSC through the MyISSC eForm portal. You do not need to also call or email our office.
In the F-1 Practical Training section of the eForm portal, you will find the associated reporting eForms under “5. STEM OPT Extension: Reporting.”
Requirements for each reporting period are as follows:
- 6 months: Submit the 6-month reporting eForm - in the eForm you will confirm that your employment information is up to date.
- 12 months: Submit the 12-month reporting eForm - in the eForm you will confirm that your employment information is up to date AND upload the I-983 Pg. 5 Self-Evaluation (the top section of pg. 5).
- 18 months: Submit the 18-month reporting eForm - in the eForm you will confirm that your employment information is up to date
- 24 months: Submit the 24-month reporting eForm - in the eForm you will confirm that your employment information is up to date AND upload the I-983 Pg. 5 Final Evaluation (the bottom section of pg. 5).
For more details on the reporting requirements, please refer to our Form I-983 Canvas Course.
Please note: You can submit each report up to 30 days before your 6-month deadline. Do not delay in submitting your request as the ISSC will not be able to expedite the processing of your request.
Updates in Employment Information
While on STEM OPT, you are limited in the information that you can update in the SEVP Portal. Employment updates, therefore, must be submitted through the STEM OPT Employment Update eForm in the MyISSC eForm portal. In the F-1 Practical Training section of the eForm portal, you will find the eForm under “5. STEM OPT Extension: Reporting.”
When reporting changes in employment, a new I-983 may be required. Here are examples of what changes you are required to report via the STEM OPT Employment Update eForm:
- Ending a job - you will be required to upload a completed I-983 Pg. 5 Final Evaluation (the bottom section of pg. 5)
- Starting a new job/adding an additional job - you will be required to upload a completed I-983 (pgs. 1-4)
- Change in current employment information - the following will require you to upload an updated I-983 reflecting the changes:
- Change in employer name and/or EIN
- Change in employer address and/or your working location
- Reduction in hours
- Reduction in compensation that is not tied to a reduction in hours
- Change in job responsibilities
- Changes to the training plan/learning objectives as documented in the I-983
- Change in Supervisor - this depends on the situation
- If your supervisor changes and the new supervisor will continue with the same training plan and your job responsibilities will not change, an updated I-983 is not required. You can update your supervisor information within the SEVP Portal.
- If the change in supervisor will result in an updated training plan and/or job responsibilities, you would need to submit an updated I-983. Please discuss this with your new supervisor.
- Change in job title/role - this depends on the situation
- If the change in job title/role does not impact your main job responsibilities and/or the training plan, an updated I-983 is not required. You can update your job title in the SEVP Portal.
- If the change in job title/role results in a change in your main job responsibilities and/or the training plan, you will need to submit an updated I-983. Please discuss this with your supervisor.
Multiple employers
Students may have multiple jobs while on STEM OPT, as long as all conditions of the STEM OPT employment criteria are met.
This means that each job must be related to your major area of study, at least 20 hours a week, with a company that participates in E-Verify, and it must be a paid position. Please read through student and employer requirements for more details.
Unemployment
The rule states that during OPT, F-1 status is dependent upon employment. Students who are granted a 24-month extension are given an additional 60 days of unemployment for a total of 150 days over their entire Post-OPT and STEM periods. During any initial 12-month period of Post-OPT, no student may be unemployed for more than 90 days, and 150 days total during the STEM extension period. Unemployment dates are cumulative.
- Unemployment starts accruing from your approved OPT/EAD start date (this is the date listed on your EAD card) but you are not working.
- If you accumulate 150 days or more of unemployment, you are in violation of your F-1 status. You are expected to leave the U.S., transfer to another school or change your visa status before the 150th day.
- If you have a job offer that will start after your 150 days of unemployment, we do not suggest taking it since you will be accumulating unlawful presence. A student may be denied future immigration benefits that rely on the student’s valid F-1 status if DHS determines that the student exceeded the limitations on unemployment.
- Approved vacation from a job does not count as "unemployment" if you are still considered an employee there.
- Jobs that are less than 20 hours per week are not permitted on STEM OPT. If you work less than 20 hours a week, it will count as unemployment time.
Early Completion of the 24-month STEM OPT and Leaving the U.S., or Change of Status
If you left the United States, submit the F-1 Demographic Update eForm through the ISSC eForm Portal with proof of leaving the US such as; the travel history page of your I-94, or the air tickets. We will then complete your records. This update will invalidate your STEM OPT employment authorization, and your I-20 and EAD card will no longer be valid.
If you change your visa status before your STEM OPT expiration date, submit the F-1 Demographic Update eForm through the ISSC eForm Portal and upload form I-797A Approval Notice or other evidence you have received a new visa status.
In both of these situations, you must also submit the STEM OPT Employment Update eForm in order to do your final STEM OPT reporting. This is required in order to meet the final reporting requirements; you will be asked to upload the I-983 final evaluation as a part of the eForm.