STEM OPT Reporting Resource and Worksheet

You have additional federal reporting requirements during the STEM OPT period. Failure to satisfy these requirements is a violation of your F-1 status. It may result in your STEM OPT being terminated by DHS and may negatively impact your ability to obtain future immigration benefits.

During the STEM OPT extension you must:

• Work in a paid position for at least 20 hours per week;
• Work in a position related to the STEM program major listed under “Program of Study” on the I-20;
• Work for an E-Verify employer;
• Accumulate less than 150 days of unemployment time during the entire period of OPT (regular post-completion OPT, and your 24-month extension, combined);
• Not be self-employed;
• Not engage in contract or third-party work.

If you are employed by multiple employers, ALL positions must meet the above requirements. Each position must have a complete and updated I-983 submitted to the HIO.

STEM OPT Reporting Requirements

While on STEM OPT, you and your employer have mandatory reporting requirements. Failure to comply with the STEM OPT rules and reporting requirements will constitute a status violation. Such violations will have negative consequences for your current F-1 immigration status and will result in delays and denials of future immigration benefits.

During the STEM OPT period, you must confirm your STEM employer information with the HIO via our STEM OPT Reporting Form every 6 months (even if it remains the same). Additionally, you must complete I-983 form evaluations with your employer(s) and submit them via this form.

We recommend that you use the STEM OPT Reporting Worksheet or the chart below to schedule reminders to submit the STEM OPT reporting requirements in your personal or work calendar.

Reporting Timeline

Additional Reporting Requirements

Change of Address

• If your personal U.S. address has changed, you must report this change to the HIO within 10 days of the move.

Reporting Change to Job Duties or Information on I-983

• Any material changes or updates to the information on the I-983 (i.e. employer’s address, change of EIN, reduction of hours, decrease in salary, title change, job duties, supervisor, *company mergers/acquisitions, etc.).   
  • *If your company merges with or is acquired by another company, you should submit a Final Evaluation (page 5 of I-983) signed by you and your former employer and a new I-983 signed by you and your new employer via the HIO's STEM OPT Reporting Form so we can issue you an updated I-20.
• Submit the STEM OPT Report Form and a new I-983 signed by the student and employer within 10 days.

Change of Employer

• It is possible to change employers during the STEM OPT extension if the employer meets the required criteria described above. Your new employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before you begin to work, and you must continue to work in a position related to the STEM program major listed under “Program of Study” on the I-20.
• If your STEM extension is still PENDING, please submit a report via the STEM OPT Reporting Form and also contact your HIO advisor for additional instructions

Ending STEM OPT & Changing Visa Status

• If you change your immigration status (i.e. Green Card, H-1B, etc.) or if you permanently leave the U.S. before the end date of your STEM OPT EAD, you must report that information to your HIO advisor.

Note on SEVP Portal Reminders

The SEVP Portal is a relatively new function in SEVIS and periodically, the Portal sends reminder emails regarding STEM reporting deadlines. These reminders are not always accurate; therefore, please continue to submit your STEM reports directly to the HIO via our STEM OPT Reporting Form to ensure data accuracy. 

The HIO provides general guidance on your OPT/STEM OPT application based on information obtained from reliable sources and reflecting our years of experience in working with students. We make every attempt to ensure that we provide you with the most up-to-date information available. Any advice provided to you by our office (as well as the information in this packet) does not constitute legal advice, however. The OPT application is a personal application for which you are responsible; the application preparation and USCIS case decision will vary depending on the facts at issue in your particular case. The HIO does its best to provide you with the most current guidance, but please be mindful that USCIS may change its interpretation of these policies, procedures, regulations, and eligibility requirements at any time. The HIO is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from USCIS.