Alums on OPT/STEM OPT

• Reporting Requirements

  While on OPT/STEM OPT, you must report changes to the International Advising Office, including:

  • Your residential address
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Employer name and address
  • Employment start and end dates
  • Any changes to your employment, including employer, title, manager, work location, number of hours, etc
  • Legal name changes

  You must also ensure that all employment is directly related to your major/field of study. To report any changes, please submit the Post-Completion/STEM OPT Employment Update.

• Unemployment Limits

  Students on post-completion OPT may accrue no more than 90 days of unemployment during their 12-month OPT authorization. Exceeding the allowable unemployment period may jeopardize your F-1 status. Students on STEM OPT are allowed an additional 60 days of unemployment, for a total of 150 unemployment days while on both types of OPT.

• Report Changes Within 10 Days

  Notify International Advising by submitting the Post-Completion OPT/STEM OPT Employment Update Form within 10 days of any changes to:

  • Employer
  • Employer address
  • Employment status
  • Residential address
  • Phone number
  • Email address

  Failure to report required changes may result in a violation of your STEM OPT requirements and could affect your immigration status.

• Validation Reports

  You must complete a STEM OPT validation report every six months throughout your STEM OPT period, even if none of your information has changed. International Advising will email you when your validation report is due. To complete the requirement, simply reply to the email with the requested information. No separate form is required.

• Form I-983 Evaluations

  Students on STEM OPT must complete required evaluations with their employer using Form I-983, linked here, including:

  • Annual self-evaluation
  • Final evaluation if employment ends before your STEM OPT authorization expires

Traveling on OPT/STEM OPT

• What Documents Do I Need?

  Travel while on OPT is permitted, but you should carry documentation demonstrating your continued F-1 status and employment.
  
  When reentering the United States, you should have:

  • Valid passport - which must be valid for a minimum of six months into the future at the time of re-entry to the U.S.
  • Valid F-1 visa (unless exempt)
  • Form I-20 with a travel signature issued within the past six months
  • Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
  • Employment verification letter or proof of current employment
  • Additional supporting documentation, as appropriate
• My OPT/STEM OPT Application is Still Pending OR I Am Unemployed. What Should I Do?

  If you plan to travel while unemployed or if your OPT or STEM OPT application is still pending, contact International Advising before making travel plans.

• International Advising Travel Registry

  The International Advising Office asks that you always submit your travel plans through our Travel Registry whether you are traveling domestically or internationally. Providing your travel information allows our office to better assist you in the event of an emergency or unexpected situation while you are traveling.