STEM OPT Validation

SEVP - Student and Exchange Visitor Program requires all students completing 24 Month STEM OPT validate/report their STEM OPT employment every 6 months.  Failure to validate your employment within 30 days of the due date may result in negative results of future requests to USCIS or auto-termination of your OPT authorization by SEVP. 
 

Reporting Requirements 

Validation:  During the STEM OPT extension period, the student must make a 6, 12, 18 & 24-month validation report to the DSO that confirms the student’s current name, address, employer, and employment status are correct.

Self-Evaluations: Self-evaluations “Evaluation of Student Progress” (page 5 of Form I-983) are submitted to the DSO at the end of any employment and at the 12- & 24-month marks from the start date of the STEM extension. A concluding self-evaluation occurs at the end of any period of employment, regardless of its duration, for example; 14 months.

Continued General Reporting: Any changes in the student’s legal name, address, employer, or employment status within 10 days of the change.
 

Required Materials

• For 12 & 24 moth validation Form I-983, page 5 “Evaluation of Student Progress” for 12 months and 24 month validation. 
   

Procedure​

1. Log in to your ISS-Profile

2. ​Complete the STEM Report Participation Request.   
        - Electronically sign the Report STEM OPT Participation Agreement
        - Complete STEM OPT Reporting Questionnaire
        - ​You will need to upload “Evaluation of Student Progress" for 12 & 24 month validation only.  

​3. Confirm/update physical address (in your profile under Edit Profile --> Profile tab)

Special Considerations

- Once you submit the STEM Validation Request, we will review and validate your employment in SEVIS.  
- Failure to validate your STEM employment could affect future USCIS benefits.  

Choose the STEM Report Participation Request in your ISSS-OPT Profile.