STEM OPT Validation
 
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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-983are 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. Not submitting a final evaluation would be a violation of the terms of Form I-983, “Training Plan for STEM OPT Students,” and may jeopardize the student’s nonimmigrant status.

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 My OPT Profile

  2. Click on “2. Requests”  

  3. Under “What Can We Help You With”, see your request options, and click on the STEM OPT Validation Request.

  4. ​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.  

  5. Submit STEM OPT Validation Request. 

You will receive an email from the International Student Services office once your new I-20 is available in the International Student Platform.  


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.  

 

To begin this request, login here: My OPT Profile



International Student Services: 
E-mail: international@newpaltz.edu
Phone: +1-845-257-3595