F-1 students on STEM OPT have many reporting requirements with which they need to comply. It is integral that student fully understand the reporting requirements to maintain STEM OPT status. Please keep in mind that H-1B petitions and other change of status petitions may be denied due to failure to report or incorrect reporting while on STEM extension. Students should refer to the STEM Reporting Requirements Study in the States page for a complete list of reporting requirements.
| Amount of time on STEM | Validation Report (required every 6 months) | Evaluation |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Months | Yes | |
| 12 Months | Yes | One year self-evaluation due |
| 18 Months | Yes | |
| 24 Months | Yes | Final self-evaluation due |
Validation Reports
Students on STEM extension must report their current employment every six months.* The STEM reporting e-form can be submitted via the 6, 12, 18, and 24-Month STEM Reporting Tool. Students will need to confirm:
- Employer Name
- Employer City & State
- Job Title
- Start date with Employer
- Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Current US Address in SiS
Self Evaluations on Form I-983
In addition to reporting current employer information each six months, students must submit evaluations at:
- 12 months of employment
- Termination of employment
- 24 months of employment / final evaluation
These should be signed and dated by the student and the official signatory of the employer.
Loss of Employment
In case of loss/termination of employment, the student is responsible to inform the ISSO via the STEM Employment Reporting Tool. This must occur within 10 days of the termination. Additionally, the student must submit a Final Evaluation found on page 5 on the Form I-983.
Start of New Employment
The student must report any new STEM employment and submit a new Form I-983 within 10 days of receiving this employment. The student should update their new employment via the STEM Employment Reporting Tool.
Change of Employer While STEM Extension is Pending
A change of employer while STEM Extension is pending requires notification to USCIS of this change. Please note that STEM Extension Requests for Evidence (RFEs) have been increasing, so changing employers while STEM is pending could cause additional delays in your STEM application processing.
To report a change of employer while STEM is pending, you must complete the following ISSO e-form:
- STEM Employer Update e-form (new I-983 is required)
Reporting Material Changes
Students must report any material changes to their existing employment while on STEM extension. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Any change of the employer's IRS Employer Identification Number, (EIN– the company’s Federal Tax ID number) resulting from a change in the employer’s ownership or structure, such as a corporate restructuring.
- Any reduction in student compensation that is not tied to a reduction in hours worked.
- Any significant decrease in the number of hours of work per week that was specified on the Form I-983.
- Any decrease in hours of work that would reduce the student’s learning objectives as documented on the Form I-983.
- Changes to the employer’s commitment or student’s learning objectives as documented on the Form I-983.
Reminders
- All STEM OPT employers must be e-verified.
- Report any change of employment via the STEM Reporting Tool (see above for clarification on what is needed).
- Submit validation reports every six months via the 6, 12, 18, and 24-Month STEM Reporting Tool.
- Submit one year and final evaluations as necessary.
- Update any change of address in SiS within 10 days of moving.
SEVP Portal Frequently Asked Questions