STEM OPT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
A Guide for Reporting while on STEM OPT
If you are a student on STEM OPT, it is important to meet specific employment criteria during your STEM OPT period.
Follow these instructions to ensure compliance with STEM OPT employment criteria:
1. Employment Criteria for STEM OPT:
- Full-time position (minimum of 20 hours per week)
- Paid employment (unpaid or volunteer positions are not allowed)
- Related to your STEM degree.
- Employer must be e-verified (self-employment is not permitted)
- Submit a completed and signed Form I-983 to the ISSO
Stay within the maximum limit of 150 days of unemployment (includes both post-completion and STEM OPT periods)
2. Reporting and Evaluations:
Reporting Changes:
Within 10 days, report any changes to your employment, address, name, immigration status, etc. using the STEM OPT Reporting Form
Scheduled Reports and Evaluations:
Complete scheduled reports and evaluations at specific points throughout the extension period.
Ensure you meet the employment criteria and fulfill the reporting and evaluation requirements to maintain compliance with STEM OPT regulations using the STEM OPT Reporting Form within 10 days
SEVP Portal users will receive a reminder via email 30 days before their self-evaluation is due.
The Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) portal is a tool that F-1 students on post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) or OPT STEM extension must use to report changes of home address, telephone number, and employer information.
Here’s a summary of the reporting requirements and evaluations:
- 6-Month Report: Confirm your personal address and employer information and email a clear scanned copy of your EAD Card to iss@qc.cuny.edu
- 12-Month Evaluation: Email the complete I-983, including Page 5 (Annual Evaluation), to iss@qc.cuny.edu at the same time you submit the STEM OPT Reporting Form.
- 18-Month Report: Confirm your personal address and employer information by submitting the STEM OPT Reporting form, even if there are no changes.
- 24-Month Evaluation/STEM OPT Ending: Email the complete I-983, including Page 5 (Final Evaluation), to iss@qc.cuny.edu at the same time you submit the STEM OPT Reporting Form.
Special Circumstances to Report:
- Leaving a Job: Email the complete I-983, including Page 5 (Final Evaluation), to iss@qc.cuny.edu at the same time you submit the STEM OPT Reporting Form.
- Changing Employers: Email the complete I-983 (all pages) for the new employer to iss@qc.cuny.edu at the same time you submit the STEM OPT Reporting Form.
- Stay compliant by fulfilling these reporting requirements and evaluations throughout your STEM OPT period.
📌 Notes:
If two events happen at the same time (for example, you are leaving one job and starting a new one), you must submit the STEM OPT Reporting Form twice - once for each event.
After submitting the form, email your complete I983 and all required documents to iss@qc.cuny.edu . The form does not accept uploads. Refer to the form instructions for details on how to email and label your files properly.
For detailed information, please visit the USCIS website: Students: STEM OPT Reporting Requirements | Study in the States (dhs.gov)
6-Month Report
12-Month Evaluation
Twelve months after the start of your STEM EAD, do the following:
- Submit the form and email the complete I983 including Page 5 (Annual Evaluation)
- The evaluation form (Evaluation of Student Progress) is on page 5 in your I-983 STEM OPT training plan.
18-Month Report
Eighteen months after the start of your STEM EAD, do the following:
- Eighteen months after you begin your STEM EAD, you must confirm your personal address and employer information by submitting the STEM OPT Reporting form, even if there are no changes.
24-Month Evaluation/STEM OPT Ending
Twenty Four months after the start of your STEM EAD, do the following:
• Submit the form and email the complete I983 including Page 5 (Annual Evaluation)
* The evaluation form (Evaluation of Student Progress) is on page 5 in your I-983 STEM OPT training plan.
Leaving a Job
If you stop working for an employer, do the following:
•Submit the form and email the complete I983 including Page 5 (Final Evaluation)
* The evaluation form (Evaluation of Student Progress) is on page 5 in your I-983 STEM OPT training plan.
Changing Employers
If you are changing employers during your STEM OPT, do the following:
• Submit the form and email the new complete I983 (all pages)
Note: The STEM OPT Reporting Form does not accept file uploads. After you submit the form, email all required documents at the same time to iss@qc.cuny.edu . Your request will not be processed until both the form and the documents are received.
You can easily access your employment details in the SEVP Portal, eliminating the need for a printed I-20. However, if your employer or travel requires an updated I-20, you can request one through our Virtual Office Assistant by clicking the ‘Travel Endorsement Signature’ button. Make sure to read the Traveling Tips for International Students document.