Your STEM OPT reporting requirements begin after the start date on your STEM EAD card has passed.
There are three types of reporting that are required by all STEM OPT students: General, Time-based, and Event-based reporting. General Reporting
You need to report the following changes within 10 days of the change:
- Change in address or phone number – update this on your Howdy Dashboard
- Changes to your name – this will also require you to submit a Name Change Request with the Registrar’s Office
- Report to ISSS by submitting a request in the ISSS Portal and upload a copy of your new passport that reflects a name change.
Time-Based Reporting
Even if there are no changes in your STEM employment, name, phone number, or address, every student is required to report to ISSS every 6 months during their 24-Month STEM OPT Extension period.
Deadlines:For example, your STEM EAD approved dates are January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023. Your STEM employment reporting requirements start from January 1, 2023 and you are required to submit:
- 6-month reporting on July 1, 2023
- 12-month reporting on January 1, 2024
- 18-month reporting on July 1, 2024
- 24-month reporting on January 1, 2025
There is a limited window for you to complete your STEM OPT reporting on time.
You can report up to 30 days before the due date, and we recommend that you report as early as possible. Please keep our current processing time in mind!
You will be able to monitor your time-based reporting in the
SEVP Portal.
Report STEM employment in the Post Graduation Work section of the ISSS Portal
Event-based Reporting
You must report changes to your employment within 10 days of the change.
Both you AND your employer are required to report the following changes:- The start of any new STEM employment
- The end of current STEM employment.
- “Material changes” to STEM employment, including but not limited to:
- Any change of the employer’s EIN resulting from a change in the employer’s ownership or structure, such as a corporate restructuring.
- Any reduction in your compensation that is not tied to a reduction in hours you worked.
- Any significant decrease in the number of hours of work per week that was specified on the Form I-983.
- Changes to the employer’s commitments or your learning objectives as documented on the Form I-983.
There are other changes to your employment that may require an updated I-983 as well. Please refer to the
STEM OPT Reporting request in the ISSS Portal
for detailed instructions. Study in the States has resources for
Employers and the Form I-983.
You are allowed up to 150 days of unemployment during STEM OPT. This includes any unemployment you earned during 12-month OPT.