In order to maintain F-1 status on the STEM OPT extension, students must check in with their ISSO advisor (DSO) every six months. The advisor will submit the validation report through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to validate the employment information or to report changes made to the student's Form I-983 training plan. Validation reports must be submitted within 10 days of the due date.
All check-ins need to be submitted through the ISSO Portal so your ISSO advisor can update the SEVIS record.
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Your validation report is due at 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months after the start date of your STEM OPT.
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You will be sent automatic email reminders by the SEVP Portal when you are due for a validation report. However, you are responsible for keeping track of when your validation reports are due.
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You must submit your validation report within 10 days of your due date.
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If you have a change in employment/personal information, this needs to be updated within 10 days of the change.
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If you have a change in your employment/personal information and you are due for one of your 6-month validation reports around the same time, you should submit both forms in the ISSO Portal.
6-month check-in: It is your responsibility to check-in with the ISSO at the 6 month mark of your STEM extension to confirm that you are still working for your employer with the same responsibilities as initially reported on the Form I-983 training plan. Complete the validation report by submitting the STEM OPT Check-In Request through the ISSO Portal and verify your employer and address are correct. No section of the Form I-983 needs to be submitted at this time.
12-month check-in: It is your responsibility to provide your annual evaluation at the 12 month check-in. The progress evaluation can be found on page five of the Form I-983. Complete the validation report by submitting the STEM OPT Check-In Request through the ISSO Portal and verify your employer and address are correct. Page five of the Form I-983 can be uploaded in the ISSO Portal as part of the STEM OPT Check-In Request.
18-month check-in: It is your responsibility to check-in with the ISSO at the 18 month mark of your STEM extension to confirm that you are still working for your employer with the same responsibilities as initially reported on the Form I-983 training plan. Complete the validation report by submitting the STEM OPT Check-In Request through the ISSO Portal and verify your employer and address are correct. No section of the Form I-983 needs to be submitted at this time.
Final Evaluation: A final evaluation is required when you complete your STEM employment OR if you leave your job and switch to a new employer. The final evaluation can be found on page 5 of the Form I-983. Complete the validation report by submitting the STEM OPT Check-In Request through the ISSO Portal and verify your employer and address are correct. Page five of the Form I-983 can be uploaded in the ISSO Portal as part of the STEM OPT Check-In Request.
During Cap Gap: STEM OPT reporting requirements continues during the Cap-Gap Extension (every 6 months).
In addition to the required six month check-ins, if there are any material changes to or deviation from the Form I-983 that the ISSO has on file, a newly modified Form I-983 must be submitted.
Material changes or deviations may include but are not limited to:
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Any change of the employer’s EIN.
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Any reduction in student compensation that is not tied to a reduction in hours worked.
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Any significant decrease in hours per week that a student engages in a STEM training opportunity.
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Changes to the employer’s commitments (Employers and the Form I-983) or student’s learning objectives as documented on the Form I-983.
We recommend submitting an updated I-983 training plan if your employer name changes, even if the EIN name doesn't change. Please contact your ISSO advisor if you have questions about updating the SEVIS record when there is a change.
What happens if I miss the deadline for one of my validation reports?
If you do not submit your Validation Report in the ISSO Portal on time, ISSO will not have the ability to submit your report to SEVIS and the status of the STEM OPT Validation or Evaluation will remain as “past due” in your SEVP Portal.
If I end my STEM OPT before my STEM OPT end date, do I still need to submit the validation reports that are due after I have ended my STEM OPT?
No, you only need to submit validation reports that are due while you are actively on STEM OPT. However, you still need to submit the Form I-983 Final Evaluation and report you will end your STEM OPT Extension The Final Evaluation (second section of page 5 on the Form I-983) may be submitted through the ISSO Portal.