OPT STEM Reporting Requirements

OPT STEM Reporting Requirements

In addition to reporting any changes to your residential address, contact information and employer information within 10 days, students on OPT STEM are also required to submit validation reports and evaluations (page 5 of the I-983). 

Validation Reports are due every six months starting from the date the extension begins and ending when employment terminates or at the end of 24 months. 

Evaluations are due every 12 months and upon departure from a employer.

What can I update in my SEVP Portal while on OPT STEM?

You have the ability to update your residential address and contact information via the SEVP Portal. You are responsible for updating the SEVP Portal within 10 days of the change. You are not able to update employment as an updated I-983 is mandatory.  Validation reports and evaluations need to be submitted to CIE. 

Validations

Validations need to be submitted at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months

You are required to submit a Validation Report to CIE every 6 months, changes or no changes. 

You MUST log into your SEVP Portal and make sure all information is current and up-to-date. You can edit your address and phone number if necessary. If any employer information needs to be updated, you must submit an update I-983 Form.

Once you have completed the above, please send cie@csueastbay.edu an email with the following:

At 6 months and 18 months

  • Your Name
  • Your SEVIS number
  • Confirmation you have checked your SEVP Portal and everything is current
  • Request your validation report be submitted in SEVIS by an international student advisor
  • An updated I-983 if any information has changed. See Changes/Updates to the I-983 section below.

At 12 months and 24 months

  • Your Name
  • Your SEVIS number
  • Confirmation you have checked your SEVP Portal and everything is current
  • Request your validation report be submitted in SEVIS by an international student advisor
  • An updated I-983 if any information has changed. See Changes/Updates to the I-983 section below.
  • Submit Evaluation page of the I-983. See Evaluations section below

Evaluations

You must complete two annual self-evaluations using page five of the Form I-983 Training Plan. You will also need to complete the "final" self-evaluation whenever you change employers. 

  • Evaluation on Student Progress- The first evaluation must be completed 12 months after the start date on your STEM OPT EAD. It must be submitted at the same time as your 12-month Validation Report
  • Final Evaluation on Student Progress-The final evaluation must be completed at the end of the 24-Month STEM OPT. It must be submitted along with your 24-month Validation Report. 
  • Change Employers or Visa Type- If you leave your job or change to a different visa status prior to the end date on your STEM OPT EAD card, you must complete and submit a final evaluation on .

To be accepted, your Self Evaluations must be completed, fully signed, and dated by both you and your employer. Please submit the updated page 5 with the original I-983 unless any changes to the I-983 need to be made. 

Changes/Updates to the I-983

Students must report changes within 10 days and are required to submit a new/updated I-983 for the following material changes: 

  • New employer
  • Change in supervisor and/or supervisor contact information
  • Employer street address (company/headquarter address)
  • Employer site address (physical work location)
  • Change to employer’s EIN
  • Any reduction in student compensation that is not tied to a reduction in hours worked
  • Any significant decrease in hours per week that a student engages in a STEM training opportunity
  • Changes to the employer’s commitments or student’s learning objectives as documented on the Form I-983
  • Company Acquisition/Merger 

Change of Address Reporting 

If you change your residential address while on OPT STEM, you will need to update the following

  1. MyCSUEB- Log into your MyCSUEB to update your residential address with the university
  2. SEVP Portal- update your residential address in your SEVP Portal
  3. USCIS-  You will need to submit any address changes to USCIS while on OPT STEM. You can do this through your USCIS account. 

Additional Reporting

Students must also report any changes to your name, your immigration status, or if you will forfeit the remainder of STEM OPT and will leave the country.

If you change your immigration status (i.e. H1B) you will be required to submit the Final Evaluation of Form I-983 and final Validation report along with a copy of your change of status approval notice.