STEM OPT Reporting Requirements

• Date Due: Within 10 days of 12 months from the STEM OPT start date.

• Complete the I-983 Training Plan (Evaluation of Student Progress, page 5) describing the progress of the training experience.

• Submit the STEM OPT Report (12-month) using the International Services Portal uploading the completed I-983 Training Plan.

• Date Due: Within 10 days of your STEM OPT end date or change to a new visa classification.
• Complete the I-983 Training Plan (Final Evaluation of Student Progress, page 5) describing the training and knowledge acquired during the complete, 24 month training period.
• Submit the STEM OPT Report (Final Evaluation) using the International Services Portal uploading the completed I-983 Training Plan.

Material changes include a change of Employer Identification Number (EIN), Compensation, Hours per week, and/or Change of employer’s name or address

• Date Due: Within 10 days of the change.
• New Employer: Complete pages 1-4 of the I-983 Training Plan
• Submit the STEM OPT Report (Employer Change) using the International Services Portal uploading the completed I-983 Training Plan.

• Date Due: Within 10 days of the change.
• Employment Ended: Complete the I-983 Training Plan Final Evaluation of Student Progress on page 5 describing the training and knowledge acquired for the employment that has ended
• Submit the STEM OPT Report (Employer Change) using the International Services Portal uploading the completed I-983 Training Plan.

• Date Due: Within 10 days of the change.
• Employment Ended: Complete the I-983 Training Plan Final Evaluation of Student Progress on page 5 describing the training and knowledge acquired for the employment that has ended
• Submit the STEM OPT Report (Employer Change) using the International Services Portal uploading the completed I-983 Training Plan.
• Upload Evidence of new status (e.g. I-797 Approval Notice)

If a STEM OPT student believes that their STEM OPT employer is not complying with the terms and conditions of the 24-month STEM OPT extension regulations, the Form I-983 instructions, and the completed Form I-983 on file with their DSO, the student may:

• Contact the Student and Exchange Visitor Program at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by following the instructions found on ICE.gov.

• Report violations through this Homeland Security ICE Tip Form.

Paid employment of at least 20 hours per week for an E-Verify employer in a position directly related to the DHS-approved STEM CIP.

Paid employment for more than one employer. All employers must be E-Verify registrants and all positions combined must total more than 20 hours per week, and be related to your academic major.

You may be employed by multiple short-term employers. You must be able to provide evidence of all employers showing that you are working an average of at least 20 hours per week.

You may be engaged in work for hire, commonly referred to as 1099 independent contractor employment, by an employer enrolled in E-Verify performing a service based on a contractual relationship rather than an employment relationship. You must be prepared to provide evidence showing the duration of the contract periods and the name and address of the contracting company.

You may start a business and be self-employed. You must be able to prove that you have the proper business licenses, are registered with E-Verify, and are actively engaged in a business related to your degree program.

The employment agency or consulting firm must be registered with E-Verify, but the third parties contracting with the agency or firm, for which the student is providing services, need not be. You must be able to provide evidence showing that you are working an average of at least 20 hours per week while employed by the agency.