While on STEM OPT

While on STEM OPT Extension, you must submit a new STEM OPT Validation Report in MyOISS every 6 months starting from the date the STEM OPT extension begins and ending when your F-1 status or the extension ends, whichever is first. You may submit your report up to 30 days before your validation due date and no more than 10 days after your validation due date. The report is to confirm that your SEVIS record accurately reflects your current circumstances.

While on STEM OPT, you will receive email notification reminders when it is time for you to submit your STEM OPT Validation Reports. In the STEM OPT Validation Report, you must confirm the following:

• Your STEM OPT start date and end date
• Employer ID Number (EIN)
• Start date with your employer
• Supervisor name, phone number and email
• Your job title
• For the 12 month validation report, you will also need to upload the completed “Evaluation on Student Progress” on page 5 (top evaluation box) of your I-983.
• For the 24 month validation report, you will also need to upload the completed “Final Evaluation on Student Progress” on page 5 (bottom evaluation box) of your I-983.

While on STEM OPT, you are required to report any changes to your employment information including job title, address changes, employment end dates in MyOISS by submitting the OPT/STEM OPT Employment Update request.

For every new employer, you must submit a new completed Form I-983 training plan. If you end/terminate employment, you must submit an “Evaluation on Student Progress” on Form I-983 page 5.

While on STEM OPT, you must report to your OISS adviser any material changes to, or material deviations from, your Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students. These changes must be reported via an updated Form I-983 submitted in MyOISS by using the OPT/STEM OPT Employment Update request.

As outlined in the DHS Form I-983 overview, material changes or deviations from the original Form I-983 may include, but are not limited to:

• Any change of the 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.

While on STEM OPT, you must update any change to the following within 10 days of the change in the SEVP Portal:

• Residential address
• Mailing address
• Telephone number
• Email address

Yes. Remember that your immigration status is still F-1. To re-enter the U.S., you must have:

• Valid EAD card
• I-20 with travel signature (no more than 6 months old) with current employer information listed on 2nd page of I-20
  Need a new I-20? Submit an Reprint I-20 request in MyOISS
• Valid F-1 visa stamp or plans to renew yours before re-entering the U.S. (Canadians are not required to have an F-1 visa stamp)
• Current passport (valid for at least 6 months into the future unless your passport country belongs to the Six Month Club)
• Job offer letter (highly recommended, but not required)
  
  

Contact your OISS adviser for guidance on your particular situation. If there are any problems with your STEM OPT application and you are outside of the U.S., you may not be able to respond to USCIS in a timely manner, which could delay processing of your EAD.

If your STEM OPT application is denied while you are outside the U.S., and your original OPT EAD has expired, you will not be able to re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status and will not be able to reapply.

If you are traveling abroad and your F-1 visa stamp has expired, you must obtain a new F-1 visa before returning to the U.S. (Canadians are exempt from this requirement). Bring these documents to your visa interview:

• Valid passport (at least 6 months in the future)
• Valid STEM OPT I-20 with travel endorsement from an OISS advisor within the past 6 months
• STEM OPT EAD Card
• Proof of current STEM OPT employment (employer should match employer info listed on the I-20)
• Evidence of sufficient funds (e.g. a bank statement, a letter from a sponsor or a job offer letter)

Check the U.S. Department of State website for the most up-to-date information about obtaining a visa and specific requirements at the local U.S. embassy or consulate.

If you are leaving the U.S. before the end date on your EAD, you must submit the Early Departure Notification request via MyOISS before you leave the U.S. You will be required to submit a “Final Evaluation on Student Progress” on Form I-983 (page 5) as part of the request.

If you change to another visa status in the U.S., such as H-1B, E-3, G-4, TN, etc. or obtain Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) status, you must report this change by submitting a Report Change of Status request in MyOISS. You will also need to submit a completed “Final Evaluation on Student Progress” on Form I-983 (page 5) via MyOISS within 10 days of changing your status.

During STEM OPT Extension

If you wish to start a new full-time academic program while on STEM OPT, the remainder of your STEM OPT must be forfeited before beginning classes with the new program.

• If you are beginning a program of study at another U.S. school, you must request a Transfer Out request in MyOISS in order to transfer your F-1 SEVIS record to another school.
• If you are beginning a new program of study at WashU, you must submit a Change of Education Level request in MyOISS. Once your “Change of Level” request is processed and your new I-20 is issued, your OPT employment authorization ends and you must stop working. Once your “Change of Level” request is processed and your new I-20 is issued, your STEM OPT employment authorization ends and you must stop working.
• You will also need to submit a completed Final Evaluation on Student Progress on Form I-983 (page 5) via MyOISS BEFORE we can process your Transfer Out or Change of Level request.

After STEM OPT Extension

If you are planning to go back to school after your STEM OPT ends, you will need to submit either a Transfer Out request to transfer your F-1 SEVIS record to another school or request a Change of Education Level if returning to WashU. Both requests are located in MyOISS.

You must complete the Transfer-Out or Change of Education Level requests before the end of the 60-day grace period following the STEM OPT Extension end date.

• After the SEVIS transfer release date has passed, you may not continue working on STEM OPT, even if your EAD has not expired. The transfer release date, in effect, cancels the EAD. You must submit all employment updates and validation reports before your transfer release date.
• Your SEVIS transfer release date can be within the STEM OPT period dates listed on the EAD or up to 60 days after the expiration date on the EAD.
• Classes at the new school must begin within 5 months of the transfer release date or at the start of the next available term, whichever is earlier.
• You may request a transfer release date in the future and continue working on STEM OPT until that date, as long as the EAD has not expired and the new program of study has not yet begun.
• If the length of time between the STEM OPT end date and the start date of classes at the new school will be more than 5 months, meet with your OISS adviser to discuss options.

“Cap-Gap” refers to the period of time between the official end-date listed on the OPT or STEM OPT EAD card and the official start date of an H-1B filed as a Change of Status.

The cap-gap OPT extension is the period in which an eligible F-1 student’s immigration status and employment authorization under OPT/STEM OPT is automatically extended to bridge the gap in status and employment between the end of F-1 status (OPT/STEM OPT end-date) and start of H-1B status.

Cap-Gap extensions are automatically processed by USCIS when your H-1B application is selected. If you need an updated I-20 showing the Cap-Gap extension, please submit the Cap-Gap Extension request via MyOISS.

Learn more about Cap-Gap Extension