SEVIS Reporting Requirements For Students On Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Recent instructions from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have mandated that Duke Visa Services enter additional information into the SEVIS system to maintain your SEVIS file and avoid cancellation of your OPT or STEM-OPT extension employment authorization.

Update SEVIS File Within 90 Days of OPT Start Date

Students on Pre-graduation Optional Practical Training must provide the following information to update your SEVIS file as soon as possible.

Students receiving Post-Graduation OPT approval must provide the following information to update your SEVIS file properly within 90 days of your OPT start date:

1. Your current residential (home) physical street address (where you keep your pillow, toothbrush, etc.), telephone number, and email address.
2. Documentation (a letter from your employer would be great) which includes:
   • The company’s name.
   • The physical address of your worksite (if self-employed, this also can be your home address).
   • The actual start and end date of your employment.
   • Your job title.
   • Whether or not the employment is part-time or full-time.
   • Your supervisor’s full name, telephone number, and email address.
   • Your employer’s Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). You can find this number on your pay statement, W-2, or you can contact your employer’s HR department to request it.
3. A written explanation from you or the employer explaining how the employment relates directly to your field of study (1000 characters or less).
4. Proof of funding. If your employment letter includes your salary, no additional information is required. If you still are seeking employment, are working unpaid, or you are volunteering, we must have evidence of funding to cover your OPT living expenses.

If there is no information in your SEVIS record within 90 days of your OPT period’s start date, then your SEVIS record will be auto completed – no one can fix this! You lose your F-1 status, your lawful presence in the U.S. and your job.

OPT 24-Month STEM Extension Reporting

All F-1 students are required to submit a Validation Report every six (6) months during the STEM OPT Extension, confirming that your personal and employment information are correct and up-to-date. You can find more information about your reporting requirements on the Study in the States website. SEVP will send a reminder email to you when you have a report due.

To complete these reports, please follow the instructions below:

• 6 months into STEM OPT Extension: Log into your SEVP Portal. Check your personal & employment information. Make changes, if necessary. Then, submit your Validation Report in the Duke Visa Services TDS Portal.
• 12 months into STEM OPT Extension: Log into your SEVP Portal. Check your personal & employment information. Make changes, if necessary. You must also complete an “Evaluation on Student Progress” on your I-983, then upload your Evaluation and submit your Validation Report in the Duke Visa Services TDS Portal.
• 18 months into STEM OPT Extension: Log into your SEVP Portal. Check your personal & employment information. Make changes, if necessary. Then, submit your Validation Report in the Duke Visa Services TDS Portal.
• 24 months / End of STEM OPT Extension: Log into your SEVP Portal. Check your personal & employment information. Make changes, if necessary. You must also complete a “Final Evaluation on Student Progress” on your I-983, then upload your Evaluation and submit yourValidation Report in the Duke Visa Services TDS Portal.

Your STEM OPT Extension advisor/DSO will submit your Validation Report in SEVIS after you have successfully submitted this request in the Portal.

Your employer must also report termination of your employment to the school within 48 hours, and the school must report that termination in SEVIS. While there is no established process, an employer can report the termination by sending an email to your STEM OPT Extension advisor/DSO.

Reporting MUST be your priority!