opt reporting requirements how employment is related to the course of study

Employment must be directly related to your course of study. Must report new employment and changes to employment to the International Center Limitation on Unemployment for the STEM OPT Extension.

Full Answer

Do I have to complete the opt employment report?

Even if there has been no change in your situation, you must complete the OPT Employment Report. Upload the annual evaluation into the OPT Employment Report form. You must complete the OPT Employment Report even if there has been no change in your employment situation.

When to request employment authorization for practical training under opt?

An eligible student may request employment authorization for practical training in a position that is directly related to his or her major area of study. First, we will have a look at examples for students who are participating in OPT with a bachelor’s degree. When you look at ICE’s official guideline, three factors stand out:

What rules and guidance apply to opt?

Complex rules and guidance apply to OPT. Any OPT requests entered into SEVIS must comply with federal regulations. DSOs must understand the following regulations and policy guidance: OPT : For students engaged in post-secondary schools or at conservatories. Twelve months of Regular OPT is available for each higher level of study.

What reports do I need to submit while on STEM OPT?

Your employment while you are on STEM OPT must be directly related to your STEM degree. There are several reports that you are required to submit while you are on STEM OPT status: Six months after the start of your STEM EAD, you must confirm your personal address and employer information.

How should a student report employment during OPT?

Note: While on OPT, the student must report to the DSO within 10 days any changes in the student's name or address, and employment information. The DSO must update SEVIS within 21 days with the employment information and any name or address changes.

Does OPT employment have to be related to major?

All OPT employment must be directly related to the student's major field of study and commensurate with the degree level. The following types of paid and unpaid experiences are considered valid OPT activities according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and should be reported to the ISSO.

What are your reporting requirements once you are employed on OPT ?*?

You must submit a report every 6 months from your STEM EAD start date even if your employment information has remained the same.1 Report changes within 10 days. ... 2 Submit a STEM OPT report every 6 months. ... 3 You are limited to a total of 150 days without employment.More items...

Is OPT considered employment?

Volunteer work and unpaid internships on OPT Volunteering and participation in an unpaid internship can be considered employment for purposes of the initial 12-month period of F-1 post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), and can be reported in SEVIS as valid OPT employment.

How do you write OPT directly related to major?

The written explanation should include the student's job title, employer name, major area of study, whether full-time or the average hours worked per week, and a brief explanation of how the job is directly related to the student's degree/major field of study.

Can you take a course on OPT?

Studying while on OPT is generally prohibited. Enrolling full-time, taking classes at a higher educational level, or taking courses at another institution will terminate your employment authorization, even if the dates on your EAD are still valid. Any study while on OPT must be incidental.

Does USCIS check employment history for green card?

Employment History Requirements Both the family member seeking a green card and sponsoring family member (the U.S. citizen or green card holder) must provide their employment history on the appropriate immigration form.

What are the requirements for OPT?

To be eligible to apply for OPT, you must: (1) have been in full-time student status for at least one academic year by the requested start date of your OPT, (2) be maintaining valid F-1 status at the time of the application, and (3) have not used OPT at the same degree level previously.

How do you explain OPT to an employer?

OPT is a type of F-1 off campus work authorization for degree-seeking students who wish to gain experience in jobs directly related to their major area of study. Other Characteristics of OPT: No employer sponsorship needed. Students must be enrolled for one year before applying for OPT.

Can OPT student self-employed?

A student on OPT may start a business and be self-employed. The student must be able to prove that he or she has the proper business licenses and is actively engaged in a business related to the student's degree program.”

Does OPT count as full-time student?

All OPT employment, including post-completion OPT, must be in a job that is related to your degree program. Students authorized for post-completion OPT may work part time (at least 20 hours per week) or full time.

Can a student work two jobs on OPT?

Are multiple OPT jobs allowed? Multiple post-completion OPT jobs can be carried out once you complete your studies in a college or a university. You may work for more than one employer or job, but all employment must be related to your degree program. The cumulative number of hours should be 20 or more in a week.

Changes to Report

Federal regulations require that international students report the following changes to their DSO to properly maintain their student status. Regulations specify when you need to report these changes, as identified below.

Requesting Changes

In certain instances, students need to work with their DSO before a change occurs. These situations often occur because a DSO needs to grant the student permission in SEVIS or verify that the government records on the student are accurate for re-entry into the United States.

Importance of SEVIS

SEVIS and the SEVP Portal are critical tools in DHS’s mission to protect national security while supporting the legal entry of international students into the United States for education and cultural exchange.

What is an OPT degree?

OPT : For students engaged in post-secondary schools or at conservatories. Twelve months of Regular OPT is available for each higher level of study. (For example a student may have 12 months for a bachelor’s degree and another 12 months for a master’s degree).

How many months of OPT are there?

There are three general types of OPT: OPT : For students engaged in post-secondary schools or at conservatories. Twelve months of Regular OPT is available for each higher level of study. (For example a student may have 12 months for a bachelor’s degree and another 12 months for a master’s degree).

What if SEVIS does not reflect applications filed with or decisions made by USCIS?

If OPT information in SEVIS does not reflect applications filed with or decisions made by USCIS, DSOs can ask to have the record corrected. There are two ways to correct data in a student record.

What is an OPT in SEVIS?

While a Designated School Official (DSO) recommends OPT in SEVIS, it is the student who must apply for the work permit with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).

How long can a student be unemployed after completing OPT?

A student on post-completion OPT can be unemployed for a total of 90 days.

Can SEVIS request overlapping OPT?

SEVIS will not allow DSOs to request overlapping segments of OPT. You must specify if the OPT is pre-completion vs. post-completion OPT and must be either full vs. part time.

Undergraduate level OPT direct relationship example 1. Engineering

Employer information, position title, and type of employment: Working full time as an Electrical Engineer at ABC Corp.

Graduate level OPT direct relationship example 1. Computer Science

Employer information, position title, and type of employment: Working as a Computer and Information Research Scientist at ABC Research Institute.

Graduate level OPT direct relationship example 2. Kinesiology

Employer information, position title, and type of employment: Working 25 hours weekly for self-Made Inc. as a consultant.

How long does it take to report OPT?

If you are on 12-month OPT after graduation, you must report your OPT employment and any other changes of status within 10 days via the SEVP portal . Report the following:

How often do you submit a STEM OPT report?

3 Submit a STEM OPT report every six months. Your first report is due six months after the start date of your STEM EAD. You must submit the reports within 10 days of the due date. Learn more about your required STEM OPT reports below.

What is an OPT extension?

Any employment changes (ending a job, changing jobs) Names and addresses of all OPT employers. Start and end dates of all OPT employment. You decide to leave the United States, so you will not start or continue your OPT STEM extension.

How long after STEM EAD do you have to confirm your address?

Six months after the start of your STEM EAD, you must confirm your personal address and employer information. Even if there has been no change in your situation, you must complete the OPT Employment Report.

How many days can you go without work while on STEM?

While on STEM OPT, you can have no more than 150 days without employment. The total of 150 days includes any days of unemployment that accrued during the time you were on regular OPT.

How many hours do you have to work to get into STEM OPT?

Employment must be paid. Employment must be over 20 hours per week. Employment must be directly related to your course of study. Limitation on Unemployment for the STEM OPT Extension.

How many days can you get unemployment in STEM OPT?

Limitation on Unemployment for the STEM OPT Extension. Students approved for the 24-month STEM OPT extension may not accrue more than a total of 150 days of unemployment throughout their entire 36 months on OPT.