International Students currently on F-1, Post OPT/STEM status

The F-1 Program Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Portal now limits how long students can access the SEVP Portal to six months after their Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM authorization ends.

In preparation for account closure, SEVP strongly encourages you to print or save a copy of your portal record for future reference, including your Event History.

Please note that students who are changing their immigration status will immediately lose access upon the effective date of their new status. So, for example, students changing their status to H-1B via a cap-subject change of status H-1B petition will lose access to the SEVP portal on October 1 of the year their H-1B petition was approved. Please plan accordingly, printing or saving a copy of your portal records prior to the loss of access.

For more information on this release and upcoming releases, visit the SEVP Portal Enhancements page on the SEVP Portal Help section of Study in the States. To view a copy of the emails you will receive, read the SEVP Portal Email Notices to Students.

We also recommend that you frequently visit the ISSO Employment section, https://www.uml.edu/ISSO/Employment/ to stay apprised of your regulatory requirements.
STEM status students are reminded that STEM employment can only be reported through ISSO through the submission of Form I-983.

On September 27, 2019, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program issued policy guidance, on the obligations of students and schools to document that there is a direct relationship between the student’s major field of study and the work the student does on Pre- or Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), and STEM OPT. Students are reminded to retain copies of job offer letters, payroll records, job descriptions and completed Form I-983 for STEM students. Post OPT Students registered with the SEVP Student Portal may continue to report their OPT information via the Portal. But they must also request a reprinted I-20 from ISSO, each time they report employer updates. The e-form will generate a new I-20 reflecting new employer information on page 2. When updating your SEVP portal information, always explain how the position is related to the field of study and commensurate to the degree level listed on your Post OPT I-20.

STEM students will report all employment updates through the submission of a Form I-983 to ISSO through the STEM Employment Reporting Tool. STEM students cannot report employment through the portal.

We encourage you to read through the Employment section of the ISSO site, https://www.uml.edu/ISSO/Employment/.