/Office of Global Affairs
Visa and Immigration Services

Reporting & Employment Requirements

While on OPT or STEM OPT, you must follow specific reporting and employment rules to maintain your F-1 status. You are responsible for following these guidelines and meeting reporting requirements on time. Failing to follow these rules may result in loss of status or impact future immigration benefits.

Post-Completion OPT Employment Requirements

  • You must have your EAD card in hand and your authorized start date must be reached before you begin working. USCIS confirms the requirement of having the EAD in hand prior to starting any employment.
  • Approval notices are not work authorization, as written on the notice.
  • All employment must be:
    • At least 21 hours per week (full-time)
    • Directly related to your major(s) and degree level
  • You may work for multiple employers at the same time
Types of Acceptable Employment

You may engage in different types of employment, as long as each position meets OPT requirements:

  • Paid employment
  • Multiple short-term employers (e.g., performing artists, contract-based work)
  • Work for hire (1099/contract work)
    • Keep records of contracts, dates, and employer information
  • Self-employment/business ownership
    • You must have proper business licenses and be actively working in your field
  • Employment through an agency or consultancy
    • You must work an average of at least 21 hours per week
  • Unpaid employment
    • Must be at least 21 hours per week
    • Must follow U.S. labor laws
    • Cannot replace a paid position that should normally be compensated
Evidence of Employment

It is strongly recommended you keep evidence of every job you do, as you may be asked for documentation when reporting employment, during travel or for future immigration applications.

  • Offer letters and contracts
  • Job descriptions (duties, hours, location, pay)
  • Pay stubs and bank statements
  • W-2 tax forms
  • Project documentation (if applicable)

  • Agreements or training plans
  • Work schedules and time records
  • Documentation of duties and projects
  • Proof of training or certifications

Unpaid roles must be designed as unpaid from the beginning and must comply with labor laws.

Reporting Requirements on Post-Completion OPT

You must report any change to employment within 10 calendar days of when it occurs.

  • Employment updates:
    • Submit the Add or Update OPT Employment e-form for all of the following:
      • First employment
      • Changes to current employment
      • Additional employment
      • End or interruption of employment
  • Contact information
    • Submit the Contact Information e-form under Biographical Information
  • Name changes
    • Submit the Immigration Document Update e-form with proof of your new legal name
  • Address changes
    • Update your Local (Off-Campus) Address in SOLAR

You will continue to have access to SOLAR after graduation. If your NetID is deactivated (about 200 days after your last enrollment), you can login to accessVIS by using Limited Services Access.

When reporting your employment, you must show a clear and logical connection between your job duties and your major field of study. 
  • You will provide this explanation when reporting employment in accessVIS (VIS provides a template you can use).
  • The exact wording is stored in your SEVIS record

You are responsible for proving this connection if questioned in the future. VIS cannot advise you on specifically which jobs do/do not qualify as we are not experts in your field of study.

You are eligible to work on campus at Stony Brook as long as the work is:

  • The position is directly related to your degree
  • You work at least 21 hours per week

You cannot begin this work, even if it is unpaid, until you receive your EAD and the start date has begun.

Your work at Stony Brook may be paid or unpaid, where this practice does not violate any labor laws. If the position you're performing is volunteer or unpaid, it should be intended as an unpaid role from the start. It is a violation of U.S. federal labor laws for an employer to permit you to work in an unpaid capacity in a position which is normally compensated for similar workers.

As a policy you must report the position to VIS through accessVIS, and upload a letter of offer signed by the Department Chair or Dean on letterhead detailing the following:

  • Description of your specific duties
  • Dates of employment (begin and end dates)
  • Number of hours of work per week
  • Physical address of the employment (do not use P.O. Box)
  • Name of your supervisor

STEM OPT Extension Employment Requirements

All employment during your STEM OPT must meet the following requirements:

  • You must be paid
  • Your job must be directly related to your STEM degree
  • You must work at least 21 hours per week
  • Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify
  • You must have a completed and signed Form I-983 Training Plan
  • You must maintain a bona fide employer–employee relationship (your employer must provide supervision and training)

It is important to keep evidence of every job you do, as you may be asked for documentation when reporting employment, during travel or for future immigration applications.

Your job must have a clear and direct connection to your STEM degree.

When you report your employment:

  • You must explain how your job duties relate to your field of study
  • Your explanation will be recorded in your SEVIS record

You are responsible for proving this relationship if it is reviewed in the future. VIS cannot determine whether a specific job qualifies.

You should keep documentation such as:

  • Job title and detailed duties
  • Supervisor or manager contact information
  • A signed letter from your employer explaining how your work relates to your degree

Clear and detailed documentation will help you demonstrate that your employment meets STEM OPT requirements.

You may work for more than one employer at the same time while on STEM OPT. Each job must meet all STEM OPT employment requirements.

You must report any changes to your employment within 10 calendar days through accessVIS.

You cannot be self-employed during your STEM OPT period.

Your employer must:

  • Sign your Form I-983
  • Provide supervision and training

You cannot sign your own Form I-983 or act as your own employer.

Employment through a consulting firm or staffing agency may not qualify for STEM OPT. This is because the company providing your training must also be your employer.

You should:

  • Confirm that your employer provides direct supervision and training
  • Ensure the employer signing your Form I-983 is the same employer overseeing your work

You should keep documentation that explains how your employment meets STEM OPT requirements. You may be asked to provide this information during your application or in the future.

Reporting Requirements on STEM OPT Extension

While on STEM OPT, you must report changes and complete required reports to maintain your F-1 status. Most updates must be submitted within 10 calendar days of the change.

You are responsible for meeting all reporting deadlines and keeping your information accurate. Missing deadlines or failing to report required changes may result in loss of F-1 status.

Report Changes to Employment

You must report all employment changes through accessVIS using the Add or Update STEM OPT Employment e-form under STEM OPT Checklist.

Ending Employment

If your employment ends, you must submit:

  • A completed and signed Final Evaluation of Student Progress (bottom of page 5 of Form I-983)
  • Within 10 days of your last day of employment
Starting a New Employer

For each new employer, you must:

  • Submit a new Form I-983 (pages 1–4)
  • Ensure the form is completed and signed by you and your employer
  • Submit within 10 days of your start date (or earlier)
If Your I-765 is Pending

If your employment changes while your STEM OPT application is pending:

  • Report the change in accessVIS following the instructions above
  • Once approved, upload an updated I-20 in your myUSCIS account under “Unsolicited Evidence”

Report Material Changes to Your Form I-983

You must report any material changes to your Form I-983 within 10 days and submit an updated version through accessVIS.

Material changes may include:

  • Change in Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Change in worksite location
  • Reduction in compensation not tied to reduced hours
  • Significant decrease in weekly hours
  • Changes to job duties, training plan, or learning objectives

As long as you and your employer continue to meet STEM OPT requirements and submit updates on time, your authorization will remain valid.

Required STEM Reporting and Evaluations

You must report your participation every 6 months and complete required self-evaluations, even if your employment does not change.

Reporting Timeline

Your reporting schedule is based on your STEM OPT start date on your EAD card.

  • 6 Months: Submit the 6-Month STEM Reporting e-form
  • 12 Months: Submit the I-983 Annual Evaluation e-form, and include your Evaluation of Student Progress (top of page 5 of Form I-983), signed by you and your employer
  • 18 Months: Submit the 18-Month STEM Reporting e-form
  • 24 Months: Submit the I-983 Final Evaluation e-form, and include your Final Evaluation of Student Progress (bottom of page 5 of Form I-983), signed by you and your employer
Important Timing Rules
  • The reporting window opens 4 weeks before and closes 4 weeks after your due date
  • You must submit within this window or your report cannot be recorded in SEVIS
  • All submissions must be completed within 10 days of the reporting period

Submit all reports in accessVIS under the 24-month STEM OPT Extension checklist.

Additional Reporting Requirements

You must also report the following changes within 10 days:

  • Contact Information: Submit the Contact Information e-form in accessVIS
  • Name Change: Submit the Immigration Document Update e-form with proof of your new legal name
  • Address Change: Update your Local (Off-Campus) Address in SOLAR

You will continue to have access to SOLAR after graduation. If your NetID is deactivated, you can still log in and update your address.

Unemployment for OPT and STEM OPT

Limits
  • Post-Completion OPT: Up to 90 days
  • STEM OPT Extension: Up to 150 total days. When your STEM OPT is approved, you are granted an additional 60 days of unemployment, which is added to any unused unemployment days remaining from your Post-Completion OPT.
How Unemployment is Counted
  • Starts on the EAD start date
  • Counts every calendar day (including weekends and holidays)
  • Working fewer than 21 hours per week counts as unemployment
  • Time does not count while your I-765 is pending
Stopping the Unemployment Clock
  • Begin qualifying employment and report it
  • VIS can backdate your start date to match your actual first day of work
If You Exceed the Limit
  • There is no additional grace period
  • You risk:
    • Loss of F-1 status
    • SEVIS record termination
    • Denial of future immigration benefits

VIS recommends departing the U.S. before exceeding the limit.

Remote Work and Time Outside the U.S.

Remote Work
  • OPT and STEM OPT are U.S.-based work authorizations
  • Remote work is allowed only if:
    • You are working for a U.S.-based employer
  • Remote work from inside the U.S. for a non-U.S. employer is not permitted
  • Employment must require a physical presence in the U.S.
Time Outside the U.S.
  • You may be outside the U.S. for no more than 5 continuous months
  • Exceeding this may result in a violation of F-1 status and SEVIS termination

If working remotely abroad:

  • You must return within 5 months
  • You should keep proof of employer approval

Long periods (more than 2-3 weeks) of remote work outside the U.S. are not recommended unless travel is work-related.