All students approved for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) are required to report to the International Services Office is any of the following change: 

• Legal name
• Residence or mailing address
• Contact information
• Employer name
• Employer address
• Status of employment (including termination, promotion, etc.)

Students must submit the OPT Employment Information Online Form to report any changes in employment within 10 days. Included in the form, students must also upload a photo or scan of their EAD card and a job offer letter of their current employer (including start date, number of hours per week, company name and address)

Students on OPT must continue to report any changes in their residential address, phone number, and email address within 10 days of any changes by submitting the Personal Information Update Form.

Failure to properly report employment or personal information updates in a timely manner can result in the termination of the work authorization period, loss of legal F-1 status, and may result in ineligibility for further work authorization applications.

Students approved for a STEM extension of OPT have additional reporting obligations. Required information must be submitted to ISO so it may be updated in SEVIS. 

Travel outside of the U.S. while my OPT application is PENDING

Prior to the program end date listed on the I-20, students can travel outside of the U.S. while their OPT application is pending and return to the U.S. with minimal risk as long as they return prior to the program end date. However, after graduation, ISO strongly discourages students from traveling outside of the United States while their Post-Completion OPT application is pending approval.  

Travel outside the U.S. after my OPT application is APPROVED

Once the OPT application is approved and the student has received their EAD card, they may travel outside of the United States, as long as they have the appropriate documents when re-entering the U.S. Students approved for OPT will need the following to re-enter the U.S. after international travel:

• The most recent Form I-20 with a valid travel signature (valid for 6 months while on OPT);
• A valid passport;
• A valid F-1 visa;
• A valid EAD card; 
• It is recommended to have a letter from your employer proving that you are returning to a job in the United States.

If you do not have all of this documentation or you need to renew your visa there is an additional risk with travel. Please consult the ISO before traveling.

F-1 visa regulations allow students to apply for OPT without having an employer. For students who remain in the United States on Post-Completion OPT, their legal status depends on being employed. Students on post-completion OPT may NOT accrue more than 90 days of unemployment within the approved dates of OPT as listed on the Employment Authorization Document (EAD). OPT employment includes volunteer work, internships and part-time employment that equals a minimum of 20 hours per week. All OPT employment must be related to the student’s degree program.

If a student fails to report OPT employment information to the ISO, the student could be considered in violation of F-1 immigration status by the Department of Homeland Security. 

On March 23, 2018, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) launched the SEVP Portal for F-1 students participating in Post-Completion OPT. The portal allows F-1 students on post-completion OPT to report personal and employer information directly to SEVP. Through the portal, students will be able to:

• Add or edit their phone number.
• Add or edit their mailing and physical address. 
• Add or edit your employer information.

Students will receive an email with instructions from SEVP shortly after their OPT has been adjudicated by USCIS. The email will include a link to set up an account. Do not delay in doing this as the link has a time limit. Students can find information about the SEVIS Student Portal on Study in the States website here, as well as the instructions for creating a login here. 

Students can choose to update their information in the SEVP portal, but they MUST provide all employment and personal information updates to the ISO as well via the OPT Employment Information Form (for changes in employment) or Personal Information Update Form (for address or contact information changes only).