If you are participating in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) optional practical training (OPT), you must regularly check in with your designated school official (DSO) throughout your training opportunity to maintain F-1 status.

You are required to check in with your DSO to validate Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) information and report changes made to your Form I-983, “Training Plan for STEM OPT Students.”

Every Six Months

Every six months for up to 24 months, you must confirm that your SEVIS information correctly identifies your:

• Legal name.
• Residential or mailing address.
• Employer name and address.
• Status of current employment.

If you use the SEVP Portal, the portal will send you a reminder 30 days before any validation report is due. Please note that you must report any changes in this information, including loss of employment, within 10 days of the change.

Every 12 Months

Every 12 months, you must submit a self-evaluation describing the progress of your training experience, in addition to validating your SEVIS information.

You must submit the following assessments no later than 10 days following the conclusion of the training period:

• Initial assessment 12 months after the STEM OPT start date, and a
• Final assessment that recaps the training and knowledge acquired during the complete, 24-month training period.

You and your employer must sign your self-evaluation report before you submit it to your DSO, who will include it in your record. For more information about the annual self-evaluation, visit the Students and the Form I-983 page. Your DSO must verify that you completed both your self-evaluations and your SEVIS validation reports.

For an overview of all of your reporting requirements as a STEM OPT student, visit the Students: STEM OPT Reporting Requirements page. For more information on the types of email notices you will receive, reference the SEVP Portal Email Notices to Students page.