STEM OPT Extension Reporting

• Changes may be reported at any time PRIOR to the change occurring, and up to 10 days AFTER the change occurs.
  • Such changes include, but are not limited to:
    • End of employment (whether for a change in jobs, change of immigration status, or transfer of SEVIS record)
    • Employment address change, or a change of work location
    • Change of employment to add a new employer/company
• Students with STEM OPT Extension authorization must submit an employment report verifying their current employment information/status every 6 months during the STEM OPT Extension period.
  • ​This report is required every 6 months after the STEM OPT Employment start date listed on the EAD card.
  • 6 month employment reporting must be submitted within 10 days of the 6 month deadline, and may be submitted up to 10 days prior. 
• STEM OPT students must report employment through myGlobal International Student Portal.
  • All STEM OPT reports and changes require a completed I-983.
  • Students will receive an email communication when the STEM OPT report has been approve by OGI.
• USCIS allows school officials up to 21 days to submit employment information following student submission. 
  • OGI will submit all information within the required timeframe once it is properly submitted following the instructions provided on this page.
  • There is no need to contact OGI to inquire about the status of your employment reporting. We will process this submission within the required timeframe.
• **The SEVP Portal can not be used to report employment changes after you have requested a STEM OPT Extension application from OGI.**
  • If you are nearing the end of your initial 12 months of OPT and are changing employment, you should enter this PRIOR to submitting your application for STEM OPT Extension to OGI.
  • It is strongly recommended that you make sure all of your employment information is up to date and correct in the SEVP Portal PRIOR to submitting the STEM Extension Application to OGI. Failure to do so may cause delays in processing your application and issuing documents.
  • If you change employment after OGI has issued you a STEM OPT Extension requested Form I-20, but prior to submitting this application to USCIS, then you must submit a *new* application for the STEM OPT Extension (minus the $200 money order) to OGI. OGI will update your records and issue you a Form I-20 for the STEM OPT Extension with your new employment information.
  • If you change employment while your STEM OPT Extension application is pending with USCIS (after you have submitted your application to USCIS), even if your initial OPT authorization has not ended, you must follow the instructions for reporting STEM OPT employment in order to properly submit your change of employment information.

• It is your responsibility to keep track of every 6-month deadline from the start date of your STEM EAD card.
  • For example: if your STEM EAD card start date is 2/15/17, you are required to report on 8/15/2017, 2/15/2018, 8/15/2018, and 2/14/2019.
• OGI cannot submit late 6 month reports to SEVIS.
  • Failure to meet the 6 month deadline results in no 6 month report entered in your SEVIS record.
  • There is no "correction" available for this. If a report is missed, the student must submit the next required report in a timely manner in order to comply with federal requirements.
• You must submit 6 month STEM reports even if there haven't been any changes in your employment.
• An updated I-983 must be submitted at the time when you enter information in your myGlobal student portal for all change/end of employment, and 12&24 month reporting. 
  • Entries submitted without a corresponding I-983 will be rejected.

All STEM OPT reporting must be submitted to the OGI through the myGlobal International Student Portal.

• OGI advisers have 21 days to update your SEVIS record from the day of your submission. Please do not email OGI to check on the status of your update before 21 days.
• Students must submit ALL required forms for the STEM OPT reporting to be complete.
  • Failure to submit all (3) required forms will result in an incomplete submission, and the OGI cannot review your information.

• You may request a reprint via the myGlobal  International Student Portal after your information has been updated and your report has been approved by OGI. 
  • All document requests to the OGI may take up to 7 business days for processing. 
    • If you request an updated I-20 before you have received the automated email confirmation that your information was updated, then your reprinted I-20 will not include your most recent employment changes.

• Submit page 5 of form I-983 every 12 months. This self- evaluation must be signed by your current supervisor.
  • Evaluation of Student Progress (top of I-983) for 12 month reporting.
  • Final Evaluation of Student progress (bottom of I-983) for 24 month/final reporting
    • Complete your final report your myGlobal student portal and submit the I983 as required, even if your end date has already passed.
• If substantial changes occur in your employment, but you are continuing with the same employer:
  • Submit an entirely new I-983
  • Report changes through your myGlobal student portal.
• If you change employers:
  • Submit a new I-983 completed with information about your new employment and signed by your new supervisor through your myGlobal student portal
  • You are also required to submit page 5 of the I-983 (final evaluation) signed by your former supervisor when you end your employment.

FAQ about STEM OPT Reporting

Can I change employers while on STEM OPT?
Yes. You must report the end of the previous employment and submit the evaluation (page 5 of the I-983) signed by your old supervisor. You must also submit a new I-983 signed by your new supervisor. You must report the new employment in your myGlobal student portal. The new employment must meet all the requirements for STEM OPT Employment.

Can I change employers while my STEM OPT application is pending with USCIS?
Yes, but we recommend against it. Changing employers while STEM is pending requires you to submit a new I-983 to be approved by OGI, and we will need to reissue your Form I-20 and send it to the Service Center processing your application. Changing employers while your STEM application is pending may delay USCIS processing of your application. 

If you choose to change employers while your STEM OPT application is pending with USCIS, then you must follow the instructions for submitting STEM OPT employment reporting, as outlined under the 24 Month STEM OPT tab on this page. Additionally, send an email to global@njit.edu with the subject line, "change of employer, STEM extension pending." Include in the email your STEM extension receipt number from USCIS, the end date of your previous employer, a new I-765 form and a new I-983 form. Your DSO will then update your SEVIS record and send your new information to USCIS on your behalf.

Do not make any changes in your SEVP portal once you have been issued a STEM OPT extension requested form I-20. All updated employment information must be submitted as per STEM OPT reporting requirements outlined on this page. 

How many times do I have to submit the evaluation (page 5 of the I-983)?
You are required to submit the top part of page I-983 after 12 months of STEM OPT and at the end of your 24 month STEM OPT. Additionally, if you change employers, you must submit an evaluation at the end of the employment signed by your old supervisor.

Can I have more than one employer while on STEM OPT?
Yes, as long as all employment with all employers meets STEM OPT employment requirements. You will be required to report all employment in your myGlobal student portal, and all employers must sign an I-983. This means if you have 2 employers while on STEM OPT, you will have to submit 2 I-983's to OGI.

How many times do I have to report when on 24 month STEM OPT?
Federal regulations require you to report to your school every 6 months while on STEM OPT. You must report no sooner than 15 days before and no later than 21 days after each 6-month reporting due date.

Your due date is based on the start date of your STEM OPT period. In a typical full 24-month STEM OPT extension, there will be four report due-dates:

• 6 months after the STEM OPT employment start date
• 12 months after the STEM OPT employment start date
• 18 months after the STEM OPT employment start date
• 24 months after the STEM OPT employment start date

It is your responsibility to keep track of these dates and report accordingly. Remember to also update your local address in the Highlander Pipeline if you have moved.

I need/want a reprint of my Form I-20 with my new employer information listed on page 2. How can I request this updated Form I-20?

You may request a reprint via the Google Request Form after your information has been updated, and you have received the automated email indicating your employment has been updated. 

All document requests to the OGI may take up to 7 business days for processing. If you request an updated I-20 before you have received the automated email confirmation that your information was updated, then your reprinted I-20 will not include your most recent employment changes.