Unemployment Day Rule
Students on STEM Extension OPT may have up to 150 days of unemployment. Unemployment days are cumulative between both your initial 12-month OPT and your STEM OPT. For example, if you used 30 days of unemployment during your initial 12-month OPT, you would have a balance of 120 unemployment days left during your STEM OPT Extension period.
Unemployment days are counted from the ‘Valid From’ date on your EAD card. Students who exceed 150 days of unemployment are in violation of their F-1 visa status. There is no 60-day grace period after the 150th day of unemployment.
If you accumulate 150 days or more of unemployment, you are in violation of your F-1 status. You are expected to leave the U.S., transfer to another school, or change your visa status on or before the 150th day.
Approved vacation from a job does not count as "unemployment" if you are still considered an employee there.
Employment Requirements while on STEM OPT
Initial OPT and STEM OPT Employment Requirements are different! It's important to be aware of these to assure you remain in status.
- A job that is directly related to the student’s major area of study as listed on the I-20. If the relationship between the job and a student's field of study is called into question by USCIS in the future, the burden of proof is on the student to demonstrate the relationship.
- At least 20 hours per week; this is considered full-time employment. If work is less than full-time, it counts toward a student’s 150 days of unemployment.
- If the job has a variable schedule, within a month, it must average out to at least 20 hours per week. Each job should be marked as "full-time" (at least 20 hours per week or more) or "part-time" (less than 20 hours per week).
- Must be paid (Volunteer employment and unpaid internships are not allowed on STEM OPT)
- Students on STEM OPT should keep all records of employment.
- Employer must be enrolled in the E-Verify program.
Keep Your SEVP Portal & I-20 Updated
You are required to submit any employment or address updates within 10 days of the change.
Below is a chart of some of the changes you may need to do while on STEM OPT and how to update it successfully.
| Description of Change | SEVP Portal Updates Needed | Documents to send to your DSO kveloz@ucmerced.edu |
Updated I-20? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Changing STEM Employers | 1. Report the end date of your current employer 2. Upload the new employer information and report your start date |
1. The I-983 (p. 5 Final Evaluation filled out) for your previous employer |
Yes, you'll recieve an updated I-20 |
| Adding a New Employer | 1. Upload the new employer information and report your start date. | 1. The I-983 (p.1-4) for your new employer | Yes, you'll recieve an updated I-20 |
| Ending Current Employer (No New Employer Yet) |
1. Report the end date of your current employer | 1. The I-983 (p. 5 Final Evaluation filled out) for your previous employer | Yes, you'll recieve an updated I-20 |
| Changes to your employment that would change the information on your I-983 | 1. Update any changes necessary | 1. The I-983 (p.1-4) for your updated employment | No, you'll not recieve an update I-20 |
| Changes to your address or phone number | 1. Update any changes necessary | None | No, you'll not recieve an update I-20 |
|
Completing your STEM OPT early due to departing the U.S./Change of Status/Transferring to a new program |
1. Report the end date of your current employer | 1. The I-983 (p. 5 Final Evaluation filled out) for your employer 2. Plane ticket showing departure from the U.S./I-797 approval of new status/Letter of admission to new program |
No, you'll not recieve an update I-20 |
STEM OPT Reporting Requirements Every 6 Months
Federal regulations require all STEM OPT students to confirm that their personal and employment information in the SEVP Portal is accurate every six months.
You will receive an email reminder directly from the SEVP Portal about 30 days before each validation report is due. You can also log in to your SEVP Portal account at any time to view a chart showing your upcoming validation report due dates.
Please note that you are responsible for submitting your validation reports on time—failure to do so may result in your SEVIS record being terminated.
You will submit your validation report by emailing your DSO and confirming that you have updated any needed information in your SEVP Portal.
Your validation report is due at 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months after the start date of your STEM OPT.
6 Month Validation Report —
Confirm SEVP Portal Information Only
12 Month Validation Report —
Confirm SEVP Portal Information + Email the "Evaluation on Student Progress" section (top half of page 5) of the I-983
18 Month Validation Report —
Confirm SEVP Portal Information Only
24 Month Validation Report —
Confirm SEVP Portal Information + Email the "Final Evaluation" section (bottom half of page 5) of the I-983
Traveling on Approved OPT
To reenter the U.S. after international travel, you must carry the following documents:
- Valid Passport – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your reentry to the U.S.
- Valid F-1 Visa – Your F-1 visa must be unexpired at the time of reentry. If your visa has expired, you will need to apply for a new one while abroad. Please note that obtaining a new F-1 visa during OPT can be challenging, as U.S. consulates may question your nonimmigrant intent.
- STEM OPT I-20 with a Travel Signature – You must have your most recent I-20 with an OPT recommendation and a valid travel signature on page 2. For students on STEM OPT, travel signatures are valid for only six months (instead of 12 months for enrolled F-1 students).
- Original STEM OPT EAD Card – Your Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) is required to prove that you are authorized for employment under OPT.
- Proof of Employment (Recommended) – Carry a job offer letter or employment verification letter from your current or future employer. This provides evidence of the purpose of your reentry and can help at the port of entry.
Students are strongly encouraged to plan travel carefully during OPT and, if visa renewal is necessary, to contact the U.S. consulate in their home country in advance to understand the local process and requirements.
