STEM OPT Validation Report

STEM OPT students must submit a validation report at the 6-month and 18-month points of their STEM OPT period. The validation must be completed with the STEM employer for whom you are working at the time of the reporting requirement.

Instructions

1. Log in to your International Students & Scholars (ISS) Portal using the link below.
2. Navigate to (2) Personal & Program and confirm that your U.S. physical address is current.
   • If your address is not up to date, update your SEVIS Domestic Address in your CSUF Portal.
3. In the ISS Portal, go to (3) Requests & Documents and confirm that your STEM employment information is current.
   • If updates are needed, submit a Practical Training Employer Update with your most recent employment details.
4. Navigate to (3) Requests & Documents and open the STEM Validation Report.
   • Select either the 6-month or 18-month validation, as applicable.
   • Complete and submit the form.

Important

The address and employment information you report must match your Form I-983 Training Plan. If there have been any changes to the information listed on your I-983 (including compensation, employer official/supervisor, or employment site location), you must upload a modified I-983 (pages 1–4) reflecting those changes. Validation reports will not be processed until ISS receives the updated I-983, if applicable.

International Students and Scholars Portal 

 

Due Date: Submit to ISS within 10 days of the 6 month and 18 month mark of your STEM OPT period. To be considered on time, submission must be complete and accurate. 10-day deadline is for student submission to ISS only. ISS has an additional window to report validation to the Department of Homeland Security.

No updated I-20 will be issued after reporting

Sample Timeline

Post-Completion OPT End Date	6 Month Mark	10-day Deadline to Submit to ISS	ISS Reports to DHS and Sends Confirmation to Student
June 1, 2020	December 1, 2020	No Later than December 11, 2020	No Later than December 31, 2020

Post-Completion OPT End Date	18 Month Mark	10-day Deadline to Submit to ISS	ISS Reports to DHS and Sends Confirmation to Student
June 1, 2020	December 1, 2021	No Later than December 11, 2021	No Later than December 31, 2021