Maintaining Status on OPT and STEM OPT

In order to maintain your legal status on OPT and STEM OPT you are required to follow the below requirements:

1. Keep a valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
Students must have the EAD card in hand and the start date on EAD must have arrived before you begin any employment. In order to have a valid EAD card you must submit the relevant OPT or STEM OPT documents to the International Student Adviser and plan to attend one of several OPT Workshop Sessions at least 3 months prior to you anticipated OPT start date.

Report OPT Employment
SEVIS requires that institutions report a student’s change in legal name, change in address and change in non-immigrant status throughout the duration of your OPT. Upon receipt of the EAD, you must validate your information by emailing the Office of International Student & Scholar Services intlserv@stu.edu. Any changes in the previously listed information must be reported within 10 days. In addition, you must update your information within the sixth month of OPT.
Failure to do so will result in the termination of your OPT and SEVIS record.

Departure/Grace Period
OPT is a continuation of your F-1 student status. Upon completion of your OPT, you have 60 days to either:

• Change your nonimmigrant status to something other than F-1;
• Transfer your F-1 status to another U.S. college or university;
• Depart the United States.