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BEFORE YOU REPORT
Now that your OPT has been approved, keep the following things in mind.
You begin to count days without employment from the start date on your EAD. It will include any days before the start date of your employment and any days between jobs.
Employment on Post-Completion OPT is paid or unpaid work in your field of study for at least 20 hours per week.
When reporting employment, you will need to explain how this job directly relates to your Columbia major / degree.
Example: I work as a job title for employer name. My duties include list your duties. At this job, I use list relevant skills/knowledge from your coursework, which directly relates to my Columbia degree name.
Reporting Requirements During Post-Completion OPT
You must report the following OPT employment updates and other changes no later than 10 days after the change.
If you obtain employment, this is the first report to use. You will be asked to upload a copy of your OPT EAD card.
The start date you report is the date you start working (not the date you receive or accept an offer of employment).
When asked for your employer name, please indicate the name of the company or organization that you work for (not the name of your supervisor or manager).
Use this report if you are ending employment with a previous employer and have a new employer. You will be asked for the end date of your previous employment and the start date of your new employment.
Use this report if you have already reported employment however your employer’s name or address has changed.
Use this report if you have already reported your first employment and are now adding or starting new employment.
Use this report if you are ending employment with a specific employer. You will be asked for the employer name and employment end date.
Use this report to notify the ISSO that you have departed the U.S. and will not use or resume OPT. The ISSO will permanently complete your F-1 SEVIS record.
Your Columbia I-20 can no longer be used to re-enter the US. Your EAD card will no longer be valid for employment. Your current F-1 SEVIS record will no longer be valid to transfer to another school or begin a new program. You may obtain a new I-20 via a new SEVIS record should you gain admission to an F-1 eligible program in the future. If applicable, any F-2 dependent record(s) will also be completed.
Only submit the "I have departed the U.S. and will not use/resume OPT" report after you have departed the U.S.
Use this report to notify the ISSO about your new approved status. The ISSO will permanently complete your F-1 SEVIS record. You will be asked for proof of your new immigration status.
How to Report During Post-Completion OPT
Log in to Compass to submit your updates and changes while on Post-Completion OPT.
After You Report
The SEVP Portal allows you to review your SEVIS record. You are required to report all employment updates to the ISSO. The ISSO will update your SEVIS record. You can confirm your OPT employment updates through the SEVP Portal.
The ISSO does not automatically provide an I-20 after OPT is approved or after OPT employment reports are submitted. Only if needed, you may request an updated I-20 that shows your approval and employer information by following the instructions on our I-20 Reprints page.
Keep a record of all your employment. For each job, maintain evidence of the job title, dates of employment, contact information for your supervisor, and a description of the work and how it is related to your program of study. It is useful to have these personal records available in case any questions arise during OPT or in a future employment-based application, such as H-1B.
If a change of your US address is the only update you need to report, go to the Change of Address page.
Review the documents required to re-enter the US as an F-1 student on OPT.
Check page 2 of your current I-20 and ensure the travel signature is dated within 6 months of your planned re-entry. If you require an updated I-20, you can request one by following the instructions on our I-20 Reprints page.