OPT Reporting (OPT and STEM Extension)

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.

If possible, obtain a signed letter from your hiring official, supervisor, or manager stating how your degree is related to the work performed.

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. 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.

You must submit a report every 6 months from your STEM EAD start date even if your employment information has remained the same. Refer to Types of STEM OPT Reports in Step 1 below.

The total of 150 days includes any days of unemployment that accrued during your period of Post-Completion OPT

Keep a record of all your employment. Maintain evidence — for each job — of the position held, proof of the duration of that position, the job title, contact information for the your supervisor or manager, and a description of the work. If possible, obtain a signed letter from your hiring official, supervisor, or manager stating how your degree is related to the work performed.

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.

Check here for information about E-Verify.