STEM OPT Reporting

12 months after your STEM OPT EAD card’s start date, use Compass to report your current U.S. address. 

You and your employer will also need to complete your Evaluation of Student Progress.

The Evaluation of Student Progress can be found on the top half of page 5 of the I-983 STEM OPT Training Plan. 

18 months after your STEM OPT EAD card’s start date, use Compass to report your current U.S. address and confirm your employer information. 

24 months after your STEM OPT EAD card’s start date, use Compass to report the end of your OPT STEM Extension authorization period. 

You and your employer will need to complete your Final Evaluation. 

The Final Evaluation can be found on the bottom half of page 5 of the I-983 STEM OPT Training Plan. 

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.

For your previous employer, you and your previous employer will need to complete your Final Evaluation. The Final Evaluation can be found on the bottom half of page 5 of the I-983 STEM OPT Training Plan. 

For your new employer, you and your new employer will need to complete a new Training Plan. This will require pages 1-4 of the I-983 STEM OPT Training Plan. 

If you are only adding a new employer, you will Report your Additional Employer. 

If you are only ending employment, you will Report your Employment Ended.

Use this report if you have an additional employer. 

You and your additional employer will need to complete a new Training Plan. This will require pages 1-4 of the I-983 STEM OPT Training Plan. 

Use this report if you are ending employment with an employer. 

You and your employer will need to complete your Final Evaluation. The Final Evaluation can be found on the bottom half of page 5 of the I-983 STEM OPT Training Plan. 

Use this report to notify the ISSO that you have departed the U.S. and will not use or resume STEM 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 this report after you have departed the U.S.

You and your employer will need to complete your Final Evaluation. The Final Evaluation can be found on the bottom half of page 5 of the I-983 STEM OPT Training Plan. 

Use this report to notify the ISSO about your new approved status. The ISSO will permanently complete your F-1 SEVIS record. 

You and your employer will need to complete your Final Evaluation. The Final Evaluation can be found on the bottom half of page 5 of the I-983 STEM OPT Training Plan. 

You will also be asked for proof of your new immigration status (e.g. I-94 Arrival Record indicating your new status; I-797 Change of Status Approval Notice; Permanent Resident Card).

Use this report if there are any changes to your learning objectives or your employer’s commitments as documented on your I-983 STEM OPT Training Plan.

This can also include changes related to your Employer Identification Number (EIN), compensation, hours worked per week, or your employer's name or address.