Once You Are Approved for OPT

Reporting: SEVP Portal Account

• Use the SEVP Portal Account to report any changes to your address or employer within 10 days! Events to report include: start date, end date, new work location.
• You will receive an email from SEVP detailing how to set up your SEVP Portal Account.
• If you do not receive your notification:
  • Check your email junk/spam folders
  • Confirm with your DSO that the correct email address is in your SEVIS record
  • If the email on your record is incorrect, a DSO can submit a SEVIS correction
  • SEVP Portal Account Resources
    • Create an SEVP Portal Account
    • SEVP Portal Videos
    • SEVP Portal—Student Guide

Unemployment

• After 90 days of unemployment your record will be auto-terminated, and you will start accruing unlawful presence in the United States.
• If you are approaching 90 days of unemployment, know that you can volunteer 20 hours per week to maintain your status.
  • Volunteer positions cannot be compensated and cannot be in a position that would otherwise be paid.  
  • Volunteer positions should be reported in SEVP Portal Account like other employment information. Record that it is a volunteer position.
  • Failure to report employer information will be recorded as unemployment time!

Travel on OPT

Please understand that there are risks and challenges when traveling on OPT; however, if you decide to travel you should make sure your SEVP Portal Account is up to date and that you travel with all the following documentation:

• Passport valid for six months after your arrival date
• Valid F-1 visa (unless you are a Canadian citizen)
• I-20 with travel signature and updated OPT information
• I-797 receipt notice
• Evidence of job (letter from employer, pay stub, etc.)
• Valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card
• Evidence of financial support (strongly recommended)