International Student Services

STEM OPT Requirements

It is the student’s responsibility to know, understand and follow the rules and regulations about STEM OPT work authorization, as provided by USCIS.

1. Report Changes to your U.S. Address or Contact Information to SEVP within 10 days 

You must report these changes to SEVP directly by using your online SEVP Portal Account. It is likely that you already have an SEVP portal account from your previous OPT. If the portal is locked or you never accessed your portal, you can email us at uwbintl@uw.edu and we can help you.

2. Report Changes to Your Employment to ISS within 10 days

Submit a new I-983 Training Plan: The new I-983 must be submitted to ISS and then we will
update your employment information to SEVP. A new I-20 can be provided to you upon request.

A new I-983 Form is required if:

  • Changing employers
  • Any time there is a “material” change in the terms and conditions of the original I-983. These include, but not limited to, the following:
    • Change to the employer’s EIN
    • Any reduction in compensation from the amount previously stated on the form, which is not tied to a reduction in hours worked
    • Any significant decrease in hours per week that a student engages in a STEM training opportunity
    • Any decrease in hours below the 20 hours per week minimum requirement

3. Every 6-months, complete an Employment Validity Report 

You must confirm with SEVP every 6-months about your current employment information, even if it hasn’t changed. Please find this at your international student portal.

4. Self-Evaluation Report 1 (After the first 12 months (1 year) of the STEM OPT start date)

You must complete two self-evaluations during the course of your OPT STEM extension period. The evaluation must be signed by you and your immediate supervisor, and then submitted to the ISS office at uwbintl@uw.edu. The self-evaluation is the “Evaluation of Student Progress” portion of your Form I-983.

5. Self-Evaluation Report 2 (At the end of the STEM OPT)

You must complete two self-evaluations during the course of your OPT STEM extension period. The evaluation must be signed by you and your immediate supervisor, and then submitted to the ISS office at uwbintl@uw.edu . The self-evaluation is the “Evaluation of Student Progress” portion of your Form I-983.