STEM OPT Validation Report (6-Month Rules)
Students on the STEM OPT extension must confirm their personal details, employer, and employment status with their school’s DSO at months 6, 12, 18, and 24, even when nothing has changed. Send each confirmation within 10 business days of its due date. At months 12 and 24, submit the required Form I-983 evaluation as well.
The deadlines can feel easy to mix up, especially when a validation and an evaluation fall at the same time. Missing one, or assuming your employer will report for you, can put your F-1 status at risk. Use the steps below to confirm what is due, when to send it, and what proof to keep. Your school’s process may set an earlier internal deadline, so check with your DSO.
Who must complete STEM OPT validations?
A validation is a required check-in with your designated school official, or DSO. It confirms your name, home and mailing addresses, employer name and address, and employment status. Students on the 24-month STEM OPT extension must complete one every six months, including when all reported details remain the same.
The requirement applies to students whose STEM OPT extension is based on a qualifying STEM degree and who meet the extension’s other conditions. Federal rules and school procedures both matter. Your DSO can confirm the dates and submission method that apply to your record.
STEM OPT eligibility generally depends on a qualifying degree listed on the Department of Homeland Security’s STEM Designated Degree Program List, an eligible U.S. institution, and employment that meets STEM OPT rules. The employer must participate in E-Verify, and the training must relate to the student’s STEM degree. The student and employer must also complete Form I-983, the formal training plan.
Check eligibility and dates before you build your reporting calendar:
- Find your degree’s CIP code on your school records and check it against the DHS STEM degree list.
- Confirm with your DSO that the degree and institution qualify for the extension.
- Use the STEM OPT start date shown on your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to plan the four reporting points.
- Ask your DSO how to submit validations and evaluations, and whether the school has an earlier internal deadline.
What are the four validation dates and submission windows?
The validation schedule is based on the start of your STEM OPT authorization. You must report at months 6, 12, 18, and 24. For each validation, send the required information to your DSO within 10 business days after the reporting date. The DSO records the validation in SEVIS, the federal student record system.
| Point in STEM OPT | What to submit | Federal timing |
|---|---|---|
| Month 6 | Personal details, employer details, employment status | Within 10 business days after the reporting date |
| Month 12 | Validation and 12-month Form I-983 evaluation | Validation within 10 business days; evaluation within 10 days after the evaluation period ends |
| Month 18 | Personal details, employer details, employment status | Within 10 business days after the reporting date |
| Month 24 | Validation and final Form I-983 evaluation | Validation within 10 business days; evaluation within 10 days after the evaluation period ends |
Business days are not the same as calendar days. The validation window uses business days; the evaluation deadline is 10 days after the evaluation period ends. Do not treat the two deadlines as interchangeable. If your STEM OPT ends early, you generally still need to submit the final evaluation within 10 days of the end of your training.
At month 12 and month 24, a validation does not replace the I-983 evaluation. On the other hand, the evaluation does not replace the validation. You need to complete both when both are due.
How do you prepare each report?
A complete report is accurate, timely, and supported by records you can retrieve later. Before submitting, compare your information with your current Form I-983 and SEVIS details. Send the report through the method your school requires, then save proof of delivery and any confirmation from the DSO.
For each six-month validation:
- Confirm your full name, residential and mailing addresses, employer name and address, and employment status.
- Check that your current job still meets the STEM OPT requirements and matches the training plan.
- Submit the information through your school’s required form or portal.
- Keep a copy of what you sent, the submission date, and the DSO’s confirmation.
For the 12-month evaluation, complete the required student self-evaluation in Form I-983 and submit it to your DSO within 10 days after that evaluation period ends. At the 24-month point, submit the final evaluation within the same 10-day period. If you leave the program early, check with your DSO about the final evaluation deadline and SEVIS closeout.
I advise students to set reminders well before each due date, not on the last day of the reporting window. A calendar reminder gives you time to correct an address or resolve a question about a form. Keep the signed I-983, EAD, employer details, submitted reports, and confirmations together in a secure folder.
What changes must you report between validations?
A six-month validation is not the only time you may need to contact your DSO. Report changes to personal or employment information within 10 days. When a change affects the training plan, an updated Form I-983 may be required. Contact the DSO promptly rather than assuming the next six-month check-in will cover it.
Report changes such as:
- A new home or mailing address.
- A change in employer name or worksite address.
- A change in employment status, including a job ending.
- A material change in the training plan or supervision.
A material change is one that affects key parts of the training arrangement described in the I-983. Examples may include a major change in duties, hours, or supervision. Ask your DSO whether the change requires a revised I-983 before relying on the existing plan.
If you change employers, do not assume that notifying your old or new manager is enough. Contact your DSO and follow the school’s instructions for reporting the change and completing the required training-plan paperwork. Keep records of the dates you worked and the dates you notified the school.
Are your job and training plan still compliant?
STEM OPT employment must be directly related to the qualifying STEM degree, with at least 20 hours of work per week and an employer that participates in E-Verify. The employer must provide the training and supervision described in the I-983. A title alone does not show whether a role meets these conditions; the duties and training plan matter.
Use this check when reviewing your job:
| Check | What to confirm | If it does not match |
|---|---|---|
| Degree connection | Your work uses or builds on knowledge from the STEM degree | Ask your DSO how to document the link |
| Weekly hours | The qualifying employment meets the 20-hour weekly minimum | Contact your DSO promptly |
| Employer | The employer participates in E-Verify | Confirm with the employer and DSO |
| Training plan | Duties, supervision, and learning goals remain accurate | Ask whether an updated I-983 is required |
| Employment status | Your current job status matches what you report | Report a change within 10 days |
Students must also track unemployment days. The total unemployment limit for post-completion OPT and the STEM OPT extension combined is 150 days. Keep a dated record of employment start and end dates so you can calculate any gaps. If you are unsure how a gap counts, ask your DSO rather than estimating.
What do common reporting situations look like?
These examples are illustrative; your school’s guidance and the facts of your case determine what to do. They show why a validation and an evaluation should be tracked as separate tasks, even when they fall in the same month.
- No changes at month 6: Submit the validation anyway. “No change” does not remove the reporting requirement.
- Same employer at month 12: Submit both the validation and the 12-month I-983 evaluation by their respective deadlines.
- New address between check-ins: Notify the DSO within 10 days, then make sure the next validation shows the correct address.
- Job duties change: Ask the DSO whether the training plan is materially different and needs an updated I-983.
- Employment ends early: Report the change promptly, track unemployment days, and ask about the final evaluation and record closeout.
What happens if you miss a deadline?
A missed validation or evaluation can create a compliance problem, and inaccurate SEVIS or I-983 information can raise further concerns. Do not assume that a late report will be accepted automatically or that an informal conversation corrects the record. Contact your DSO as soon as you realize a deadline was missed, explain what happened, and follow the school’s instructions.
If a report is approaching, submit it early enough to fix errors. If you have already sent it, retain the timestamp or receipt. If the school’s portal is unavailable or you cannot complete a form, document the issue and contact the DSO promptly. Only the DSO can confirm what action is appropriate for your record.
Key takeaway: Put all four validations, both evaluations, and the 10-day change-reporting duty on your calendar. Keep written proof of submissions and follow your school’s instructions. These steps help keep your reported information aligned with your job and training plan.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to submit a validation if nothing has changed?
Yes. You must confirm your details and employment status at months 6, 12, 18, and 24 even when there are no changes.
When is a six-month validation due?
Submit it to your DSO within 10 business days after the applicable reporting date. Ask your school whether it requires an earlier submission.
Do I submit an evaluation at month 6?
No. The required I-983 self-evaluation is due at month 12, and the final evaluation is due at month 24 or when the training ends early.
Are the month-12 validation and evaluation the same report?
No. They are separate requirements. Submit the validation and the I-983 evaluation, each within its own deadline.
Is the evaluation deadline 10 business days?
No. Submit the evaluation within 10 days after the evaluation period ends. The validation deadline is 10 business days after its reporting date.
How soon must I report an address or job change?
Report changes to personal or employment information to your DSO within 10 days. Ask whether the change also requires an updated Form I-983.
What if I change employers?
Contact your DSO promptly. Follow the school’s instructions for reporting the new employment and updating the training plan before relying on old paperwork.
How many unemployment days can I use?
The combined unemployment limit for post-completion OPT and the STEM OPT extension is 150 days. Track employment gaps carefully and ask your DSO how a specific period applies.
Does my employer submit the validation for me?
No. The student is responsible for reporting to the DSO. The employer’s role in the training plan does not replace your validation duty.
Where should I verify a rule or deadline?
Check with your DSO and consult the DHS STEM OPT Hub, USCIS STEM OPT extension guidance, the Form I-983 instructions, and 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(C). Your school can confirm its submission process and dates.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Christopher Langston. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
