{"id":9942,"date":"2022-07-21T12:12:31","date_gmt":"2022-07-21T22:12:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/issmanoa\/?page_id=9942"},"modified":"2025-07-24T11:16:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T21:16:10","slug":"opt-approval-and-reporting","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/issmanoa\/?page_id=9942","title":{"rendered":"OPT Reporting Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Pre-Completion OPT<\/h2>\n

After Submitting Application - Approval<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. USCIS will inform you when your OPT has been approved, and that your EAD is being created.<\/li>\n
  2. USCIS will inform you that the EAD has been mailed to you via USPS, and will provide you with a tracking number.<\/li>\n
  3. There is a limit of how long your EAD may remain in your mailbox before USPS returns it to USCIS. Therefore, you should make sure you or someone you trust is checking your mail.<\/li>\n
  4. Once you have your card:\n
      \n
    1. Submit an ISS Request<\/a> for category \"Update Record\/Status.<\/strong>\"<\/li>\n
    2. For Update Reason, choose \"OPT Approved.\"<\/strong><\/li>\n
    3. Select Document Title\u00a0\"I-766, Employment Authorization Document.\"<\/strong><\/li>\n
    4. Upload images of your document for confirmation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
    5. You may begin work on the date that your OPT starts, or when you receive the card, whichever is later. You may not begin work if you have not received your card.<\/li>\n
    6. If you applied for a Social Security Number through the I-765, you should receive it within about two weeks of your OPT start date.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Reporting Requirements<\/h3>\n

      There are no specific reporting requirements for Pre-Completion OPT. There is no limit to days of unemployment. Any violations to status automatically ends OPT.<\/p>\n

      \n

      Post-Completion OPT<\/h2>\n

      After Submitting Application - Approval<\/h3>\n
        \n
      1. USCIS will inform you when your OPT has been approved, and that your EAD is being created.<\/li>\n
      2. USCIS will inform you that the EAD has been mailed to you via USPS, and will provide you with a tracking number.<\/li>\n
      3. There is a limit of how long your EAD may remain in your mailbox before USPS returns it to USCIS. Therefore, you should make sure you or someone you trust is checking your mail.<\/li>\n
      4. Once you have your card:\n
          \n
        1. Submit an ISS Request<\/a> for category \"Update Record\/Status.<\/strong>\"<\/li>\n
        2. For Update Reason, choose \"OPT Approved.\"<\/strong><\/li>\n
        3. Select Document Title \"I-766, Employment Authorization Document.\"<\/strong><\/li>\n
        4. Upload images of your document for confirmation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
        5. You may begin work on the date that your OPT starts, or when you receive the card, whichever is later. You may not begin work if you have not received your card.<\/li>\n
        6. If you applied for a Social Security Number through the I-765, you should receive it within about two weeks of your OPT start date.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          When an F-1 student is approved for OPT, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will email the student on the start date of OPT a set of instructions to set up an SEVP Portal account. Through this portal, students can update their OPT information directly.<\/p>\n

          Reporting Requirements<\/h3>\n

          Updates to physical home addresses, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and employer information must be reported via the SEVP Portal account<\/a> within 10 days of the change. Limit of 90 days of unemployment allowed. Students may not enroll in any degree program or coursework that may contribute to a degree; only avocational and leisure courses are allowed. Enrollment in a new course of study automatically cancels OPT. Any violations of status will automatically cancel OPT.<\/p>\n

          \n

          STEM OPT Extension<\/h2>\n

          After Submitting Application - Approval<\/h3>\n
            \n
          1. Upon receipting of your application, your employment authorization is automatically extended up to 180 days or until USCIS approves or denies your application, or if it is withdrawn, whichever comes first. Use the receipt with your current EAD to verify this authorization to your employer.<\/li>\n
          2. USCIS will inform you when your OPT has been approved, and that your EAD is being created.<\/li>\n
          3. USCIS will inform you that the EAD has been mailed to you via USPS, and will provide you with a tracking number.<\/li>\n
          4. There is a limit of how long your EAD may remain in your mailbox before USPS returns it to USCIS. Therefore, you should make sure you or someone you trust is checking your mail.<\/li>\n
          5. Once you have your card:\n
              \n
            1. Submit an ISS Request<\/a> for category \"Update Record\/Status.<\/strong>\"<\/li>\n
            2. For Update Reason, choose \"OPT STEM Extension Approved.\"<\/strong><\/li>\n
            3. Select Document Title\u00a0\"I-766, Employment Authorization Document.\"<\/strong><\/li>\n
            4. Upload images of your document for confirmation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              You will continue to use your SEVP Portal Account that you set up for Post-Completion OPT, but may only make changes to name and contact information. In order to update employment, you must submit a report to ISS. You are also required to submit periodic reports to SEVP through ISS.<\/p>\n

              Reporting Requirements<\/h3>\n

              Updates to physical home addresses, mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and some minor changes to employer must be reported via the SEVP Portal account<\/a> within 10 days of the change.<\/p>\n

              For all other situations listed below, the student must report via ISS within 10 days of any change. For all reports, submit an ISS Request<\/a> for category \"F-1 OPT STEM Report.\"<\/strong> Read below what information or documents you need to provide at a specific time.<\/p>\n