Well let's talk about the details!

The schools need to report the students in SEVIS if they find students who have not found a job for 90 days after OPT kicks in. However, the schools will be missing 50% of the students who have graduated and do not have any means of contacting them because the students may not have updated their record with their school. The SEVIS guidelines clearly tell the DSO's NOT to terminate the record if somone cannot be traced.

The deadline for completing validation has been extended to June 15, 2008.

When asked SEVIS "What happens if a student does not reply?" SEVIS  responded by saying; "Record the information, do not terminate the record. As this requirement has not been articulated clearly in the past, we do not plan to take action against the students currently on OPT who do not report. However, after June 15,,2008, we do expect students to meet their reporting responsibilities."

There is no doubt that the ones who are currently applying for thier OPT will have to be comply with the reporting requirement.

SEVIS has created some possible senarios and have advised the schools accordingly.

Situation 1: Student replied with information on his/her employer. Action: Update the empoyer name and employer address field.

Situation 2: Student is self-employed. Action: Update SEVIS with "Self Employment" information.

Situation 3: Student has multiple jobs. Action: Will be treated as Self Employed.

Situation 4: Student replied and is not currently employed. Action: Update the employer field to "NONE" or "Actively seeking Employment" and leave the employer's field blank.

Situation 5: Mail to student was returned due to incorrect address. Action: Update employer field as "Mail Returned."

Situation 6: Student returned to his/her country. Action: Complete student's record.

Situation 7: Student returned to his/her country and plans to return to resume OPT. Action: Update the employer field to "Temporarily out of US" and leave the employer field blank.

Situation 8: Student transferred or filed a change of level effective on or befor June 15, 2008. Action: No updates required.

Hope this helps!