Guys,If you are currently employed, using your OPT card, please email the DSO your business company name and the address of that business.  For those of you graduation in May, please inform your employer information as soon as you are hired to the DSO.  USCIS is implementing a new process where you are responsible for this information!  Reporting this information is very important to you maintaining your status.  Do this as soon as possible.

See official email from USCIS below:

SEVIS NOTICE – February 27, 2008

SEVP is conducting a validation exercise to verify data in SEVIS for students who currently have authorized OPT. SEVIS data integrity is an essential part of our national security. Timely updates and accurate reporting are essential to maintaining this data integrity.

F-1 students are responsible for reporting their address, their employer’s name and address, and any periods of unemployment while on OPT. DSOs are responsible for updating the student’s SEVIS record to reflect these changes. SEVP is conducting a validation exercise to ensure students and DSOs are aware of the regulatory reporting requirements and that DSOs are updating SEVIS. The regulations governing these reporting requirements are:

•                 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5) defines the duration of status for F-1 students as “the time during which an F-1 student is pursuing a full course of study at an educational institution approved by the Service for attendance by foreign students, or engaging in authorized practical training following completion of studies …”
•                 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(E) states that “A DSO who recommends a student for optional practical training is responsible for maintaining the record of the student for the duration of the time that training is authorized.”
•                 8 CFR 214.2(f)(17) requires that “A student must inform the DSO and the Service of any legal changes to his or her name or of any change of address, within 10 days of the change, in a manner prescribed by the school. A student enrolled at a SEVIS school can satisfy the requirement in 8 CFR 265.1 of notifying the Service by providing a notice of a change of address within 10 days to the DSO, who in turn shall enter the information in SEVIS within 21 days of notification by the student.”
•                 8 CFR 214.2(f)(12) requires that “An F-1 student authorized by the Service to engage in practical training is required to report any change of name or address, or interruption of such employment to the DSO for the duration of the authorized training. A DSO who recommends a student for optional practical training is responsible for updating the student’s record to reflect these reported changes for the duration of time that training is authorized.”
•                 8 CFR 214.3(g)(3) requires reporting within 21 days of change in “Any other notification request made by SEVIS with respect to the current status of the student”.

The purpose of this validation is to ensure all DSOs and students on OPT know the reporting requirements and to ensure SEVIS is updated accordingly.

We are providing this notice prior to beginning the exercise. PDSOs at schools where SEVIS indicates there are students on OPT will receive a subsequent email. That email will have specific instructions for updating SEVIS and an Excel spreadsheet with the name and address of students currently on OPT information to make the task of contacting students easier.

By May 15, 2008, all schools should ensure that the employer information (name and address) and the student’s address is current for all students on OPT.


Thank you.

Student and Exchange Visitor Program