F-1 students on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) OPT will continue to use the SEVP Portal to report changes to their home address and telephone number. All students on STEM OPT are required to use the SEVP Portal to update some of their information.
Students who are experiencing issues using the SEVP Portal may report them to ISSS by submitting a SEVP Portal Assistance Request form in MyISSS.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SEVP Portal?
The SEVP Portal (or portal) is an online system that allows certain students to have limited access to update their SEVIS record. It is accessible from both mobile devices and computers.
What is a SEVIS record?
SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. It is a nationwide, Internet-based system that the U.S. government uses to maintain accurate and current information on non-immigrant students and their dependents (F and J). ISSS has access to SEVIS records for UMN students in order to create and update I-20s, report address and enrollment information, etc.
What can students on STEM OPT do in the SEVP Portal?
Using the SEVP Portal during STEM OPT will be slightly different than during OPT. During STEM OPT, the SEVP Portal will allow students to:
- Report changes to their physical address, mailing address, and telephone
- View details about their STEM OPT
As always, students on STEM OPT are required to report changes within 10 days. Any data updates made in the Portal will be sent directly to SEVIS.
Do students on STEM OPT have to use the SEVP Portal?
Yes. Students on STEM OPT are required to report residential address, telephone number, and some employment updates directly through the SEVP Portal. ISSS will not make these updates in SEVIS for STEM OPT students.
Students on STEM OPT must use the Changes to STEM OPT Employment form in MyISSS to report any employer changes and upload a completed I-983, or the STEM OPT Validation Report & Self Evaluation form in MyISSS to do their six-month reporting, and submit annual self-evaluations.
Students must continue to update their address and telephone number on MyU so the University can contact them.
Students on STEM OPT are still required to send a copy of their EAD card to ISSS through the OPT EAD Card Upload form on MyISSS, if they have not yet done so.
Can students on STEM OPT add a new employer, update their current employer’s information, submit their 6-month reporting, or submit their evaluations to the SEVP Portal?
To add a new employer, students on STEM OPT must submit the Changes to STEM OPT Employment form in MyISSS which requires a completed form I-983. ISSS will enter the new employer information in SEVIS.
Students on STEM OPT must continue to submit the 6-month reporting information and annual self-evaluations directly to ISSS by completing the STEM OPT Validation Report & Self Evaluation form in MyISSS.
How will students on STEM OPT know the information entered in the SEVP Portal is in SEVIS?
The SEVP Portal will automatically update a student’s SEVIS record.
What will happen if students on STEM OPT do not report employment information or changes in their address or telephone?
All F-1 students have always been required to report this information within 10 days of the change or update.
Failure to report changes to a student's address, telephone, or employment within 10 days of the update or change may result in loss of their STEM OPT status or other immigration benefits.
Where can students find more information?
SEVP has created an SEVP Portal Help section with:
- Information about the portal
- The SEVP Portal User Guide, which provides screenshots and detailed step-by-step instructions for using the portal
- SEVP Portal videos
- A useful one-page reference sheet on the portal
If you have any questions about the portal or need assistance, call the SEVP Response Center at 703-603-3400.
