OPT Reporting

While on OPT, you are required to report your employment and keep your record up to date. This includes information about your current employment and changes to your address or phone number. Updates should be made within 10 days of the change (moving, starting/leaving a job, etc.).

Reporting Methods

SEVP Portal

You will report all employment and address updates using your SEVP Portal Account. Once your OPT application is approved, and your start date has arrived (as listed on your EAD card), you will receive an email from SEVP containing a link to create your account. Be sure to check your SPAM/Junk folder for the SEVP email.

Any information you enter into the Portal will be submitted to the U.S. government and become a part of your immigration record.
If your Portal account becomes locked, contact the Office of International Students, Scholars & Programs (ISSP) to help reset your password.
For more information, see SEVP Portal Help.

The SEVP Portal sometimes has technical issues. If you are unable to update your information through the Portal, please see below for an alternative.

iStart

If you are not able to access the SEVP Portal, you can also report information to ISSP through the OPT Employment Update e-form in iStart. Our office will then enter the information in the SEVIS immigration database.

This form should only be used if you are not able to access the Portal. Please do not enter information in the form that you have already updated in the Portal.

Log into iStartusing your W&M ID and Password.
Click on F-1 Practical Trainingin the menu on the left-hand side.
Select Optional Practical Training and complete the OPT Employment Update e-form.

OPT Employment and Major/Academic Program Relationship

When reporting your employment, you will need to explain how it relates to your major (undergraduates) or academic program (graduates).

SEVP provided sample text in the September 2019 Policy Guidance:

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering: I work full time as an Electrical Engineer at ABC Corp., a government contractor. In my job, I analyze client requirements for electrical systems and provide them with cost estimates of such systems. My work requires understanding of electrical circuit theory, which I studied in-depth at the University of ABC.
Bachelor's degree in Business: I work full time as a Loan Officer at a mortgage company, Happy Homes, where I meet with clients and evaluate, authorize and recommend approval of loan applications. On a daily basis, I use the knowledge I gained in my credit analysis, sales and marketing classes that I took as part of my major program of study.
Master's degree in Music: I am working at a hospital playing the harp in patient rooms. I also conduct hands-on harp beginner workshops for long-term patients. On average, I work at the hospital 35 hours a week. My duties directly utilize the skills and knowledge I acquired from my coursework and degree in music therapy.
PhD in Computer Science: I am employed as a Computer and Information Research Scientist at ABC Research Institute. I work as part of a team of scientists and engineers that designs experiments to test the operation of various software systems. My work builds on research in complex algorithms and machine learning, which I studied as part of my dissertation.
Master's degree in Kinesiology: I am working 25 hours a week in a health food store as a consultant for Self-Made Inc., designing and teaching exercise classes that are incorporated into a customer's overall nutrition and exercise plan. My designs and customer instruction draw upon my studies and classwork in exercise therapy and physical reconditioning.

Ending OPT Early

If you have left the U.S. and do not plan to return to continue your OPT, we recommend reporting this to ISSP so we can "Complete" your F-1 immigration record. This is a permanent action; once you do this, you will not be able to use the remainder of your OPT, your I-20, or your F-1 visa

If you have left and wish to complete your record, please report it in iStart:

Login to iStart using your W&M ID and Password.
Click on F-1 Practical Training in the menu on the left-hand side.
Select Optional Practical Training and complete the OPT Employment Update e-form.
You will receive an email once your record has been completed.

Additional Resources

If you need help assessing whether or not a job relates to your degree, we recommend these strategies:

Contact your department and/or professors
Think about classes that you've taken in your program and skills that you've learned
Summarize your job duties and how they relate to your degree