ISSS

Once you receive your EAD, you are required to:

1. Submit a copy of your EAD card to ISSS
2. Report address and employment information within 10 days of any change in your SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) Portal account. Be aware that the SEVP Portal will not allow you to enter an employment start date that is more than 10 days in the past, so it is essential that you report your employment on time.
3. Work at least 20 hours per week in one or more jobs that are related to your major
4. Not exceed 90 days of unemployment

Review the following for additional details about these requirements.

Submit your EAD Card to ISSS

When you receive your EAD card, review the information carefully. If you find any errors contact ISSS.

If the information on your EAD card is correct, then scan or take a picture of it and submit to ISSS.

Update SEVP Portal

You should create a SEVP Portal account when you receive the email from do-not-reply.SEVP@ice.dhs.gov even if you do not have updates at that time. The link to create your account will expire in 31 days.

What is the SEVP Portal?

The SEVP Portal is a system that allows you to have limited access to update your SEVIS record during OPT. You can access the portal from both mobile devices and computers.

How will I be able to access the SEVP Portal?

On the start date of your EAD card, or soon after, you will receive an email message with instructions on how to create your portal account. It will be from do-not-reply.SEVP@ice.dhs.gov and the subject line will be "OPT Approval - the next step. Create an SEVP Portal account."

What if I don't receive the email? What if I have problems using the SEVP Portal?

First check your spam folder. If you still do not see it, or if you have problems, contact ISSS.

What must I do in the SEVP Portal during OPT?

After creating an account and logging in to the portal, you must:

• Report changes to your physical address (where you live), mailing address, and telephone number
• Report updates about your employment information

You are required to report these changes and updates within 10 days of the change.

You may also:

• Review details about all employers in one place
• Review details about your post-completion OPT

Any updates you make in the portal will be sent directly to SEVIS.

Do I have to use the SEVP Portal?

Yes. You are required to report address, telephone number, and employment updates directly in the SEVP Portal.

You must also continue to update your residential address and telephone number in MyCWU while you are on OPT.

Will ISSS make the updates?

No. ISSS will not make these changes for you.

What if I do not report my employment information or changes to my address or telephone?

F-1 students have always been required to report this information within 10 days of the change. The SEVP Portal is just a different, and more direct, way for you to report.

Failure to report employment information or changes to your address or telephone within 10 days of the change may result in the loss of your OPT status or other immigration benefits. The SEVP Portal will not allow you to report employment that started more than 10 days in the past, so it is essential that you report your employment on time.

Help! My OPT has expired. I still have an update to make and I can't get in to the portal.

If it is after the end date of your EAD card, you will no longer be able to use the SEVP Portal to report any changes or end of employment. Contact ISSS to assist.

Where can I find more information?

SEVP has created a 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 that help with navigating and reporting in the portal
• A useful one-page reference sheet about the portal

If you have any questions about the portal or need assistance, call the SEVP Response Center at 703-603-3400.

Follow OPT Employment Rules

Employment must be at least 20 hours per week, and it must be related to the major you just completed.

Employment on OPT can be:

• Paid employment
• 1 or more jobs
• Contract employment
• Self-employment
• Employment through an agency or consulting firm
• Unpaid internship
• Volunteer work

You should keep written documentation of all your employment during OPT.

Unemployment

You are allowed 90 days of unemployment during the 12-month period of your post-completion OPT.

If you cannot find employment that begins within 90 days, you must depart the U.S. no later than the 90th day after your post-completion OPT began.

If you have accumulated more than 90 days of unemployment, you will no longer be in F-1 status. Once your F-1 status expires, you are required to leave the U.S. immediately.