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OPT Students
Students on OPT
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), within the Department of Homeland Security requires that schools ensure the accuracy of certain information in SEVIS for all students on OPT. To comply with this requirement, those on OPT must report certain information using the OPT Change of Personal Data form
1) Those on OPT are required to report changes in their location address within 10 days of any move. The address reported must be a current location/living address and not a P.O. Box number.
2) Those on OPT are also required to report their employer’s name and address. Again, the address reported must be the employer’s location address and not a post office box number. When reporting an employer’s name, if working for a company, the name of the actual company must be reported (not the name of the supervisor). Those who are unemployed must report this also.
This reporting requirement is ongoing. After your initial report, it is important to continue to keep this information updated. During OPT, those in F-1 status can continue to report changes in address, changes in employment or temporary unemployment by using the OPT Change of Personal Data form
Those on OPT should review the grid below to determine the situation that matches their circumstances. They must report OPT information by submitting the above mentioned form to the International Office by one of the following methods:
- Email: The fastest and most preferred method of submitting this form is by email attachment to International@txstate.edu making sure to put “OPT Reporting” in the subject line.
- Fax: Send to 512-245-8264
- In person: Bring it to our office
- Post: Those who choose to use the postal service should address the envelope as follows:
OPT Reporting
Dr. Robert Seese, Director
International Office-Hill House
601 University Drive
San Marcos, Texas 78666
(Make sure that the words “OPT Reporting” appear first in the address line.)
| | Situation | Information |
| 1 | Employed by one employer | Check the corresponding box on the form. Provide employer’s name and address. |
| 2 | Employed by multiple employers | Check the corresponding box on the form. List all employer’s names and addresses, indicating which employer is the primary employer. |
| 3 | Self-employed | Check the corresponding box on the form. Give the business address, which can be the same as one’s personal address. |
| 4 | Students with performing arts degrees who have multiple short-term jobs (gigs) | Check the corresponding box on the form. Follow instructions on the form by sending us a list of new gigs on a regular basis. If working for an agency, indicate the agency as the employer and list the agency’s address. |
| 5 | Not currently employed | Check corresponding box on the form. |
| 6 | Returned to home country with no current plans to return to the U.S to pursue OPT | Check the corresponding box on the form. Indicate the date of departure from the U.S. as instructed on the form. |
| 7 | Returned to home country with plans to return to the U.S. by (indicate date) to resume OPT | Check the corresponding box on the form. Indicate date as instructed on the form. |
| 8 | In the U.S. and no longer an F-1 student | Check the corresponding box on the form. Supply a copy (scanned or faxed) of I-797 Notice of Action that indicates current immigrant or non-immigrant status. |