To F-1 OPT and STEM participants:
Please take a moment to review all of the below information/updates as one or more may pertain to you.
NEW OPT PARTICIPANTS IN PARTICULAR, please ensure that you read all carefully and familiarize yourself with your reporting requirements!
Email Address Updates & UConn Google Use Retirement
Please be aware that UConn is currently in the process of transitioning away from Google. This means that alumni access to the google drive and UConn email will discontinue as of April 30, 2024. Please visit the link here to find information on forwarding your UConn email to a personal mailbox: https://its.uconn.edu/google-to-microsoft-365-transition/
Note that the email in your SEVIS record is the same as your “campus” email address in StudentAdmin. If you no longer have a “campus” email then it changes to your “personal” email type. If your “campus” address in StudentAdmin is currently a UConn email, you will need to either forward the email to a personal account using the instructions linked OR change the “campus” email address to a personal email address to ensure that you continue to receive important messages from SEVIS. When you update your email address in StudentAdmin, it will then update in SEVIS as well.
Reporting Reminder
Remember that during your OPT and STEM periods, you are required to report any changes in employment within 10 days of the change. All changes in employment are reported using the OPT Employment Update links on the OPT and STEM pages. If you are currently on a STEM extension, be sure that you understand and follow the additional STEM validation reporting requirements. Additionally, be sure to send us a copy of your OPT and STEM OPT receipt notice, approval notice and EAD when they are issued. You can submit this to us by submitting the Immigration Document Update in the ISSS Portal.
H1B Filing & Cap Gap
If your employer has filed an H1B petition on your behalf and your OPT/STEM will end prior to the H1B start date, you may request a Cap Gap I-20 from ISSS. Please visit our cap gap information page for more information and instructions for requesting the document.
If you will move directly from OPT/STEM to H1B (no cap gap), you will need to report the change using the Program Update link on our website. Do this in prior to the H1B start date of Oct 1.
Note that if you will transition from STEM to H1B, you will also need to submit a final evaluation with STEM Validation Report in Sept (prior to the H1B start date).
STEM Validation Reporting
If you are currently on a STEM extension, be sure that you understand and follow the STEM validation reporting requirements. If you are due to submit a Validation Report, you must do so through the link on the ISSS website. Validation Reports are due every 6 months during the 24-month STEM period (at the 6, 12, 18 and 24 month points).
Travel during OPT/STEM
Keep in mind that all F-1 visa holders and their dependents who travel outside the U.S. while OPT or STEM should report their travel to ISSS by completing a Travel Information Record to notify us of the plans, even if a travel signature is not needed. During your OPT/STEM period, travel signatures are valid for six months from date of issue. Check page 2 of your most recent I-20 to see if you already have a valid signature. If you do need one, please follow the instructions at the link and note that signatures can be issued electronically if you are not in the area.
Address Updates
As a reminder, F-1 visa holders are required to update addresses within 10 days of any move. Follow the instructions here to update an address.
Please contact your ISSS Advisor if you have any questions about these reminders.
Thank you!
International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
https://isss.uconn.edu