Important Reminder: OPT Unemployment Limits and SEVIS Termination

This is an important reminder to all F-1 students who are currently approved for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) or the 24-month STEM Extension of OPT. If you are currently approved for OPT or the STEM Extension OPT, please remember that you are allowed only a limited number of unemployment days. The number of unemployment days allowed is:

• Post-completion OPT: Up to 90 days of unemployment
• STEM Extension: An additional 60 days of unemployment, for a maximum of 150 days (60 days plus any unused unemployment days remaining from your post-completion OPT period)

Unemployment refers to any day in which you are not engaged in employment or training activity related to your major or STEM degree.The Department of Homeland Security monitors unemployment based on the OPT / STEM Extension employment information contained in your F-1 SEVIS record.

Remember to Update Your Employment Information

The Department of Homeland Security has recently indicated that they intend to review and possibly terminate the OPT / STEM Extension records of any student who has exceeded their unemployment maximum. While SEVIS records will not be terminated automatically, any student who is currently over the unemployment maximums will be given only a limited period to update their information. In order to ensure that your record is not incorrectly terminated, it is urgent that you keep your OPT information updated by reporting any employment changes (adding, stopping, or changing jobs) within 10 days of any change. You can submit updates using the International Center Portal. In addition, you should update SEVIS with your US residential address within 10 days of any move by following the address update instructions on our web site.

You will need to take steps to make sure your SEVIS record is up-to-date and accurate. Failure to report employment information accurately and in a timely manner may lead to your SEVIS record being terminated for exceeding the unemployment limits. Please take immediate steps if you have not done so already to update your record.

If you have any questions about the unemployment requirement, please contact internationalcenter@tufts.edu.