Maintaining Student Status - STEM OPT Extension / Annual Evaluation

Annual Evaluation

Follow this procedure when you reach the 12 month mark and again when you reach the 24 month mark of your STEM OPT period. Complete the following with the STEM employer with whom you are employed at the time of the reporting requirement.

Instructions

Click the link below to submit your 12 Month or 24 Month Evaluation.

You must upload a completed self-evaluation using page 5 of the Form I-983. Additionally, the personal information and employment information you report must match your I-983 Training Plan. If there have been any changes to the employment information listed on your I-983, you must upload a modified I-983 training plan (pages 1-4) to reflect those changes. Your annual evaluation will not be processed until ISS receives an updated I-983.

Submit 12 Month or 24 Month Annual Evaluation

Due Date: submit to ISS within 10 days of the 12 month and 24 month mark of your STEM OPT period. To be considered on time, submission must be complete and accurate. 10 day deadline is for student submission to ISS only. ISS has an additional window to report evaluation to the Department of Homeland Security.

No updated I-20 will be issued after reporting.

Tips for Completing the Form I-983 Self-Evaluation (Page 5)

  • Complete the top section titled "Evaluation on Student Progress" section for your 12 month evaluation ( view 12 month evaluation guidelines). Complete the bottom section titled "Final Evaluation on Student Progress" section for your 24 month evaluation ( view 24 month evaluation guidelines).
  • This is a self-evaluation and should not be written by the employer official.
  • The evaluation start and end date should reflect employment dates during the STEM period.
  • The evaluation should be signed by you and the signatory designated on page 4 of the I-983. 

Sample Timeline

Post-Completion OPT End Date 12 Month Mark 10-day Deadline to Submit to ISS I-983 Range of Evaluation Dates ISS Reports to DHS and Send Confirmation to Student
June 1, 2020 June 1, 2021 No Later than June 11, 2021 June 1, 2020* to June 1, 2021 No Later than June 31, 2021
*Or first day of employment, whichever is later.
Post-Completion OPT End Date 24 Month Mark 10-day Deadline to Submit to ISS I-983 Range of Evaluation Dates ISS Reports to DHS and Send Confirmation to Student
June 1, 2020 June 1, 2022 No Later than June 11, 2022 June 1, 2021* to June 1, 2022 No Later than June 31, 2022
*Or first day of employment, whichever is later.