F-1 STEM OPT ALERT: DHS REQUESTS ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT EVIDENCE

Some F-1 students on STEM OPT are reportedly receiving requests from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) for additional documentation to verify their employment.

The requests appear to go beyond routine employment reporting and seek detailed evidence concerning the authenticity, location, supervision and actual performance of STEM OPT employment.

What DHS/SEVP May Request:

Students receiving these requests may be asked to provide:

Supervisor information — name, phone number and email address.

Employer and actual worksite addresses — including where the student performs day-to-day work.

Employment records — employment applications, agreements and personnel documents.

Proof of compensation — including pay stubs, earnings statements and/or W-2s.

Supervisory chain information — names, titles and contact details of managers or supervisors.

Evidence of actual work — emails and communications showing training, assignments, projects and other employment activities.

Why This Matters:

STEM OPT requires a genuine employer-employee training relationship. The student's employment must be directly related to the qualifying STEM degree, and the employment arrangement should be consistent with the student's Form I-983 and SEVIS records.

This development suggests that merely having an employer reported in SEVIS may not always be enough. Students could be required to produce documentation demonstrating that they are actually performing the reported work under appropriate supervision and training.

STEM OPT Students: Be Prepared

Students should maintain organized records, including their signed I-983, offer letter, employment agreement, pay stubs/W-2s, supervisor information, worksite records, work emails, training records and performance evaluations.

If you receive a request from SEVP, verify that it is legitimate, carefully review the deadline, consult your DSO, and respond with complete and genuine documentation. Never create or alter evidence to respond to a government request.

The ViServe Immigration Update: Navigate. Prepare. Succeed.
For informational purposes only. This communication does not constitute legal advice.