How to Change Your Address on OPT or STEM OPT

Key Takeaways

Update your address with your DSO, USCIS, and SEVP Portal within 10 days to maintain immigration status on OPT/STEM OPT.
Inform your employer and update important entities like USPS, banks, and DMV to ensure consistent records.
Avoid pitfalls: meet deadlines, ensure information consistency, and document all updates for your records.

Moving to a new location while you’re on OPT (Optional Practical Training) or STEM OPT can be a significant change. It’s important to ensure that you properly update your address with all required parties to maintain your immigration status. Here’s a step-by-step guide to navigating this process effectively:

Step 1: Update Your University/DSO
When you move, the first step is to inform your Designated School Official (DSO) at your university. You are required to do this within 10 days of changing your address:
– Access your university’s international student portal.
– Update your residential address in the system.
– If your mailing address is different, update that separately.
– Submit any specific address change forms your university requires.

How to Change Your Address on OPT or STEM OPT

Many universities offer an online system for these updates, but it’s crucial to understand your institution’s exact procedure. Your DSO will update your details in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

Step 2: Inform USCIS
It’s equally important to notify the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within the same 10-day timeframe. Here’s how you can do this:
– Visit the USCIS Change of Address page.
– Choose the option for applicants, petitioners, or beneficiaries.
– Fill out Form AR-11 online.
– If you have any pending immigration applications, ensure that you update your address for these cases as well. Options include using your USCIS online account, contacting the USCIS Contact Center, or mailing a written notice to the relevant office.

Step 3: Update the SEVP Portal
For those on post-completion OPT or STEM OPT, it’s essential to log into your SEVP Portal and modify your residence details:
– Navigate to your profile on the portal.
– Update your residential address.

This step is in addition to the update with your DSO, not a replacement.

Step 4: Notify Your Employer
Your employer should be informed of your new address for their records and any tax purposes.

Step 5: Update Other Important Entities
Make sure to update your address with several other vital entities:
– U.S. Postal Service for mail forwarding.
– Banks and credit card companies.
– Driver’s license or state ID agency.
– Social Security Administration.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
– Missing Deadlines: Prioritize setting reminders. Address changes must be updated within 10 days.
– Incomplete Notifications: Prepare a checklist of all parties needing notification.
– Information Inconsistencies: Keep your address identical across all updates.
– Failure to Document Updates: Retain confirmations for all changes made.
– Neglecting Different Address Types: Address both residential and mailing addresses if they differ.

Expert Tips
– Begin the update process before you actually move, if feasible.
– Verify your new address using USPS.com to avoid errors.
– If relocating to another state, check for changes related to your driver’s license or state ID.
– Consider a P.O. Box for a consistent mailing address if you plan frequent moves.

In a real-world scenario, Sarah, an F-1 student on STEM OPT, moved from Boston 🇺🇸 to San Francisco 🇺🇸 for a job. By following these steps, she quickly updated her university’s international office, USCIS, the SEVP Portal, her employer, USPS, and her bank, ensuring she maintained her status and didn’t miss any critical correspondence.

Recent policy updates in 2024 have made it easier to change your address online with USCIS. However, as noted in an investigation by VisaVerge.com, it’s still necessary to inform your DSO and update the SEVP Portal. Always double-check requirements at immigration must-dos as policies can change subtly over time.

Learn Today

OPT (Optional Practical Training): A program allowing F-1 students to gain practical experience in their field after graduation.
STEM OPT: An extension of OPT for graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields, allowing additional work authorization.
Designated School Official (DSO): An authorized individual at a U.S. school who handles responsibilities related to international students’ immigration status.
USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services): The U.S. government agency responsible for managing immigration applications and maintaining lawful immigration procedures.
SEVP Portal (Student and Exchange Visitor Program Portal): An online platform for F-1 and M-1 visa holders to report changes and maintain status updates in the U.S.

This Article in a Nutshell

Moving during OPT or STEM OPT? Ensure you update your address with your university’s DSO, USCIS, and SEVP Portal within 10 days to maintain your immigration status. Missing a step can lead to issues. Stay organized: set reminders, keep records, and double-check requirements for a seamless transition.
— By VisaVerge.com