F-1 OPT Students warned by DHS over missing employer updates

Key Takeaways

• DHS began May 2025 sending warning letters to F-1 OPT students about SEVIS termination.
• Students have 15 days to update employer info after 90 days unemployment to avoid termination.
• By April 2025, 1,400 students lost SEVIS status; 33% were OPT students.

In May 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began sending warning letters to F-1 OPT students across the United States 🇺🇸, alerting them that failure to report employment could lead to the termination of their SEVIS record. This move, part of a renewed push for strict compliance, has already resulted in thousands of international students losing their F-1 status, sparking confusion and anxiety on campuses nationwide. Here’s what’s happening, why it matters, and what F-1 OPT students must do right now to protect their status.

What’s Happening: DHS Cracks Down on OPT Reporting

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a division of the Department of Homeland Security, began issuing formal notices in mid-May 2025 to F-1 students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) who have not reported employer information for more than 90 days. The letter, titled “Notice of Failure to Report Optional Practical Training Employer and Exceeding Permissible Period of Unemployment,” gives students just 15 days to update their SEVIS record or face automatic termination.

This enforcement wave is not new. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the language in these 2025 warning letters matches that used in 2020, during a period of strict immigration enforcement under President Trump. After a brief relaxation, the Biden administration has now returned to these tough measures, citing the need for accurate records and national security.

Why Reporting Matters: The SEVIS Record and F-1 Status

The SEVIS record is the official government file that tracks every international student’s status, employment, and compliance with visa rules. For F-1 OPT students, keeping this record up to date is not just a bureaucratic task—it’s the key to staying legally in the United States 🇺🇸.

Failure to report employment, changes to employment, or periods of unemployment can trigger SEVIS termination. Once terminated, a student immediately loses F-1 status, work authorization, and all related benefits. This can lead to removal proceedings (deportation), visa revocation, and serious problems for future U.S. immigration applications.

The Numbers: How Many Students Are Affected?

Recent data shows the scale of the crackdown:

• At least 1,400 students had their SEVIS records terminated as of April 18, 2025.
• OPT students make up 33% of those affected, with the rest split between undergraduate (30%) and graduate (35%) students.
• Over 5,000 SEVIS records were restored in April 2025 after legal challenges, but many students remain at risk.
• Arizona State University reported the highest number of student visa revocations, with 100 cases as of April 23, 2025.

These numbers highlight the widespread impact on international students, especially those on OPT.

How Did We Get Here? A Brief History of OPT Reporting Rules

The requirement for F-1 OPT students to report employment within 10 days and to avoid exceeding 90 days of unemployment has existed for years. However, enforcement has shifted with each administration:

• 2020: Mass warning letters and strict enforcement under President Trump.
• 2021–2024: Some relaxation and fewer mass terminations.
• 2025: Return to strict enforcement, with thousands of warning letters and SEVIS terminations.

The current crackdown began in late March 2025, with systematic SEVIS terminations and only partial restoration after court cases.

What Are the Official Rules for OPT Reporting?

F-1 OPT students must follow these key requirements:

• Report any new employment, changes to employment, or periods of unemployment within 10 days using the SEVP Portal or their university’s reporting system.
• Do not exceed 90 days of unemployment during the 12-month post-completion OPT period.
• Respond to SEVP warning letters within 15 days to avoid SEVIS termination.

Failure to comply with any of these rules can result in immediate loss of status.

Step-by-Step: How to Report OPT Employment

1. Receive OPT Approval:
   After your OPT is approved by USCIS, you’ll get an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card and instructions for accessing the SEVP Portal.

2. Report Employment:
   Within 10 days of starting, ending, or changing a job, report the following details:
   • Employer name
   • Employer address
   • Start and end dates
   • How the job relates to your field of study

   You can do this through the SEVP Portal or your university’s system (such as iPenn, M-Passport, or myOGS).

3. Monitor Unemployment:
   Keep track of your unemployment days. If you reach 90 days without reported employment, your SEVIS record will be terminated.

4. Respond to SEVP Notices:
   If you receive a warning letter, update your SEVIS record within 15 days. Ignoring the notice will lead to automatic termination.

5. If SEVIS Is Terminated:
   Contact your Designated School Official (DSO) immediately. Options may include applying for reinstatement, transferring to another school, or preparing to leave the United States 🇺🇸.

For more details, visit the Study in the States OPT Reporting Requirements page.

What Happens If Your SEVIS Record Is Terminated?

Immediate Consequences:

• Loss of F-1 status: You are no longer legally present as a student.
• End of work authorization: You must stop working immediately.
• Ineligibility for F-1 benefits: This includes on-campus work, travel, and future OPT or STEM OPT extensions.
• Risk of removal proceedings: You could be placed in deportation proceedings, though not all students are immediately required to leave unless formally notified.
• Possible visa revocation: The State Department has not confirmed automatic revocation, but SEVIS termination can make future travel and reentry much more difficult.

Long-Term Impact:

• Future U.S. visa applications may be affected.
• Difficulty returning to the United States 🇺🇸 for study or work.
• Potential complications for green card or other immigration benefits.

Real-Life Scenarios: How Students Are Getting Caught

Many F-1 OPT students are surprised to learn their SEVIS record has been terminated. Here are some common situations:

• Academic Distractions: Students focused on exams or job searches forget to update their employment information.
• Technical Glitches: Problems with the SEVP Portal or university systems cause delays in reporting.
• Unawareness: Some students do not realize that even short gaps between jobs must be reported.
• Delayed Notices: Students miss emails from SEVP or their university, leading to missed deadlines.

Example:
Priya, a graduate from India 🇮🇳 on OPT, changed jobs in April 2025. She updated her LinkedIn but forgot to report the change in the SEVP Portal. In May, she received a warning letter giving her 15 days to update her record. She acted quickly, but some of her friends who ignored the notice had their SEVIS records terminated and had to leave the country.

What Are Universities and DSOs Doing?

University international offices are on high alert. Schools like the University of Michigan are urging all OPT students to review and update their employment information immediately. Designated School Officials (DSOs) are:

• Monitoring SEVIS alerts for students at risk of exceeding unemployment limits.
• Proactively contacting students who have not reported employment.
• Offering support and guidance for students who receive SEVP notices.

NAFSA, the leading association for international educators, is advising DSOs to be extra vigilant and to help students understand the consequences of non-compliance.

Legal and Policy Perspectives

Legal experts warn that the current wave of SEVIS terminations is unprecedented. They recommend that F-1 OPT students:

• Keep meticulous records of all employment and reporting.
• Respond promptly to any official communication from SEVP or their university.
• Seek legal advice if their SEVIS record is terminated or if they face removal proceedings.

The State Department has stated that visa revocation decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, adding to the uncertainty for affected students.

Institutional Impact: The Burden on Universities

The crackdown has created a heavy workload for university international offices. Staff must:

• Manage student panic and confusion
• Handle appeals and requests for SEVIS record restoration
• Coordinate with legal counsel and government agencies

This administrative burden comes on top of supporting students’ academic and personal needs.

What Should F-1 OPT Students Do Now?

Immediate Steps:

• Log in to the SEVP Portal or your university’s reporting system.
• Review and update your employment information.
• If you receive a warning letter, act within 15 days.
• Contact your DSO for help with technical issues or questions.

Ongoing Best Practices:

• Track your unemployment days carefully.
• Report all employment changes within 10 days.
• Save copies of all communications and reporting confirmations.
• Stay informed about policy changes through your university and official sources.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for OPT Students?

Strict monitoring of OPT compliance is expected to continue throughout 2025. The recent restoration of over 5,000 SEVIS records after legal challenges shows that the system is under scrutiny, but students cannot rely on future court decisions to protect their status.

Stakeholders are watching for further guidance from DHS and the State Department, especially regarding the connection between SEVIS termination and visa revocation. Policy adjustments may come, but for now, the best protection is strict compliance with reporting rules.

Official Resources and Where to Get Help

• SEVP Portal: For employment reporting and updates (SEVP Portal Help)
• Designated School Official (DSO): Your main contact for SEVIS and OPT issues; find contact info on your university’s international student office website.
• Study in the States (DHS): OPT Reporting Requirements
• NAFSA Regulatory Information: SEVP Notices to OPT Students
• University International Offices: Use your school’s portal (iPenn, M-Passport, myOGS, etc.) for reporting and support.

Summary Table: Key OPT Reporting Requirements and Consequences

Final Takeaways

The message from the Department of Homeland Security is clear: F-1 OPT students must report employment and unemployment promptly, or risk losing their status and work authorization. The current enforcement environment leaves little room for error. By staying vigilant, keeping records up to date, and seeking help when needed, students can protect their future in the United States 🇺🇸.

If you’re an F-1 OPT student, act now—review your SEVIS record, update your employment information, and reach out to your DSO with any concerns. The consequences of inaction are severe, but with prompt attention, you can stay on track and continue your journey in the U.S.

For more in-depth analysis and updates on F-1 OPT and SEVIS policies, visit VisaVerge.com and consult your university’s international student office.

Learn Today

F-1 OPT → Optional Practical Training allowing F-1 students temporary work in their study field.
SEVIS → Student and Exchange Visitor Information System tracking international students’ legal and employment status.
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) → Card issued by USCIS authorizing F-1 students to work during OPT.
SEVP Portal → Online system where F-1 OPT students report employment updates to maintain status.
Designated School Official (DSO) → University official responsible for helping international students maintain legal status.

This Article in a Nutshell

In May 2025, DHS resumed strict enforcement requiring F-1 OPT students to report employment within 10 days. Failure leads to SEVIS record termination, loss of status, and deportation risks. Immediate compliance is critical to stay legal in the U.S., as thousands already faced termination nationwide under this renewed crackdown.
— By VisaVerge.com

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