ICE changes unemployment calculations for students while on post-completion/STEM OPT | Immigration Policy Tracking Project

Skip to main content

Original Date Announced
October 26, 2018
ICE has updated the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to caclulate the aggregate total number of unemployment days a student accrues while on post-completion and STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). [ID #740]
SEVIS Release 6.41 Details SEVIS Release 6.41 Planning Guide Unemployment Counter
Effective Date
October 27, 2018

Current Status

Fully in Effect

Original Trump Policy Status

Status: Final/Actual

Trump Administration Action: Change in Practice

Subject Matter: Non-Immigrant Visas: Student

Agencies Affected: ICE USCIS

Pre Trump-Era Policies

October 12, 2012 The previous system only calculated consecutive days of unemployment. However, the relevant regulation - 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(E) - already has this requirement in stating "that students may not accrue an aggregate of more than 90 days of unemployment during any post-completion OPT carried out under the initial postcompletion OPT authorization." 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)

Commentary

SEVIS 6.41 to Start Counting Unemployment While on OPT in the Aggregate
Go to article on nafsa.org

Trump-Era Policy Documents

We require registration to leave feedback. You may either:

Sign in with your current user name and password.
Register if you don't have a user name and password.

Glossary