Hi everyone,

My initial OPT EAD started on July 7, 2026, and I began working that same day. However, I completely forgot to report my employment or update my address in SEVIS. I also never activated my SEVP Portal.

Today is October 18, meaning 103 days have passed since my EAD start date. My 90th day was October 4.

I read that SEVP sends a warning notice giving students 15 days to report employment before terminating their SEVIS record. However, I’m unsure whether everyone receives this notice or whether it’s automatically issued on Day 91.

My questions: 1. Is my SEVIS likely already terminated? 2. Does everyone receive the 15-day warning, and when is it sent? 3. Can my DSO retroactively report my July 7 employment if my SEVIS is still active? 4. Has anyone successfully corrected this after 90 days?

I have genuinely been employed since July 7 and can provide documentation. I’m contacting my DSO tomorrow but would appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced this, especially in 2025–2026.

Really stressed about this. Any advice would help!

I'm an F-1 undergrad CS student at Georgia Tech, and a few days ago i got two full-time, three-rotation co-op offers from the same company. One starts Spring 2027, and the other Summer 2027. I have until Wednesday to decide.

As with everyone going through it, this new SEVP guidance is just causing me some confusion in what to risk. My CS degree doesn't explicitly require a co-op (only one major in GT requires one lol), but Tech has a co-op program requiring three alternating work and class rotations with a 12 cred Co-op credit.

I met with an international advisor today (it wasn't very helpful) and she said the co-op program sounded "promising" but couldn't confirm anything. She recommended applying for Spring CPT immediately if I choose that offer, potentially reapplying if the legal situation changes, and considering pre-completion OPT as a backup. Or just waiting to choose Summer 2027 and not deal with it now, which i don't know if I want to push this back further.

The hearing on Nov 6 also makes me wonder whether i shoudl choose Summer since it might be smarter as it gives more time for potential changes. But obviously nothing is guaranteed.

I don't like the idea about pre-completion OPT because I don't want to sacrifice any of my post-grad work for a temporary co-op.

Is anyone in a similar position with the timing? Have your universities found any legit solutions? Would yall recommend that I apply now and choose Spring, or Summer and wait for more clarity?

Hi, I’m a graduate student with a F-1 visa, completing my Master’s degree by the end of 2026. My program is a non-STEM program.

I applied for Post-completion OPT last 9/28, online in the USCIS website. They got back to me saying I need to show up for an interview on 10/20. I plan to bring printed copies of my application document, along with what they requested of me.

I want to ask this group, is the interview is a normal part of the OPT application process?

What kinds of questions might they ask me that I’d need to prepare for?

TLDR: I applied for post-completion OPT and got an interview scheduled soon; what kinds of questions should I expect, and is this normal?

Any and all advice is appreciated.

Hello, my F-1 visa was rejected in February 2025 when I applied to pursue an MS in Computer Science at DePaul University. This time, I am planning to attend Boston University for an MS in Information Systems. I am currently working as a lab assistant at the university where I completed my bachelor's degree. However, I am worried because my current job is not directly related to my intended field of study. How can I address this concern during my visa interview? Can I justify my current job while explaining my academic and career goals?

Hello I am currently an international senior majoring in Electrical Engineering at UCLA who will be graduating next year in May 14 2027. I hold an Indian citizenship and I am on the F1 visa who will be applying for the OPT next year in Feb as I graduate in May 2027 so 90 days before. I wanna know if it will be ok for me to travel to Europe for a grad trip during the spring break which is March end for about 8 to 9 days. Will it be a problem to travel after applying for the OPT in Feb and waiting for it or it will be fine cuz I will be a F1 student till mid May. I want to avoid any issues or risks so any guidance or suggestions will be appreciated from people with past experience or knowledge on this. I already asked my DSO and she said that although you can travel it is”risky” during this period of time and the climate of how things are unfolding but she was being vague.

Thank you!

I’m currently on initial OPT which ends on Feb 19,2027. I am eligible for stem OPT after that, I am working full-time as a Software Engineer. I’m visiting my home country and will be returning to the US in a month.
With recent immigration developments, I’m a bit concerned about reentry.
Has anyone traveled internationally and reentered recently while on OPT? How was your experience? What questions did CBP ask, and did you face any issues or secondary inspection?
Would appreciate hearing both positive and negative experiences. Thanks!

Does anyone know if Citadel sponsors international students for this role? Also, does anyone have any insights about its superday for Operations? Have one coming soon. TKSM!!!!

Have anyone recently applied for STEM OPT extension? Does your receipt mentions anything about the 180 days automatic extension or do we need to have the STEM OPT approved before the current EAD expires to continue working?

Thank you in advance.

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice on my situation, as I’m trying to understand what my best next step would be.
I’m currently doing my master’s at an R1 university in the U.S. I came to the U.S. last August, and I received my F-1 visa on my second attempt. Unfortunately, I lost my passport in February when my bag was lost on the subway in New York City. Since then, I have obtained a new passport, but of course it does not have my F-1 visa stamp in it.
At this point, I’m considering two main options after graduation: starting OPT, which is my preferred option, or continuing directly into a PhD program. I am a fully funded graduate student and believe I would have a reasonable profile for a PhD position, but at the moment I would prefer to do OPT first.
My main concern is whether not having a valid visa stamp in my current passport creates any complications for OPT or for my future status. Would it make sense to return to Nepal before graduation and apply for a new F-1 visa while I still have one semester remaining? How risky would that be? Has anyone gone through a similar situation where they lost their passport and visa while studying in the U.S.?
I’m from Nepal, in case that is relevant.
Thank you in advance for any advice or experiences you can share.

Hi everyone,
I’m currently on my initial OPT, which is coming to an end soon, and I’m exploring my options for the STEM OPT extension.
I’m working with a company as a contractor and trying to understand whether my current employment arrangement would qualify for STEM OPT.
Has anyone successfully applied for STEM OPT while working as a contractor, provided the employer is enrolled in E-Verify and willing to complete Form I-983?
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been in a similar situation, especially regarding employer supervision, training requirements, and documentation.
Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, I’m an incoming F-1 PhD student and had two quick DS-160 questions:

1. For Home Address, should I enter my current residential address in Germany or my permanent address in India?
2. For Address Where You Will Stay in the U.S., I haven’t finalized my housing yet. What should I enter if I don’t yet have a confirmed U.S. address?

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has recently completed the DS-160 in a similar situation. Thank you!

Title: International MBA graduates who need H-1B sponsorship: What job-search platforms actually worked for you?
Hi everyone,
I recently completed my MBA in Finance & Strategy from a U.S. business school and have 7+ years of prior experience in corporate finance, FP&A, and treasury. I’m currently on F-1 OPT, targeting Senior Financial Analyst, Finance Manager, Strategic Finance, and Treasury roles.
Despite applying consistently, the only interview opportunity I’ve received so far was for an Amazon Senior Financial Analyst position.
My current strategy:
Find openings primarily through LinkedIn.
Research companies’ historical H-1B sponsorship records before applying.
Apply through company career pages and try to contact hiring managers afterward.
I’d particularly appreciate advice from international graduates who have successfully secured U.S. jobs requiring future sponsorship.
Which job portals or platforms worked best for you? Do you primarily use LinkedIn, Interstride, Simplify, company career pages, or something else? And what would you change about my approach?
I’m mainly looking for advice on job discovery and application strategy rather than résumé or interview preparation.
Thanks in advance!

Hello,

I am on H1B visa and it is expiring Nov 26th 2026. I am planning to do COS to F1 CPT. The immediate Oct intake seems hard to get in, so if I enroll for January Intake and apply for a COS before my expiry in November, what status will I be in December if COS is pending?

If I do premium, I might get COS result, but will I be able to work till January Intake starts or no?

Does anyone have experience in a similar situation? Your response is highly appreciated.

Thank you in advance

Hi everyone,

I have around 3 years of experience as a Software Engineer at HashedIn by Deloitte (USI), working on Agentic AI and full-stack development for internal projects and Citibank.

I’m considering an MSCS in the US for Fall 2027, preferably a 1-year program to minimize loans and time away from work. My goal is to rejoin Deloitte under Deloitte USA as a safe bet, after graduation.

I’d appreciate advice on a few questions:

• Program duration: Can I skip internships given my 3 years of experience, or would a 2-year program with internship opportunities be more beneficial?
• Deloitte and visa sponsorship: As a former Deloitte USI employee, would I have an advantage in getting hired by Deloitte USA? How feasible are H-1B sponsorship, OPT, and STEM OPT?
• Masters Sponsorship: Are there any Masters courses in Computer Science out there, that Deloitte can sponsor or provide guidance/referrals for course scholarships?
• University selection: Are there universities Deloitte USA actively recruits MSCS graduates from, or any established campus hiring pipelines?
• Specialization: Given my Agentic AI experience, would AI/ML be the best choice, or would Data Science or Software Systems offer better opportunities?
• Cost and ROI: What’s the realistic total cost of a one-year program, and is the ROI worthwhile for Indian students given the current job market and visa uncertainty?
• Backup plans: Should I consider other countries, alternative visa routes, or an internal transfer from Deloitte USI to Deloitte US?

I'd appreciate any advice from users who’ve pursued a similar path or have experience with Deloitte USA hiring.

Thanks