An F-1 student on STEM OPT is stressed due to a holiday delay at their university. Their mandatory validation report has not been uploaded to the SEVP portal by their Designated School Officer (DSO), and the portal now shows the status as past due. The student is worried that this may affect their legal work authorisation.
University closure causes delay
The university’s International Office is closed until January 2, 2026 for the holiday break. The DSO is unavailable to upload the report to SEVP during this period. This situation has created anxiety for the student as they wait.
Experts clarify student rights
According to experts, the student is not at risk of losing their legal work authorisation. Federal guidelines allow flexibility for administrative delays. The validation link in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) stays active for 31 days past the due date.
Deadline buffer protects students
This buffer period gives DSOs extra time to complete the upload without penalty. Experts confirm that the SEVIS record will not be terminated due to a late report caused by administrative issues.
Next steps for the student
The student has been advised to wait until the office reopens in January. They should keep proof of submitting the report on time for their records. This ensures that they are not blamed for the delay and shows they acted responsibly.
Common issue during holidays
Such delays are normal during holiday closures. Even though they are common, they still cause serious concern for students who rely on their status for ongoing employment.
