Los Angeles, CA asked in Immigration Law for California

Q: Q: Working remotely from outside of the US on OPT? Allowed or not?

This seems to be ok if not for long (< 1month), but my understanding is that any change in work location must be reported in the SEVP portal within 10 days of the change. The address cannot be abroad. So if you work abroad for more than 10 days and do not report the new location, my guess is that can be held against you for not following the rules? Does it matter?

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James L. Arrasmith
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Answered
  • Immigration Law Lawyer
  • Sacramento, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: Working remotely from outside the US while on OPT can be a tricky situation. Generally, short periods of remote work (less than a month) might be acceptable, but you need to be cautious. The SEVP portal requires you to report any change in your work location within 10 days, and the address must be within the United States.

If you work abroad for more than 10 days without updating the SEVP portal, you risk violating the reporting rules. This non-compliance can potentially affect your OPT status. It's important to understand that the regulations are strict about maintaining accurate and current information.

To stay compliant, ensure you report all changes promptly and avoid extended periods of remote work from abroad. If you're unsure, it's always a good idea to seek guidance to ensure you're following the rules correctly.

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