Which Immigration Documents to Keep on OPT, and How to Store Them Safely

The core OPT document checklist

Future filings such as H-1B petitions, green card applications, and naturalization often ask about your history in F-1 status. Lost records turn routine questions into stressful document hunts.

• OPT employment evidence checklist
• I-94 travel history guide

• Passport and visa pages, including expired passports with old visas.
• Every Form I-20, including CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT recommendations and travel signatures.
• I-797C receipt notices and I-797 approval notices for each I-765.
• Front and back copies of every EAD card.
• I-94 records and a copy of your travel history.
• Signed Form I-983 training plans and evaluations (STEM OPT).
• Offer letters, job descriptions, and any letter explaining how the job relates to your degree.
• Pay stubs, W-2s, and tax returns for each year in the United States.
• Transcripts and diplomas.

How long to keep them

There is no single deadline that applies to everything, so the safest practice is to keep immigration documents indefinitely. Tax records follow IRS guidance, and employment records are useful for as long as you might file another immigration benefit.

If you plan to pursue H-1B or permanent residence, assume your F-1 and OPT history may be reviewed. Employment dates, job duties, and unemployment periods should be easy to document.

• Green card after OPT
• OPT to H-1B transition

Expiry dates worth tracking

Several documents expire on different schedules, and the next step usually needs to start before the expiry date:

• STEM OPT extension guide
• Renewing your F-1 visa on OPT

• EAD end date, which drives STEM OPT filing (up to 90 days before) and H-1B timing.
• Passport expiry date, needed for travel and many filings.
• I-20 travel signature date if you plan to travel on OPT.
• Visa stamp expiry date, which matters for re-entry, not for staying in status.

Storing copies securely

Use storage with strong account security, encryption, and access controls. Avoid emailing scans to yourself or keeping them in shared drives. These documents contain passport numbers, SEVIS IDs, and receipt numbers.

TrackMyOPT Pro includes a Document Vault for PDFs and images up to 10 MB each. Files are encrypted in transit and stored with AES-256 encryption at rest, and previews use time-limited links. A six-digit vault passcode locks the screen; it does not encrypt the files or replace your account password. Pro also reads documents to find expiry dates, SEVIS IDs, and receipt numbers, and can send expiry reminders.

When an original is lost

Lost EAD cards and incorrect cards each have their own replacement process. Lost I-20s can usually be reissued by your DSO. I-94 records can be retrieved online. Report a lost passport to your country’s consulate.

• EAD card lost, stolen, incorrect, or never delivered