A February 27 2025 software release (“Portal 6.3”) promised to squash the notorious “Unexpected Portal Update” bug, yet thousands of OPT and STEM-OPT students still report stale employer data or login loops. Here’s a fast-action playbook to get your record clean—and keep DHS from auto-terminating your SEVIS status.
Why it matters: SEVIS regulations give you 10 days to report any job change. Miss it and your record can auto-terminate, ending your work authorization.
1 Check for scheduled maintenance first
Release 6.3 went live Feb 27 2025, 8 p.m.–midnight ET and future patches will follow the same late-evening window. If you try to log in during an outage, nothing will stick. Study in the States
Fix: Wait until the maintenance window closes, then re-log.
2 Clear cache or switch browsers
Residual cookies often cause the infinite-spin login or blank dashboard.
- Chrome/Edge: Ctrl + Shift + Del → “Cookies & Cached files” → Clear data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data → Remove
Open the portal in a fresh incognito/private tab.
3 Verify your SEVIS email matches the portal login
Release 6.3 fixed a mismatch bug but only if the email stored in SEVIS is current. Ask your DSO to check Email Address 1 in SEVIS; once updated, wait an hour and reset your portal password. Study in the States
4 Enter employer dates inside your EAD validity window
The new code now blocks end-dates beyond the EAD card’s “Valid To” date. If you type 02 Aug 2025 but your card ends 31 Jul 2025, the save will silently fail. Study in the States
Fix: Align start/end dates exactly with the EAD (OPT) or I-20 (STEM-OPT) authorization.
5 Remove special characters in employer name/address
The database still rejects ampersands (&), slashes (/) and emojis, throwing a generic error. Replace them with “and” or a dash.
6 Unlock an inactive account
If you haven’t logged in for 90 days, the portal disables your access.
- Click “Forgot Password” on the login page.
- Use the reset link within 30 minutes.
- If the link has expired, call the SEVP Response Center.
7 Escalate with proof—DSO first, then SEVP Response Center
Still stuck? Gather screenshots, EAD image and your SEVIS ID, then:
- Email/meet your DSO—they can push employer changes directly in SEVIS.
- Contact SEVP Response Center:
- Phone: (703) 603-3400 or (800) 892-4829 (8 a.m.–6 p.m. ET, Mon–Fri)
- Email: sevp@ice.dhs.gov ICE
SEVP can manually sync the portal or issue a corrective broadcast message.
Quick “don’t-panic” timeline
| Day | Action | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Portal won’t save job update | None yet |
| 1–3 | Try fixes 1–5 above | Low |
| 4–6 | DSO submits update in SEVIS | Moderate |
| 7–10 | If still unsynced, call SEVP RC | High—SEVIS may auto-terminate after Day 10 |
Frequently asked questions
Does the SEVP Portal send a confirmation email after I update data?
Yes. If you don’t get one within 10 minutes, the save likely failed—log back in and re-check the dashboard. Study in the States
Will Release 6.3 stop all “Unexpected Portal Update” errors?
It eliminates the main trigger, but browser cache or invalid dates can still produce a similar message.
Can my DSO override the portal?
Absolutely. A DSO update in SEVIS overwrites portal data during the next nightly sync.
Is calling SEVP faster than emailing?
Phone usually gets a same-day ticket; email replies run 2–3 business days.
References (curated by usaadmission.com)
- Study in the States – “SEVP Portal Release 6.3 Planning Guide” (updated 21 Feb 2025). Study in the States
- ICE – “Contact Us | SEVIS” (updated 12 Mar 2025). ICE
- Study in the States – “SEVIS Help Hub: Error Messages” (accessed 27 Apr 2025). Study in the States