What is E-Verify?
E-Verify is a US government online system employers use to confirm that new hires are authorised to work. STEM OPT employers must be enrolled in it. Employers use it after hiring, comparing the information on a new hire's Form I-9 with government records. Whether an employer must use it depends on the employer and on state rules.
How it works
The employer enters information from the new hire's Form I-9. E-Verify checks it against Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records and returns a result, according to the program, in as little as three to five seconds. Employers do not pay to use the system.
E-Verify and Form I-9
They are different things. The Form I-9 is the paper or electronic form every US employer completes for each new hire. E-Verify is the online check that compares the form's information with government records. See Form I-9.
Why it matters to students on OPT
An employer that wants to hire a student on the STEM OPT extension must be enrolled and must give the student its E-Verify company ID. That is why a good question to ask during hiring is whether the company uses E-Verify. See STEM OPT.
What to do if there is a problem
If the system does not immediately confirm a worker, the employer and employee each have steps to follow. The E-Verify site has separate guidance for employers and for employees on those steps and on worker rights. Ask the employer to follow them, and contact an attorney if you are unsure.
Example
Ask the employer for its E-Verify company ID before your STEM OPT application.
Related terms and guides
Sources
- E-Verify (DHS), https://www.e-verify.gov, live official page, linked for readers; link accessed 31 October 2026, facts in this entry checked against it
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.