STEM OPT employers E-Verify list: how to check

LiveRec EditorialUpdated

US federal rules as of October 30, 2026. Sources re-checked against official pages on October 30, 2026. Where a figure could not be confirmed, this page links the official source instead of stating it.

To work on a STEM OPT extension, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and in good standing. LiveRec does not publish a list of E-Verify employers, because enrolment changes. Ask the employer for its E-Verify company ID, which you need for Form I-983.

What does the employer have to do?

  • Be enrolled in E-Verify.
  • Complete Form I-983, the training plan, attesting it has the resources and people to train you, that you will not replace a US worker, and that the role fits your training goals.
  • Report changes as required.

How can I check?

Ask for the company ID. The E-Verify Employer Search tool lists enrolled employers; E-Verify says its database includes only employers that self-reported five or more employees, so a missing company may still be enrolled. Employers may share their E-Verify company ID, which you must put on Form I-765 (E-Verify FAQ, checked 2026-10-30).

How do I find roles on LiveRec?

Roles tagged "F-1 STEM-OPT" mean the employer says it hires people on that authorisation. Confirm the E-Verify enrolment before you accept.

What does USCIS say an employer must be?

For a STEM OPT student, USCIS lists these employer requirements:

  • Enrolled in E-Verify, shown by a valid E-Verify company ID or, if an employer agent creates its cases, a valid client company ID.
  • A participant in good standing with E-Verify, as determined by USCIS.
  • Holder of a valid Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.
  • Reporting material changes in the student's employment by submitting a modified Form I-983 to the DSO at the earliest opportunity.
  • Reporting the student's termination or departure to the DSO within 5 business days.
  • Implementing a formal training program that builds on the student's academic learning, with an opportunity commensurate with similarly situated US workers in duties, hours and compensation.

What does the employer attest on Form I-983?

USCIS says the employer must have and maintain a bona fide employer-employee relationship with the student, have sufficient resources and personnel to provide the training at the location on the form, not replace a full- or part-time, temporary or permanent US worker with the student, and make sure the training helps the student reach the training goals. DHS may conduct a site visit to check that the employer has the ability, personnel and resources for structured, guided work-based learning.

Step by step: vetting an employer

  1. Ask the recruiter early whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify and will sign a Form I-983. Do not wait for the offer letter.
  2. Ask for the E-Verify company ID, or the employer agent's client company ID. You need the employer's name as listed in E-Verify and its ID for Form I-765.
  3. Ask who will supervise your training and where. The Form I-983 must name the location.
  4. Ask how the company handles modified Form I-983 filings when your duties or pay change.
  5. Share the draft training plan with your DSO before you file.

What does the student have to do after the extension?

USCIS says to report changes to your legal name, address, email, employer name and employer address to your DSO within 10 days, and to confirm your information with your DSO every 6 months.

Common mistakes

  • Taking a role at a company that says it "will enroll later". The extension application needs the employer's E-Verify name and ID.
  • Treating an offer letter as a Form I-983. They are different documents.
  • Not telling the DSO when the job ends. The employer must report it within 5 business days, and you should report too.

FAQ

Can a staffing agency be the STEM OPT employer? Special rules apply to third-party placements. Ask your DSO.

What if my employer is not enrolled? You cannot use STEM OPT with it.

Is there an official list of STEM OPT employers? USCIS lists requirements, not a directory of employers. Ask the employer for its company ID.

Does the employer need an EIN? Yes. USCIS lists a valid IRS-issued EIN as a requirement.

Do I need a DSO to approve the employer? The DSO endorses your Form I-20 and receives the Form I-983 from you and the employer. Your school may have its own checklist.

Next step: Search F-1 STEM-OPT roles.

Sources

This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.