STEM OPT E-Verify Rule: How to Check an Employer
Your STEM OPT employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and stay in good standing. Without it, you cannot get or keep the extension. You can check a company yourself in the public E-Verify employer search, then confirm by asking the employer for its E-Verify company ID number.
Every job is from an employer that filed H1Bs in 2025. See which ones fit your resume.
Why E-Verify is required
The STEM OPT rules make E-Verify enrollment a condition for employers. USCIS says enrollment is shown by a valid E-Verify company ID number, or a client company ID if the employer uses an agent.
Your I-765 for STEM OPT asks for that number. Each new employer or new work site must be enrolled before you start.
How to check a company
- Open the E-Verify employer search on e-verify.gov.
- Search the company's legal name, then its brand or DBA name.
- Check that the status shows enrolled, not terminated.
- Look at the hiring site states. Not every site of an employer is always enrolled.
- Ask HR for the E-Verify company ID number for your I-983 and I-765.
- Use E-Verify employers to see enrollment alongside H-1B and OPT history.
| Employer | H-1B filings | Transfers | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.Com Services LLC | 14,047 | 2,382 | $155k |
| Cognizant Technology Solutions US CorpGC frozen | 10,209 | 872 | $110k |
| Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | 9,808 | 269 | $143k |
| Google LLC | 7,899 | 844 | $186k |
| Microsoft CorporationGC frozen | 7,840 | 879 | $173k |
| Tata Consultancy Services LimitedGC frozen | 7,287 | 353 | $86k |
Why a company may not show up
The search shows the name the employer entered at enrollment. If you know the business by another name, it may not appear.
Data is self-reported, and USCIS updates the tool daily. A company that changed its name may still appear under its old name. Ask HR before you worry.
If the employer uses an E-Verify employer agent, it has a client company ID instead of its own company ID. E-Verify says that number works for STEM OPT.
If the employer is not enrolled
An employer can enroll online at e-verify.gov. It signs a memorandum of understanding and then must verify all new hires at the enrolled site, not only you.
It must be enrolled before you start STEM OPT work there. If it will not enroll, the job cannot support STEM OPT. You could still work there on regular OPT time you have left.
What to collect for your application
A mismatch between these details on your I-983, I-765 and SEVIS record can slow your case. Check them before you file.
- The employer's name exactly as it appears in E-Verify.
- Its E-Verify company ID number, or client company ID if it uses an agent.
- Its EIN, which also goes on your Form I-983 and into SEVIS.
- The address of the site where you will work, which must be enrolled.
- Your supervisor's name, phone and email for your DSO.
Other employer duties beyond E-Verify
E-Verify is only one part. The employer must also have a real employer-employee relationship with you, a valid EIN, a signed I-983 training plan, and pay comparable to similar US workers.
See the STEM OPT hub for the full list, and STEM OPT employers for companies that hire STEM OPT workers.
This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm your situation with your DSO or an immigration attorney.
Questions
How do I check if a company uses E-Verify?
Search the company in the E-Verify employer search on e-verify.gov, then ask HR for its E-Verify company ID number.
My employer is not in the E-Verify search. Should I worry?
Not yet. The tool shows the name used at enrollment, and agent-based employers use a client company ID. Ask HR to confirm.
Can I search E-Verify by EIN?
The public tool is built around employer names, sites and status. Ask the employer directly for its E-Verify company ID.
Can a company enroll in E-Verify just for me?
It can enroll at any time, but must then verify all new hires at the enrolled site. Enrollment must be in place before you start.
Does pre-completion or regular OPT require E-Verify?
No. Only the STEM OPT extension requires an E-Verify employer.
Sources
- USCIS: Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students
- E-Verify: How to Find Participating Employers
- E-Verify FAQ: Company ID number for STEM OPT when the employer uses an agent
- Study in the States: F-1 STEM OPT Extension (SEVIS Help Hub)
- Study in the States: STEM OPT Frequently Asked Questions
