How Do You Report an Employer Change on OPT?

Standard OPT Employer Change Reporting

When you change employers on standard post-completion OPT, the reporting process is straightforward but time-sensitive. Within 10 days of starting your new position, you must contact your Designated School Official and provide the following information: your new employer's legal name and physical address, your job title, your start date, whether the position is full-time or part-time, and how the role relates to your field of study.

Your DSO will use this information to update your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record. An up-to-date SEVIS record is essential because it serves as the official government record of your employment status. If your SEVIS record shows you as unemployed when you are actually working, it could count against your unemployment days and create complications for future immigration applications.

Most schools have an online form or email process for reporting employment changes. Check with your international student office to learn the preferred method. Some schools require you to submit a copy of your offer letter along with the reporting form. Complete this process promptly—the 10-day window begins on your first day of work at the new employer, not when you receive or accept the offer.

• Notify your DSO within 10 days of starting the new position
• Provide: employer name, address, job title, start date, full-time/part-time status
• DSO will update your SEVIS record
• Keep a copy of your offer letter and employment documents
• Also report when you leave an employer

STEM OPT Employer Change Reporting

If you are on the STEM OPT extension, changing employers involves additional steps beyond the standard OPT process. In addition to notifying your DSO, you must update your employment information directly through the SEVP Portal at sevp.ice.gov. The SEVP Portal is the government system that STEM OPT holders use to manage their employment records.

You will also need to complete a new Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students, with your new employer. The I-983 must be signed by both you and your employer's responsible supervisor, and it outlines the learning objectives, mentorship plan, and how the position relates to your STEM degree. Submit the completed I-983 to your DSO, who will review it and update SEVIS.

Before starting work with the new employer, verify that the company is enrolled in E-Verify. E-Verify enrollment is a mandatory requirement for all STEM OPT employers. You can check E-Verify enrollment status through the E-Verify employer search tool on the USCIS website. Working for a non-E-Verify employer on STEM OPT is a violation of your status.

What to Report When Leaving an Employer

Reporting is not just for new employers—you must also report when you leave a position. Notify your DSO of the end date of your employment so they can update your SEVIS record. This is important because from the day after your last day of work, your unemployment clock resumes (assuming you do not have another qualifying position).

If you are leaving one job and starting another, report both the end of the old position and the start of the new one. If there is a gap between positions, those days count as unemployment. Plan your transitions carefully to minimize gaps, and keep your DSO informed throughout the process.

Failure to report employment changes can have serious consequences. If USCIS discovers that your SEVIS record does not accurately reflect your employment history, it could be considered a failure to maintain status. This can affect future visa applications, green card eligibility, and even re-entry to the United States after travel.