How to Change Employers on STEM OPT: New I-983 and SEVIS Deadlines
Changing jobs on STEM OPT is not like changing jobs on initial OPT. There are two simultaneous compliance tracks—closing the old opportunity and opening the new one— with a strict 10-day reporting window. Here is how to navigate both without creating a gap in your authorization.
Direct Answer
To change STEM OPT employers: (1) confirm the old training end date in writing, (2) complete the final Form I-983 evaluation with the old employer within 10 days of the training ending, (3) notify your DSO of the employer change within the applicable reporting window, (4) vet the new employer for E-Verify enrollment and I-983 capability, (5) complete a new Form I-983 with the new employer, and (6) receive DSO authorization before starting. Do not start with the new employer before the new I-983 is submitted and your DSO has confirmed the authorization.
| Action | Deadline | Who Does It |
|---|---|---|
| Final I-983 evaluation (old employer) | Within 10 days of training end | Student + old employer |
| Report employer change to DSO | Within 10 days of change | Student → DSO |
| New Form I-983 (new employer) | Before new training begins | Student + new employer → DSO |
| Six-month validation reports | Every 6 months from STEM start | Student + DSO |
| 12-month self-evaluation | At 12 months of STEM training | Student + employer → DSO |
Before You Give Notice: Due Diligence on the New Employer
The most common mistake students make is accepting a new offer under excitement or time pressure, giving notice at the old job, and then discovering the new employer is not E-Verify enrolled or cannot complete Form I-983. That sequence creates a gap that is both an unemployment problem and a compliance problem.
Before you give notice or accept a final offer, verify:
1. E-Verify enrollment
Visit e-verify.uscis.gov/emp and search for the employer by name and state. Confirm the employer has an active E-Verify company ID and a corresponding memorandum of understanding with DHS. If you cannot find the employer, ask HR for the E-Verify company ID directly.
2. Authorized signatory
Ask who will sign Form I-983 on the employer's behalf. It must be an individual with actual signing authority—not a recruiter, hiring manager, or HR coordinator who will need to escalate for approval. A form that cannot be signed in time is a form that delays your authorization.
3. Training plan feasibility
Form I-983 requires a genuine training plan with specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree. Ask the employer what the role's core technical duties are and whether they can articulate learning objectives. If the employer is vague or unfamiliar with I-983, budget extra time for the process.
4. Worksite and supervision
STEM OPT requires supervision and a real worksite. If the role is fully remote or involves working at a client site, confirm how the employer-employee relationship and supervision will be documented in the I-983.
Phase 1: Closing the Old STEM OPT Opportunity
Confirm your last day in writing
Get a written end-of-employment statement from HR that specifies the exact date you stopped performing STEM training duties. This is the date from which the 10-day final evaluation deadline runs.
Request the final I-983 evaluation
Send a written request to HR and your supervisor with the form attached, the 10-day deadline stated clearly, and a note that this is a federal obligation under the STEM OPT regulations. Keep a copy of every request and response.
Complete your own student self-evaluation section at the same time. You do not have to wait for the employer to complete their portion before you write yours.
Notify your DSO
Contact your DSO within the applicable reporting window (generally 10 days of the employer change or training end). Provide: old employer name, last day, new employer name and start date (if known), and your SEVIS ID.
Do not edit the SEVP Portal yourself
Unlike initial OPT, STEM OPT employer records involve Form I-983 and DSO coordination. Simply editing employer fields in the SEVP Portal does not complete the employer change process. Your DSO must coordinate the record update with your I-983 submission.
Phase 2: Opening the New STEM OPT Opportunity
Collect the new employer information needed for I-983
- Employer legal name (exactly as in E-Verify)
- Employer EIN (Federal Tax ID Number)
- E-Verify company ID number
- Worksite address (may differ from headquarters)
- Supervisor name, title, phone, and email
- Authorized signatory name, title, and contact
- Position title and primary STEM-related duties
- Learning objectives aligned with your qualifying degree
- Compensation rate and payment type (must be W-2)
- Minimum weekly hours (must be at least 20)
- Supervision and mentoring structure
Complete and submit the new Form I-983
Work through the form with the employer's HR team and the authorized signatory. Both the student and employer must sign. Submit the completed form to your DSO through the school's required process—email, portal upload, or in-person submission depending on your school.
Allow your DSO adequate processing time. Some DSOs can update records within a day or two; others may need a week. Factor this into your planned start date.
Wait for authorization before starting
Do not start work until your DSO has confirmed the new I-983 is on file, the SEVIS record reflects the new employer, and your authorization to begin the new training opportunity has been confirmed. Starting before this point risks creating an unauthorized employment period.
Managing the Gap Between Employers
Every calendar day between your last qualifying day with the old employer and your first qualifying day with the new employer counts toward your 150-day unemployment total (unless you have other concurrent qualifying employment). The goal is to minimize this gap through careful planning.
Practical ways to reduce the gap
- Start the new employer's I-983 process 2–3 weeks before your intended resignation
- Use your notice period at the old employer to complete the new I-983 in parallel
- Ask your DSO to review a draft I-983 before the final submission to catch errors
- Confirm the new employer's authorized signatory before giving notice at the old job
Track the exact days in the TrackMyOPT unemployment clock so you always know how many days remain.
Concurrent STEM OPT Employment
It is possible to hold more than one STEM OPT position at a time, but each position must independently qualify: E-Verify enrolled employer, qualifying training relationship, at least 20 combined hours (the regulations are nuanced on how hours are counted across concurrent positions), and a separate Form I-983 for each employer.
If you are considering adding a second STEM employer without leaving the first, discuss this with your DSO before accepting the second offer. Do not assume multiple employers work the same way they do under initial OPT.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly must I report a STEM OPT employer change?
DHS STEM OPT reporting requirements generally state that students must notify the DSO and submit a new Form I-983 within 10 days of an employer change. Confirm the exact process and deadline with your DSO, as school procedures may vary.
Do I need a final evaluation when I voluntarily change employers?
Yes. A final Evaluation of Student Progress is required whenever a STEM training opportunity ends — including voluntary resignations, not just layoffs. The 10-day deadline applies regardless of why the opportunity ended.
Can I change employers if the new company is not in E-Verify yet?
No. E-Verify enrollment is a STEM OPT employer requirement, not something the employer can complete after you start. Do not begin the new STEM training until the employer is enrolled and has an active company ID.
Can I keep working for both employers during the transition?
If both roles are qualifying concurrent STEM OPT positions, it may be possible — but each needs its own I-983 and the arrangement must be disclosed to and approved by your DSO. Do not assume the transition period counts as qualifying employment under the old I-983.
Does changing from a W-2 role to a contract (1099) role count as a STEM OPT employer change?
No — a 1099 contractor arrangement generally does not qualify for STEM OPT at all. STEM OPT requires an employer-employee (W-2) relationship. If your employment type changes, contact your DSO immediately; it may be treated as a loss of qualifying employment rather than an employer change.
My new employer has a different office address than where I will actually work. Which address goes on the I-983?
The worksite address where you will actually perform the training duties should be entered on the I-983. If you work remotely from home, discuss with your DSO how to document the supervision and training relationship accurately.
Official Sources
Immigration Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult your DSO and, when necessary, a licensed immigration attorney before making employment decisions that affect your STEM OPT authorization.
Related Guides
Laid Off on STEM OPT
Involuntary employer change — final evaluations, 150-day limit, and replacement employer search.
Read GuideEmployer Refuses to Sign Form I-983
What to do when the old or new employer won't complete the required documentation.
Read GuideSTEM OPT Employer Requirements
Full checklist of E-Verify, training plan, and compensation requirements.
Read GuideSTEM OPT Validation Report Calendar
All reporting deadlines — six-month validations, evaluations, and change reports.
Read GuideWritten by Vinay Kumar
Vinay is a content writer at TrackMyOPT who specializes in immigration guidance for international students. All content is researched using official USCIS, SEVP, and Department of Labor sources and reviewed for accuracy by the TrackMyOPT team, which includes former F-1 students who navigated OPT, STEM OPT, and H-1B transitions firsthand.