E-Verify Number vs EIN: Which Number Goes on Form I-765 and Form I-983?
The E-Verify company ID is not the employer's EIN. STEM OPT applicants should obtain the correct number from HR or the E-Verify administrator.
Direct answer
An EIN is the employer's federal tax identification number. The E-Verify company identification number identifies the employer's E-Verify account and is the number requested for the STEM OPT employer in Form I-765. Form I-983 also asks for employer identifiers and details. Do not substitute the EIN, a client company's number, or the memorandum-of-understanding number; obtain the correct E-Verify company ID from the employer's authorized administrator.
What You Should Know First
- EIN and E-Verify company ID serve different systems.
- The hiring employer—not necessarily a client worksite—must support the training plan.
- A wrong number can trigger questions about STEM eligibility.
How to Recognize the Numbers
An EIN is typically formatted as nine digits with a hyphen and appears on tax/payroll records. The E-Verify company ID is assigned when the organization enrolls. Large employers may have multiple hiring sites or corporate accounts, so a number copied from the internet may not match the entity signing the I-983.
Ask HR or the E-Verify program administrator to confirm the legal entity name, hiring-site arrangement, and company ID in writing.
- EIN: IRS tax identifier
- E-Verify company ID: enrollment account identifier
- MOU number: not a substitute
- Client's number: not automatically the student's employer number
Cross-Check I-765 and I-983
Compare employer legal name, address, E-Verify number, supervisor, compensation, worksite, and employment start date. Differences may be legitimate, but they should be understood and documented rather than accidental.
The employer must be able to provide a bona fide training experience and required supervision. An E-Verify number alone does not make every arrangement STEM-compliant.
Vinay's practical note
Send HR a screenshot of the exact field label from the current form instructions. Asking only for ‘the company number’ is how EINs get substituted.
If You Already Filed the Wrong Number
Tell the DSO and employer, compare the source records, and obtain advice on an appropriate correction. Do not upload several competing numbers without a clear explanation.
Your Action Checklist
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Entering the EIN because it looks official.
- Using a client's E-Verify number for a staffing employer.
- Assuming E-Verify participation proves the training plan is valid.
See your OPT timeline in one dashboard
Track processing milestones, unemployment days, and deadlines alongside your case status.
Also see USCIS case status tracker features
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an E-Verify number the same as an EIN?
No. E-Verify and IRS tax identification are separate systems.
Where does the employer find its E-Verify ID?
The employer's E-Verify administrator can retrieve it from the company's enrollment/account records.
Can I search the E-Verify number online?
Public tools may confirm participation, but the employer should provide the exact account number used for your filing.
Official Sources
Rules can change. We checked this guide against the primary sources below; always open the current form instructions or agency page before acting.
Keep Reading
Written 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.