STEM OPT job change

This page is part of the OPT and STEM OPT — complete guide cluster. For the E-Verify requirement that must be confirmed before a new I-983 is signed, read STEM OPT E-Verify requirements.

Who this is for

An F-1 STEM OPT holder changing employers or experiencing a material change in job conditions during the 24-month extension period. This includes students who have accepted a new position with a different employer, students whose current job duties or reporting structure has changed significantly, and students who are considering a job change and need to understand the reporting requirements and unemployment cap implications before making the transition. Understanding your reporting obligations before you accept a new position helps you plan the transition timeline and avoid unemployment gaps between roles.

This guide covers the reporting obligations specific to STEM OPT job changes. The rules differ from standard OPT because STEM OPT requires a formal training plan (Form I-983), an E-Verify enrolled employer, and structured evaluations. If you are on standard OPT and changing employers, the requirements are simpler — update your DSO within 10 days through the SEVP Portal, but no new Form I-983 is required. Read the OPT and STEM OPT — complete guide for a full comparison of OPT and STEM OPT reporting obligations.

The controlling source

Primary controlling source: 8 CFR § 214.2(f)(12)(ii); 8 CFR § 214.2(f)(11).

Change types and what each requires

New employer

Changing to a new employer triggers the most comprehensive set of reporting obligations. You must complete a new Form I-983 signed by the new employer before training begins at the new position. The new employer must be E-Verify enrolled under the specific EIN that will employ you — not just the parent company or a related entity. Report the employer change in the SEVP Portal within 10 days of the change. Do not begin work at the new employer before the new I-983 is signed by both you and the employer and reviewed by your DSO. Starting work before the I-983 is processed can result in a finding of unauthorized training, which may lead to SEVIS termination and loss of STEM OPT eligibility.

The new I-983 must include updated training objectives, a detailed description of the new role's connection to your STEM degree, and the new employer's E-Verify credentials. Submit the new I-983 to your DSO for review and SEVIS update at least two weeks before your intended start date to allow time for processing. If the new employer is not yet E-Verify enrolled, they must enroll before you can begin work — the enrollment process typically takes 3 to 5 business days but can take longer if the employer has compliance issues.

Same employer — material change in duties, supervisor, or worksite

A change in job title, primary duties, reporting supervisor, or physical worksite at the same employer may constitute a material change to the training plan. Material changes require a new or amended Form I-983 before the new conditions begin. The key test is whether the change affects the training objectives, the degree-related skills being developed, or the supervision structure outlined in the original I-983. A promotion that involves the same technical skills and the same supervisor, for example, may not be material, while a move to a completely different department or function almost certainly is.

Minor administrative changes that do not affect the training relationship or training objectives may not require a new I-983, but always confirm with your DSO what counts as a material change under current SEVP guidance. When in doubt, submit an amended I-983 — having an updated training plan on file is safer than facing a compliance finding during a future immigration filing. Your DSO can advise on whether the change requires a new SEVIS entry or can be handled through a note in the existing SEVIS record. Document the change in the SEVP Portal within 10 days regardless of whether a new I-983 is required.

Address change

Student address changes must be reported in the SEVP Portal within 10 days. Worksite address changes that affect the employer's E-Verify worksite coverage may also require verification before the change takes effect.

Document checklist

• Old I-983 final evaluation — complete any required periodic evaluation before the change. If you are at the 6-month or 12-month evaluation point, complete the evaluation for the current position before starting the new I-983.
• New Form I-983 — signed by new employer before training begins at the new position. The form must include specific training objectives, a detailed explanation of how the role relates to your STEM degree, and the employer's E-Verify credentials.
• New employer E-Verify enrollment evidence — company ID and worksite confirmation showing that the specific EIN that will employ you is enrolled in E-Verify. A parent company's enrollment does not cover a subsidiary's EIN.
• SEVP Portal update — completed within 10 days of the change. Log into the Portal, update the employer information, and confirm that the changes are reflected in your SEVIS record.
• Offer letter from new employer confirming that the job duties map to the qualifying STEM degree listed on your I-20. The letter should describe the position's responsibilities clearly enough to demonstrate the academic connection.
• DSO review and SEVIS record update — the DSO reviews the new I-983 and updates your SEVIS record to reflect the new employer. Confirm with your DSO that the update was completed before your first day at the new position.

Keep copies of all documents organized by employer in a dedicated folder. You may need to produce the I-983, E-Verify confirmation, and evaluation records during future immigration filings, including H-1B change of status petitions or green card applications. A complete paper trail demonstrating continuous, authorized STEM OPT training strengthens your case in any future immigration benefit filing where your employment history is relevant. Maintaining organized records for each employer also helps you track evaluation deadlines and avoid missing the 6-month or 12-month evaluation windows during transitions.

Timeline

• Before starting at new employer: New I-983 signed by both you and the employer, DSO has reviewed and approved the training plan, SEVIS record updated to reflect the new employer. Do not begin work until all three steps are complete — starting early can result in a finding of unauthorized training.
• Within 10 days of change: SEVP Portal updated for employer name, address, or supervisor changes. The 10-day clock starts from the date the change occurs — your first day at the new position, your last day at the old position, or the date your job duties change materially — not from when you receive the new I-983 or offer letter.
• At 6 and 12 months: Complete required I-983 evaluations. An employer change does not reset the evaluation schedule — track evaluations against the original STEM OPT start date, not the new employer's start date. If you change employers 8 months into your STEM OPT, you must still complete the 12-month evaluation based on the original start date, not 12 months from the new employer start date.

Multiple concurrent employers on STEM OPT

STEM OPT regulations permit working for more than one employer simultaneously, provided each employer is E-Verify enrolled and has a separate, signed Form I-983 training plan on file before training begins. The student must maintain a minimum of 20 hours of work per week across all STEM OPT positions. Each employer must be independently E-Verify enrolled under its own EIN — a staffing agency placement at a client that is not the I-983 signatory creates employer-identity risk. Report each employer in the SEVP Portal separately. The 150-day aggregate unemployment cap applies cumulatively across all positions; a gap in a single position that is compensated by increased hours at another position does not count as unemployment for that period. Keep a separate I-983 file for each employer, including the signed training plan, evaluation records, and E-Verify verification.

Using the SEVP Portal for job changes

The SEVP Portal is the primary tool for reporting employer, address, and personal information changes during STEM OPT. After your STEM OPT is approved, the DSO provides you with access to the Portal through a registration link sent to your email. Within the Portal, you can update your employer name, supervisor contact information, worksite address, and personal address. You must complete updates within 10 days of any change. The Portal also displays your cumulative unemployment days — check this regularly to ensure you are not approaching the 150-day cap. If you have difficulty accessing the Portal, contact your DSO to reset your account or verify that your STEM OPT status is correctly reflected in SEVIS. Some DSOs prefer to handle changes directly rather than through the Portal — confirm your school's preferred method before relying on the Portal for critical updates.

Worked example

A student changes from data analyst to product manager at the same employer. The employer name and EIN stay the same, but the job duties, required skills, and training objectives are materially different. The training plan changed materially; a new or amended Form I-983 is required before the new role begins — not after the fact. The practical fix is to treat a title or duties change as a training-plan event, not just a payroll event.

What to do next

• For E-Verify verification at the new employer, read STEM OPT E-Verify requirements.
• For the full STEM OPT extension filing checklist, read STEM OPT 24-month extension checklist.
• For unemployment cap tracking during an employer gap, read OPT 90-day unemployment cap.

This guide is general information, not legal advice for your specific situation. A licensed attorney or regulated adviser should review your documents before you rely on a strategy or deadline.