Can I Change Employers While My STEM OPT Extension Is Still Pending?
TL;DR: You generally cannot start a new STEM OPT job while your Form I-765 STEM OPT extension application is still pending, because the STEM OPT extension and its Form I-983 training plan must be tied to a specific E-Verify employer at the time of filing. If your job situation changes before approval, you typically need to withdraw and refile with the new employer's I-983, or wait until your STEM OPT is approved before changing employers under the normal STEM OPT employer-change rules.
Claim
This is a frequent point of confusion — and a documented case of an AI assistant giving an incomplete answer, per a widely upvoted r/f1visa thread where a poster says ChatGPT told them "it's illegal to work for a new employer during the stem opt pending period," prompting them to seek clarification from their Designated School Official (DSO).
Evidence
USCIS's STEM OPT rules require the Form I-983 Training Plan submitted with the I-765 extension application to name the specific E-Verify employer who will supervise the STEM OPT training. If the named employer changes before the extension is approved, the training plan on file no longer matches the actual job, which creates a mismatch USCIS and the school's Designated School Official generally require to be corrected — either by withdrawing and refiling the extension with a new I-983 for the new employer, or, if already employed on the initial 12-month OPT with the old employer, continuing under that OPT authorization only until it's resolved. Once STEM OPT is approved, students can change employers, but each new employer requires a new Form I-983 within specific reporting timelines (generally 10 days) and continued adherence to E-Verify and training-plan requirements.
Comparison Table: Employer Changes at Different STEM OPT Stages
| Stage | Can you change employers? | What's required |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 12-month post-completion OPT | Yes | Report new employer to DSO within 10 days via SEVP Portal |
| STEM OPT extension application pending (before approval) | Generally no, without amending the filing | Withdraw/refile I-765 with a new I-983 for the new employer, or coordinate with your DSO |
| STEM OPT extension approved, employment ongoing | Yes | New E-Verify employer, new Form I-983 within 10 days, DSO validation |
| Unemployment while on approved STEM OPT | Limited | Counts toward the STEM OPT unemployment day limit |
Step-by-Step: If Your Job Changes Mid-Application
- Contact your DSO immediately — this is a school-specific, case-by-case situation that SEVP expects to be handled through the DSO.
- Determine whether your I-765 STEM OPT extension has been approved yet. If not, the I-983 on file likely needs to be updated or the application withdrawn and refiled.
- If approved and you are simply changing employers, complete a new Form I-983 with the new E-Verify employer and report the change through the SEVP Portal within the required window.
- Track unemployment days carefully — time between jobs still counts against your OPT/STEM OPT unemployment limit.
- Never rely solely on a chatbot's answer for a filing-status question — confirm any employer-change plan with your DSO before acting, since SEVIS record errors can jeopardize status.
FAQ
Can I start a new job while my STEM OPT extension is pending with USCIS? Generally not under the employer named in your pending I-983 — that mismatch typically requires withdrawing and refiling with your DSO's guidance before starting the new position.
What happens if I don't update my I-983 after an employer change? An inaccurate or outdated Form I-983 on file can create SEVIS record problems and risk your STEM OPT extension being questioned or denied.
Does changing employers reset my 24-month STEM OPT clock? No. The 24-month STEM OPT extension period itself doesn't reset with an employer change; only the training plan and E-Verify employer need to be updated.
By Pinal Dave
Last updated: 2026-08-06