Switching Jobs on OPT: Essential Rules for F-1 Students in 2025

Switching jobs while you are on Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT is allowed, but each change comes with strict rules that can affect your F‑1 status and future immigration plans in the United States 🇺🇸. This step‑by‑step guide walks through the full process of changing employers, explains what happens at each stage, and shows what you and your Designated School Official (DSO) need to do to keep your record clean in SEVIS, the federal student database.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, most problems for students do not come from working itself, but from missing simple reporting steps or ignoring unemployment limits. The aim here is not to scare you, but to help you plan ahead and stay calm and confident as you move between jobs.

How OPT and STEM OPT fit into your post‑graduation journey

Before switching employers, be clear about which work period you are in.

• Regular OPT: Usually up to 12 months of work authorization after you finish your program.
• STEM OPT: A longer, STEM‑only extension with tighter rules, including an E‑Verify employer requirement and a formal training plan.

During both OPT and STEM OPT, you must:

• Keep your work directly related to the degree you completed.
• Stay within strict unemployment limits.
• Report changes to your DSO so your SEVIS record is correct.

If your SEVIS record is wrong or incomplete, your OPT or STEM OPT can be terminated, which can cause serious trouble later for H‑1B, Green Card, or other status changes.

For official background on post‑completion OPT and STEM OPT, see the Department of Homeland Security “Study in the States” guidance on F‑1 students and training options at the government website Study in the States.

Stage 1: Before you leave your first OPT job

When you start thinking about leaving your current role, do not wait until the last day. The way you exit your first job affects how smooth your next one will be.

During regular OPT, you should:

• Check how many unemployment days you have already used. You are allowed a total of 90 days of unemployment during the entire regular OPT period.
• Keep copies of:
  • Job offer letter or contract
  • Start and (planned) end dates
  • Job description or email that shows how the role tied to your degree

During STEM OPT, you must also handle paperwork linked to your training plan:

• Complete the “Final Evaluation” on Student Progress (Page 5) of Form I‑983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students for the job you are leaving.
• Submit that final evaluation to your DSO when you leave the employer.

The official I‑983 form and instructions are available on the Department of Homeland Security site at Form I‑983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students.

Stage 2: Finding a new job that actually qualifies

Not every job offer will work for OPT or STEM OPT. Before you accept, check the position carefully.

For regular OPT, the main test is:

• Is the job directly related to your major?
  The role should clearly match your academic field in a way you can explain and document.

For STEM OPT, you must meet all of the following:

• The job is directly related to your STEM degree.
• The employer is enrolled in E‑Verify.
• The employer is willing to:
  • Complete and sign a new Form I‑983
  • Provide training and supervision that match the plan
  • Accept the reporting duties tied to the training plan

Practical steps before accepting an offer (especially on STEM OPT):

1. Ask: “Are you enrolled in E‑Verify?”
2. Confirm they will sign Form I‑983 and follow the training plan.
3. Request a written job description and title that clearly link to your field of study.

If an employer will not join E‑Verify or refuses to sign the I‑983, that company is not a safe choice for STEM OPT—even if the salary looks good.

Stage 3: Counting and managing unemployment time

Gaps between jobs during OPT or STEM OPT may count as unemployment.

• During regular OPT: You are allowed up to 90 days of unemployment for the entire 12‑month period. Going beyond 90 days can lead to termination of OPT.
• During the STEM OPT extension: You get an additional 60 days of unemployment. Across both OPT and STEM OPT, that equals 150 days total.

Why this matters:

• Keep the gap between jobs as short as possible.
• Track unemployment days on a simple spreadsheet or calendar.
• Save emails showing resignation dates and start dates to prove your timeline if needed.

Many students lose track and later discover they exceeded the limit. Staying organized prevents that.

Stage 4: Working with your Designated School Official (DSO)

Your DSO is responsible for keeping your SEVIS record accurate. You cannot change SEVIS yourself; the DSO does it based on what you report.

Whenever you start or leave a job during OPT or STEM OPT:

• Report the change within 10 days.
• Provide requested details, usually including:
  • Employer name and address
  • Job title
  • Start date (and end date when you leave)
  • A brief description of how the job relates to your degree

Most schools provide an online portal or OPT/STEM OPT update form. Use those tools so there is a clear record.

What the DSO does after you report:

• Updates your SEVIS record with employer and change dates.
• Issues a new I‑20 that reflects your current employer, if required.
• For STEM OPT, confirms receipt of your new Form I‑983 and, when you leave, your final evaluation page.

If you fail to report within 10 days, you risk:

• Compliance flags in SEVIS
• Possible termination of OPT/STEM OPT authorization
• Future scrutiny when applying for H‑1B or a Green Card

Important: Always use your school’s official reporting process and keep copies of submissions and confirmations.

Stage 5: Extra steps when switching jobs on STEM OPT

Switching employers while on STEM OPT requires formal training plan changes.

You and your new employer must:

1. Prepare a new Form I‑983
   • Explain learning goals, how tasks support those goals, and supervision/evaluation methods.
   • Employer completes their sections and signs the form.
2. Submit the new I‑983 to your DSO
   • Many schools require submission before they update SEVIS.
   • Some will not approve the new employer until they review the training plan.
3. Complete the final evaluation for your old employer
   • Use Page 5 of the I‑983 for the job you are leaving.
   • Provide that page to your DSO so the old employer record is closed properly.
4. Confirm E‑Verify status
   • Keep proof (e.g., HR email) that the employer is E‑Verify enrolled.

If any of these steps are skipped, your STEM OPT can be at risk—even if you are working full time and being paid.

Stage 6: Updating your I‑20 and travel outside the U.S.

When your job changes, your I‑20 should reflect your current employer details—especially if you plan to travel.

Before leaving the U.S. during OPT or STEM OPT, make sure you have:

• A valid F‑1 visa in your passport.
• An I‑20 recently signed by your DSO, showing your current employer if reported.
• A current employment verification letter or job offer that states:
  • Your job title
  • That you are employed (or will be employed)
  • Employer contact details

For STEM OPT travelers, also carry:

• Proof of the employer’s E‑Verify status (letter or company email).
• A copy of your signed Form I‑983.

Re‑entry risk increases if:

• Your SEVIS record is not updated to show your new job.
• You have a long period of unemployment close to or over the allowed limit.
• You left the country after quitting one job and before another job is recorded in SEVIS.

Because of this, it is usually safer to talk with your DSO before any international trip while switching jobs.

Stage 7: Building a strong document trail for your future

Keep a well‑organized folder (digital or physical) with all relevant documents. Many students discard papers and later regret it.

Recommended documents to retain:

• Job offer letters and contracts
• Job descriptions showing duties and relation to your field
• Start and end date confirmations for each employer
• Copies of all I‑20s issued during OPT and STEM OPT
• All versions of Form I‑983, including:
  • Initial training plans
  • Mid‑term evaluations (if done)
  • Final evaluations after leaving each STEM job
• Pay slips or other proof of employment, especially near unemployment thresholds

These documents help later when applying for H‑1B, a Green Card, or other status changes by showing you:

• Worked in roles matching your field of study
• Followed reporting rules
• Did not work for a non‑qualifying employer during STEM OPT

What this process means for your long‑term plans

For many international students, OPT and STEM OPT are a bridge to long‑term goals:

• H‑1B sponsorship and skilled employment
• Permanent residency (Green Card) in the U.S.
• Building an international career if you return home later

U.S. authorities increasingly scrutinize student work authorization and status changes. Small errors—such as working one month for a non‑E‑Verify employer on STEM OPT or failing to submit a final evaluation page—can create questions years later.

Treat each job switch as a formal process:

• Check employer eligibility (E‑Verify for STEM OPT).
• Count unemployment days carefully.
• Work closely with your DSO.
• Submit every required form (including Form I‑983).
• Keep detailed records.

Key takeaway: By following these steps and maintaining thorough documentation, you protect both your present F‑1 status and your future immigration options in the United States.