An F-1 student on STEM OPT is facing uncertainty after their employer lost access to its E-Verify account. The issue could directly affect the validity of the student’s ongoing OPT employment and future immigration status.
E-Verify company profiles usually expire after nine months of inactivity. The student had applied for a STEM OPT extension in January. Continued access to E-Verify is essential for processing such applications without disruption.
Employers are required to create a dedicated E-Verify case for students applying under STEM OPT. If this step is missed or delayed, it may lead to complications. In some cases, it can even result in denial of the extension request.
The situation is more complex because the student belongs to a country currently facing a US processing pause. As a result, the final approval of the STEM OPT application remains on hold for now.
Immigration experts note that individual calls to USCIS rarely resolve account related issues. Only authorised representatives from the employer’s administration can take corrective action. This makes employer cooperation critical at this stage.
If E-Verify eligibility is not restored, the student’s STEM OPT application could become invalid. The immediate priority is for the employer to regain full access to the E-Verify system without delay.
As a precaution, experts suggest exploring opportunities with another E-Verified employer. However, changing jobs while an application is pending carries legal and procedural risks that must be carefully evaluated.
The employer’s HR department must urgently contact USCIS support to recover the account. Timely action may prevent a denial of the STEM OPT request. Without resolution, the student’s work authorisation could be severely impacted.
