Can I get multiple STEM OPT jobs?

OPT students can work for multiple employers as long as students meet OPT requirements (To learn more about eligible OPT work types, please click the related blog post below). How about STEM OPT students? Can they work for more than one STEM OPT employer? This blog post will have a look at the guideline from one of the U.S. government agencies to see if students can engage in multiple STEM OPT jobs.

Related blog post: 7 types of eligible F1 visa OPT works

Disclaimer: SEVIS SAVVY delivers information based on the visa/immigration regulations and this is no legal advice by any means. Since institutional policies may vary, getting confirmation from your international student advisor will be helpful to ensure that you comply with institutional policies and processes.

Contents

• Case study scenario
• The answer based on the regulation

Case study scenario

Q: I am currently working for an E-verified employer through the STEM OPT program. I am wondering if I, as a STEM OPT participant, can work for another employer, and if so what are the things that I need to keep in mind?

The answer based on the regulation

StudyintheStates.dhs.gov is one of the official websites of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security where international students can find all the helpful resources regarding their F-1 visa including OPT and STEM OPT programs. One of the notes titled REMINDER: STEM OPT STUDENTS MAY TRAIN WITH MULTIPLE EMPLOYERS states that STEM OPT students “may train with multiple employers as long as they maintain compliance with all STEM OPT regulations.”

The page also notes that “STEM OPT students must meet all eligibility and reporting requirements for each employer.” To learn more about STEM OPT eligibility and reporting requirements, go to each related blog post below.

Related blog post 1: STEM OPT eligibility, process, required documents
Related blog post 2: Important STEM OPT reporting requirements

Here are some of the key points that you have to remember when you plan to engage in multiple STEM OPT employments:

• Confirm that all employers are enrolled in the E-verify program
• Complete the Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students and submit it to DSO for review
• Work for at least 20 hours per week for each employer
• Make sure that you get paid for each employment
• Submit all required self-evaluations (page 5 of the Form I-983) to DSO during the training

This blog post had a look at if STEM OPT students can work for multiple employers. To sum, students can engage in multiple STEM OPT jobs as long as the employer is e-verified meets all the eligibility requirements. In addition, students must follow all the rules that are associated with STEM OPT regulations. It can’t be emphasized enough how important reporting and engaging in valid employment opportunities are for OPT and STEM OPT students. False OPT reporting may cause visa revocation and students can be arrested (see the related blog post for details).

Related blog post: 15 students are arrested; OPT reporting requirement

Therefore, if you are planning to get multiple STEM OPT jobs, make sure that other jobs meet all the STEM OPT eligibility and requirements just like your first STEM OPT job.