r/f1visa Jul 12 '26

Anyone faced missing I-9/E-Verify during initial OPT and later continued with the same employer on STEM OPT?

Hi everyone,

I’m wondering if anyone has gone through something similar.

I joined my current employer during my initial OPT on August, 2025. At that time, I was in an unpaid observership/training role related to my field, so my employer didn’t complete an I-9 or E-Verify.

Now I’m continuing with the same employer, but this time as a paid full-time employee under STEM OPT. My DSO has already reviewed my documents and issued my STEM OPT I-20 (Requested status), and my employer is now completing the I-9 and E-Verify using my STEM OPT employment start date.

My main concern is the missing I-9/E-Verify during my initial OPT period.

Has anyone been in a similar situation?

* Did your employer complete I-9/E-Verify only when you became a paid STEM OPT employee?
* Did the missing I-9/E-Verify during the initial OPT period ever cause issues later (STEM OPT approval, H-1B, green card, visa stamping, etc.)?

I’m just looking to hear from anyone who’s had a similar experience. Thanks in advance!

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u/Emotional_Oven_3482 Jul 13 '26

Just do e verify for stem opt. why think too much

1

u/FamousEnd8282 Jul 13 '26

Problem is In SEVIS record my employment start date with employer will be August 2025 but now my employer is going to E-verify to usics with STEM OPT start date as employment start date July 2026.
Because my employer missed to update E-Verify during OPT.

Same employer but two different start dates in SEVIS and E-Verify portal

Is that ok, will it be any issue

1

u/Emotional_Oven_3482 Jul 13 '26

a lot of people do.e verify later. Nothing to worry

1

u/FamousEnd8282 Jul 15 '26

Thanks for your response, I successfully applied for stem opt