Illinois Tech Career Services · International Students
Confirming Employment Eligibility
Know whether an employer can support your work authorization — before you accept the offer.
E-Verify is a free, internet-based system that confirms an employee’s eligibility to work in the United States. It compares the information from an employee’s Form I-9 against records held by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration.
The check is fast — most cases return a result almost immediately by cross-referencing federal records. Employers enroll voluntarily (some are required to), so not every employer participates.
Why It Matters for International Students
STEM OPT Requires an E-Verify Employer
If you plan to use the 24-month STEM OPT extension, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify — it is a federal requirement for that extension, not a preference.
So check status before you invest in an application, and certainly before you accept. An employer that is not enrolled can still hire you on your initial 12-month OPT — but that pathway ends at twelve months rather than thirty-six. (E-Verify enrollment is not required for H-1B sponsorship, though an E-Verify employer signals readiness to support work authorization.)
Career Services helps you research employers and plan your search. Your official immigration guidance comes from the Office of Global Services — talk with them about your specific situation before you make any decision that depends on work authorization.
+Official Sources & How to Search Accurately
E-Verify.gov, USCIS STEM OPT rules, Office of Global Services — and the search tips that prevent a false negative▾
Check an Employer
- Illinois Tech E-Verify Search — the campus tool, and the fastest place to start
- Official E-Verify Employer Search — the federal database of participating employers
- E-Verify.gov — the Department of Homeland Security program itself: how it works and who must enroll
Know the Rules
- USCIS: STEM OPT Extension — the federal rules, including the E-Verify requirement
- Illinois Tech OPT STEM Extension — our own application steps, deadlines, and reporting requirements
- DHS Study in the States — the plain-language federal explanation of working on an F-1 visa
Three Tips So the Search Does Not Mislead You
- Search the legal entity, not the brand. Employers enroll under their registered name, which is often the parent company or a subsidiary you have never heard of. Try variations before you conclude they are not enrolled.
- A miss is not proof. The database reflects current enrollments and can lag — if a company is not listed, ask the recruiter directly: “Is your organization enrolled in E-Verify?” It is a normal, professional question.
- Confirm before you commit. Get the answer in writing from the employer, then take it to the Office of Global Services — they confirm what it means for your timeline.
Building a target list as an international student? Bring it to a coach — we will help you check E-Verify status across every employer on it before you spend a single application on the wrong one.
Talk with a Career CoachMore in Career Resources
Job Search Strategy · Informational Interviews · Remote Work · Salary Negotiation · Interview Prep · Resumes
Career Services provides career guidance, not immigration or legal advice. All external resources independently verified by Career Services, July 2026.
