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Form I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students

How to complete the Form I-983 training plan for STEM OPT, including who fills out each section, the DSO submission process, and annual evaluation requirements.

7 min read

What Is Form I-983?

Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students, is the document that connects your employment to your degree field. It is completed jointly by you and your employer and reviewed by your DSO before any STEM OPT extension application can move forward.

The form serves two purposes: it commits your employer to providing structured training in your STEM field, and it establishes that your compensation is commensurate with similarly situated US workers in the same role and location.

The I-983 goes to your DSO, not to USCIS. Your DSO reviews and approves the training plan before issuing the updated I-20 that you include when filing the I-765 with USCIS.

Who Completes Each Section

The I-983 has five sections. Each has a different responsible party:

  1. Section 1 (Student): Personal information, your degree field and CIP code, and the employer's name and address.
  2. Section 2 (Employer): Company information, including the E-Verify Company ID, which your DSO will verify.
  3. Section 3 (Employer): How the position relates to your STEM degree. This section requires a substantive description, not a generic job title.
  4. Section 4 (Employer): Specific training objectives, supervision structure, and how progress will be evaluated.
  5. Section 5 (Employer): Attestation that your compensation is commensurate with US workers in similar roles at the same location.

A vague Section 3 is a common reason DSOs decline to recommend a STEM OPT extension. The employer must specifically describe how the work connects to the student's STEM degree, not just list job duties.

How to Submit the I-983

The completed I-983 is submitted to your DSO. After that:

  1. Your DSO reviews the training plan to confirm the position qualifies and the employer is enrolled in E-Verify.
  2. If approved, the DSO recommends the STEM extension in SEVIS and issues an updated I-20.
  3. You file Form I-765 with USCIS, including the I-983 and updated I-20.
  4. After USCIS approves, your new EAD is mailed to you.

The STEM OPT application must be filed with USCIS before your current OPT EAD expires. Missing the deadline means losing the ability to extend.

Annual Evaluations

The I-983 is not a one-time filing. Evaluations are required at two points during the STEM OPT period:

  • 12-month evaluation: both you and your employer complete the evaluation section of the I-983 and submit it to your DSO at the midpoint of the STEM extension.
  • Final evaluation: at the end of the 24-month STEM OPT period, the same process is repeated.

These evaluations confirm that the training described in the original I-983 is being carried out. Your DSO may contact your employer if evaluations are not received on time.

When Your Employer Changes

If you leave your current employer and begin working for a new one during STEM OPT, you must complete a new I-983 with the new employer and submit it to your DSO.

You cannot begin working for the new employer until your DSO has reviewed the new I-983 and updated your I-20. Starting work before the DSO updates your record is a violation of your F-1 status.

Your DSO must also update your employment record in SEVIS. Notify your DSO as early as possible when an employer change is coming, ideally before your last day at the current employer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit the I-983 electronically?
Your DSO sets the submission procedure. Most schools accept electronic submissions through their international student portal. Check with your DSO for their specific process.
What if my employer refuses to complete Section 2?
If your employer will not complete the I-983, you cannot proceed with the STEM OPT extension. Contact your DSO for guidance on your options.
What counts as a material change in job duties?
A material change significantly alters the connection between your work and your STEM field, or affects your compensation, supervision structure, or training objectives. If you are unsure whether a change is material, contact your DSO.

References

  1. USCIS Form I-983: Form I-983 instructions
  2. 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(C)(7): STEM OPT training plan requirements

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