Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students
Form I-983 is the formal training plan an F-1 student and their employer complete together to qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
This is the genuine ICE PDF, unmodified. Source: ICE official page.
What is I-983?
F-1 students with a qualifying STEM degree can extend post-completion Optional Practical Training by 24 months, but only with a structured training plan. Form I-983 documents that plan: the student’s learning objectives, how the employer will supervise and evaluate the training, and how the role relates to the STEM degree. The employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and attest to the terms, including compensation comparable to similarly situated US workers.
The form never goes to USCIS. It is submitted to the student’s designated school official (DSO), who keeps it and recommends the STEM OPT extension in SEVIS; the student then files Form I-765 with USCIS for the employment authorization itself. The plan is a living document: students complete self-evaluations at 12 months and at the end of training, and material changes require an updated I-983.
Who files I-983?
- F-1 students applying for the 24-month STEM OPT extension based on a qualifying STEM degree
- Employers of STEM OPT students, who complete and sign the employer sections and attestations
- Students changing employers during STEM OPT, who need a new I-983 for the new employer
- Students reporting material changes to an existing training plan or completing required self-evaluations
How to fill out I-983
- The student completes Sections 1 and 2 with their SEVIS ID, degree, and school information.
- The employer completes Sections 3 through 6, describing the role, supervision, compensation, and the formal training objectives in Section 5.
- Both the student and an appropriate employer official sign the certifications.
- Submit the completed form to your DSO, not to USCIS; the DSO recommends the extension in SEVIS.
- File Form I-765 with USCIS before your current OPT expires, then keep the I-983 updated with self-evaluations and any material changes.
Quick fill I-983 on this page
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Frequently asked questions
Where do I send Form I-983?
To your designated school official at the school that holds your SEVIS record. The DSO retains it and updates SEVIS; USCIS only receives your Form I-765 application for the work permit.
What if I change employers?
You and the new employer must complete a new Form I-983 and give it to your DSO within the reporting window, generally 10 days of the change. Complete a final evaluation for the employer you are leaving.
Does my employer need E-Verify?
Yes. Only employers enrolled in E-Verify can train STEM OPT students, and the employer must report certain changes, such as the student leaving, to the school.