STEM OPT Extension - How to Fill out Form I-983?

This article will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to accurately fill out Form I-983 ( Training Plan for STEM OPT Students).

Form I-983 is divided into seven sections:

  1. Personal Information;

  2. Student Signature;

  3. Employer Information;

  4. Employer Signature;

  5. Training Plan for the OPT Period;

  6. Employer Signature;

  7. Evaluation Report, which must be jointly completed by the student and the employer.

Section 1: Personal Information (To be completed by the student)

E1

Note 1: The degree you use to apply for the STEM OPT Extension may not necessarily be your most recent degree.

Note 2: Your STEM OPT starts the day after your initial OPT ends and lasts for 24 months.

Section 2: Student Signature

Section 3: Employer Information (To be completed by the employer)

Section 4: Employer Signature

Section 5: Training Plan for STEM OPT  Students (To be completed jointly by the employer and the student)

E5

Section 6: Employer Signature

Section 7: Evaluation on Student Progress

E7

Important Notes:

  • If you have more than one supervisor, you can choose the signatory according to these two USCIS requirements: (1) The signatory must be a company employee with signatory authority; (2) The signatory must be familiar with the student’s work goals and performance.

  • The employer signatures on page 4 and page 6 can be provided by different people, depending on the company's structure.

  • If there are significant changes in employment conditions such as employment type, salary, or working hours, the employer should promptly notify the DSO and update the information.