Completing the Form I-983 - Training Plan for STEM OPT Students

Sep 19, 2026

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Guide for completing Form I-983, the Training Plan for STEM OPT Students, for nonimmigrant students and their employers under the STEM OPT extension. Covers when the form is effective, acceptable signature methods (physical and specific electronic signature formats), and the required entries across Sections 1–6. Includes detailed instructions for student information, student certification, employer information, employer certification, and the training plan fields, plus requirements tied to SEVIS data, dates, and qualifying STEM program details.

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Pages5

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Completing the Form I-983: Training Plan for STEM OPT Students

Note on Acceptable Signatures

Section 1: Student Information (Completed by Student)

Section 2: Student Certification

Section 3: Employer Information (Completed by Employer)

Section 4: Employer Certification

Section 5: Training Plan for STEM OPT Students (Completed by Student and Employer)

Section 6: Employer Official Certification

Evaluation on Student Progress and Final Evaluation on Student Progress

Completing the Form I‐983: Training Plan for STEM OPT Students Nonimmigrant students participating in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) extension of optional practical training (OPT) and their employers are subject to the terms of the Form I‐ 983,“Training Plan for STEM OPT Students,” effective as of the start date requested for STEM OPT on the Form I‐983 . Note on Acceptable Signatures: Students and employers may physically sign the Form I-983 or input their own electronic signature. SEVP accepts electronic signatures in the following formats: • Electronic signatures using software programs or applications. Students and employers may sign all signature fields on the Form I-983 using electronic signatures produced with software programs or applications. • Electronically reproduced copies of a signature. Students and employers may sign all signature fields on the Form I-983 using digitally reproduced copies of a signature. A digitally reproduced copy may be a scanned image of a physical signature. Section 1: Student Information (Completed by Student) .................................................................................. 2 Section 2: Student Certification ........................................................................................................................ 3 Section 3: Employer Information (Completed by Employer) ............................................................................ 3 Section 4: Employer Certification...................................................................................................................... 3 Section 5: Training Plan for STEM OPT Students (Completed by Student and Employer) ............................... 4 Section 6: Employer Official Certification ........................................................................................................ 5 Evaluation on Student Progress and Final Evaluation on Student Progress ....................................................... 5 Section 1: Student Information (Completed by Student) o Student Name: Enter your full name (Surname/Primary Name, Given/First Name) exactly as it appears on your Form I‐20,“Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.” o Student Email Address: Enter the email address where you can be contacted. o Name of School Recommending STEM OPT: Enter the name of the school where you were most recently enrolled. The designated school official (DSO) at this school will be the official recommending the STEM OPT. o Name of School Where STEM Degree Was Earned: Enter the name of the school from which you earned the degree upon which the STEM OPT is based. This may or may not be the same school recommending the STEM OPT depending on whether you are using a prior STEM degree to qualify. o SEVIS School Code of School Recommending STEM OPT: Enter the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) school code of the school recommending the STEM OPT (include the three‐digit suffix) This will be your current school or the school where you were most recently enrolled. o DSO Name and Contact Information: Enter the full name and contact information, including official address, phone number, and email address, of the DSO who recommended the STEM OPT and issued the Form I-20. o Student SEVIS ID Number: Enter your SEVIS identification (ID) number. o STEM OPT Requested Period: Enter the period during which you are requesting to work on STEM OPT (regardless of whether the authorized dates match the actual training dates) . Note that the STEM OPT extension may not end more than 24 months after the scheduled termination of the student’s Employment Authorization Document for the current period of post‐completion OPT. The start date for the STEM OPT extension should be the day after your current 12‐month OPT ends. o Qualifying Major and Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code: Enter your STEM major that qu

FAQs

What is Form I-983 and when does it apply?

Form I-983 is the Training Plan for STEM OPT Students. It applies to nonimmigrant STEM OPT extension participants and their employers, effective as of the requested STEM OPT start date.

What signature methods are accepted for Form I-983?

Students and employers may physically sign the form or use electronic signatures. Electronic signatures are accepted when produced by software applications, and electronically reproduced signature copies (including scanned physical signatures) are also accepted.

Which sections does the guide cover for completing Form I-983?

The guide explains required content and entries across Sections 1 through 6, including student information and certification, employer information and certification, the training plan section, and employer official certification, plus evaluation of student progress.

Sep 19, 2026

Upload by Xiajie