Is Form I-983 filed with USCIS?

No. Form I-983 is a training agreement between you and your employer. You submit the signed form to your DSO, who updates SEVIS and issues a new I-20. The I-983 itself is not sent to USCIS, but USCIS may request it during an application review or site visit.

Can I work for any employer on STEM OPT?

No. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and must agree to the I-983 training plan requirements. Self-employment, staffing agencies, and employers who will not sign the I-983 are not eligible. The employment must also be directly related to your STEM degree.

What happens if my employer refuses to sign the I-983?

You cannot use that employer for STEM OPT. The I-983 is mandatory, and both the student and the employer must sign it. If your employer will not cooperate, you must find a different employer who will complete the training plan with you.

How often must my employer evaluate me?

The I-983 requires at least two formal evaluations — one at the midpoint of the training period and one at the end. Your employer may conduct additional evaluations, but two are the minimum. The evaluations must be documented and retained in your training plan file.

Can I change employers during STEM OPT?

Yes, but each new employer requires a new I-983 training plan. You must submit the new plan to your DSO before starting work with the new employer. You also have a 150-day unemployment limit across your entire STEM OPT period, including time between jobs.

US Immigration Form

Form I-983 — Training Plan for STEM OPT Students

Form I-983 is the training plan that every STEM OPT extension applicant must complete with their employer. Unlike Form I-765, which is filed with USCIS, the I-983 is a bilateral agreement between you and your employer that documents how your practical training relates to your STEM degree. The form is signed by both you and your employer and is maintained in your school's records, not sent to USCIS.

The I-983 was introduced to ensure that STEM OPT employment is genuinely educational and not just a work permit. The form requires your employer to describe specific learning objectives, training methods, and supervision structures. It also requires the employer to commit to regular evaluations of your progress. These requirements are stricter than standard post-completion OPT and reflect the extended 24-month period that STEM OPT provides.

This guide explains what Form I-983 is, who needs to complete it, what the form requires, and how it fits into the STEM OPT extension process.

Who files this form

Form I-983 is completed by F-1 students who have been approved for post-completion OPT, hold a degree in a STEM field from a SEVP-certified institution, and are seeking a 24-month STEM OPT extension. The student and the employer must complete the form together. The student then submits the signed form to their Designated School Official, who creates a new I-20 with the STEM OPT recommendation.

The employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and must agree to the training plan's requirements, including the learning objectives, supervision structure, and evaluation schedule. The employer must also report any material changes to the training plan — such as a change in supervisor, a significant shift in duties, or termination of employment — to the student's DSO within five business days.

What this form is for

The purpose of Form I-983 is to document that your STEM OPT employment is a structured training experience that is directly related to your STEM degree. USCIS and SEVP use the form to verify that STEM OPT is being used for its intended purpose — practical training that enhances the student's academic knowledge — rather than as a generic work authorization.

The form creates accountability for both the student and the employer. The student must commit to the learning objectives and attend scheduled evaluations. The employer must provide supervision, training, and feedback, and must report material changes to the school. If the training plan is not followed, the DSO can terminate the student's STEM OPT recommendation, which invalidates the underlying I-765 and EAD.

Key sections

Section 1 — Student information: name, SEVIS ID, degree level, and CIP code
Section 2 — Employer information: name, address, E-Verify number, and number of employees
Section 3 — Training plan: specific learning objectives tied to the STEM degree
Section 4 — Employer oversight: name and qualifications of the supervisory official
Section 5 — Training methods: how the employer will provide the training and measure progress
Section 6 — Evaluations: schedule and criteria for formal performance assessments

Common mistakes

Writing generic learning objectives that do not clearly connect to the STEM degree field
Failing to list the employer's E-Verify number or using an employer that is not enrolled in E-Verify
Not understanding that the employer must report material changes to the DSO within five business days
Omitting the employer's commitment to regular evaluations with specific criteria
Assuming that self-employment or working for a staffing agency satisfies the I-983 requirements — it generally does not
Not keeping a copy of the signed I-983 for your own records

Official sources

Always verify the current form edition, fee, and instructions on the government site before filing. This guide is educational and not a substitute for your DSO or a licensed attorney.

Procedural deep-dives

For filing strategy, timing, and evidence standards, use these legal owners.

US student visas hub
F-1, CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT procedural guides that use these forms.
OPT & STEM OPT complete guide
How I-765 and I-983 fit the post-completion work path.
I-765 OPT common mistakes
Category codes, timing, and evidence that trigger rejections.
F-1 document checklist 2026
Evidence pack around I-20, DS-160, and the consular interview.
STEM OPT self-employment and startup
When Form I-983 and E-Verify rules constrain founder roles.
SEVIS termination and reinstatement
What happens when status records break after form mistakes.

Related guides

I-983 training plan template

STEM OPT extension checklist

Frequently asked questions

Is Form I-983 filed with USCIS?: No. Form I-983 is a training agreement between you and your employer. You submit the signed form to your DSO, who updates SEVIS and issues a new I-20. The I-983 itself is not sent to USCIS, but USCIS may request it during an application review or site visit.
Can I work for any employer on STEM OPT?: No. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and must agree to the I-983 training plan requirements. Self-employment, staffing agencies, and employers who will not sign the I-983 are not eligible. The employment must also be directly related to your STEM degree.
What happens if my employer refuses to sign the I-983?: You cannot use that employer for STEM OPT. The I-983 is mandatory, and both the student and the employer must sign it. If your employer will not cooperate, you must find a different employer who will complete the training plan with you.
How often must my employer evaluate me?: The I-983 requires at least two formal evaluations — one at the midpoint of the training period and one at the end. Your employer may conduct additional evaluations, but two are the minimum. The evaluations must be documented and retained in your training plan file.
Can I change employers during STEM OPT?: Yes, but each new employer requires a new I-983 training plan. You must submit the new plan to your DSO before starting work with the new employer. You also have a 150-day unemployment limit across your entire STEM OPT period, including time between jobs.

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