Can a STEM OPT student sign the Form I-983 as their own employer?

No. The employer official who signs Section 4 and 6 must be a different person than the student, representing a bona fide employer-employee relationship.

Does my employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify to sponsor my STEM OPT?

Yes — this is non-negotiable. Every STEM OPT employer must be enrolled in and actively using E-Verify, and must remain a participant in good standing for the duration of your extension. If your employer isn't enrolled, your DSO cannot recommend the STEM OPT extension, regardless of how strong the rest of your I-983 is.

What happens if I miss the 12-month or final self-evaluation deadline?

Both evaluations are due no later than 10 days after the end of the applicable reporting period, and neither is optional — they're required regardless of how the internship is going. Missing a deadline is treated as a violation of your Training Plan and can jeopardize your F-1 status, so submit as soon as possible and loop in your DSO immediately if you're going to be late.

Do I need a new Form I-983 if I change employers during STEM OPT?

Yes. A new employer means a completely new Form I-983 with that employer — the previous employer's I-983 doesn't transfer over. You'll need to submit the new form to your DSO within 10 days of starting the new position, alongside an updated employer record in the SEVP portal.

Can the Employer Official in Section 4 be a different person from my day-to-day supervisor in Section 5?

Yes, this is allowed. Section 4's Employer Official just needs to be someone genuinely familiar with your training goals and performance — it doesn't have to be the same person named as your supervisor in Section 5, though in practice the two roles should make sense together.

Is a typed name accepted as a valid signature on the I-983?

Generally no. Schools typically require either a hand-signed and scanned signature, or an electronic signature generated through accepted e-signature software (like DocuSign or Adobe Sign) — simply typing a name into a text field is usually not treated as a valid signature.

How often do I need to confirm my employment status with my DSO during STEM OPT?

Separately from the I-983's 12-month and final evaluations, many schools require STEM OPT students to validate their employment status roughly every 6 months, either through the school's own reporting form or the SEVP portal. Check with your DSO for your school's exact process and deadlines.

What counts as a "material change" I have to report right away?

Anything like an employer EIN change (e.g., from a merger or restructuring), a reduction in your hours below 20 per week, or a compensation decrease unrelated to reduced hours. These should be reported to your DSO as soon as they happen — not saved for your next scheduled evaluation — and may require submitting an amended Form I-983.

STEM OPT Extension · Form I-983

How to fill out the I-983 Training Plan

A section-by-section walkthrough of the STEM OPT Training Plan, with who fills each part, common mistakes, and field-by-field guidance.

Section 1 Section 2 Section 4 Section 5 Section 6 After filing

Student Information

Student fills this

Common mistakes

• Using a nickname instead of the legal name shown on your I-20 and passport.
• Leaving the SEVIS ID number blank or mistyping the N-prefix number.

Student's Legal Name

Enter your name exactly as it appears on your Form I-20.

Example: Zhang, Wei

SEVIS ID Number

Found on page 1 of your I-20, starts with N followed by 10 digits.

Example: N0012345678

Student Certification

Student fills this

Common mistakes

• Signing before Section 1 is fully completed — USCIS/DSO systems flag out-of-order signatures.
• Using a typed signature when the school requires a hand-signed or certified digital signature.
• Dating the certification with the I-20 issue date instead of the date you actually signed.

Certification Statement

By signing, you confirm the information in Section 1 is true and that you understand the STEM OPT reporting obligations (validation reports, material change reporting, evaluations). Read it before signing — this isn't a formality your DSO can waive.

Example: "I certify that the information I have provided in Section 1 is true and correct..."

Student Signature

Accepted forms: a physical wet signature (scanned), or an electronic signature produced through signing software. A typed name in a text box is generally not accepted as a valid signature.

Example: Hand-signed and scanned as PDF, or signed via DocuSign/Adobe Sign

Date Signed

Use the actual date you sign this section — not your I-20 issue date or your OPT start date.

Example: 06/12/2026

Employer Official

Employer fills this

Common mistakes

• Listing an HR generalist or immigration attorney who has no direct knowledge of the student's actual work — SEVP guidance expects someone familiar with the student's goals and performance.
• Assuming this must be the same person listed as the supervisor in Section 5 — it's allowed to be a different person, but the roles should make sense together.
• Leaving the official's title generic ("Manager") when a more specific title helps the DSO/USCIS understand signing authority.

Employer Official's Name

The individual who is familiar with, and will help monitor, the student's training goals and performance. This may or may not be the same person as the Section 5/6 signer.

Example: Sarah Chen

Employer Official's Title

Use a specific job title that reflects real oversight of the student's role, not just a generic HR title.

Example: Engineering Manager

Employer Official's Contact Information

A direct phone number and email — DSOs sometimes reach out to verify training plan details, so avoid a shared inbox.

Example: s.chen@company.com · (415) 555-0182

Training Plan for STEM OPT Students

Student & employer

Common mistakes

• Writing training goals in vague corporate language ("contribute to team success") instead of specific, measurable objectives tied to the STEM degree.
• Forgetting to explicitly connect the training opportunity to the student's specific STEM degree — USCIS wants the 'why this relates to your degree' link spelled out, not implied.
• Listing a third-party client site as the work location without addressing on-site supervision — this is a common RFE trigger if the actual day-to-day supervisor works for a different company.
• Omitting the commensurate-terms attestation when the employer has fewer than a certain number of similarly situated U.S. workers.

Not legal advice

The wording you use here (goals, supervision, commensurate terms) is reviewed by USCIS. This guide explains what each field is asking for, but it is not legal advice — have your DSO review the language before submission.

Work Site Address

The exact physical address where the training takes place. If this differs from the employer's main address (e.g., a client site or remote location), list it explicitly.

Example: 500 Market St, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94105

Supervisor Name & Contact

Per SEVP guidance, this person is recorded as the student's supervisor in SEVIS. Should be someone who directly oversees day-to-day work.

Example: David Kim, Senior Engineering Manager, d.kim@company.com

Goals and Objectives

Describe specific, concrete learning goals — what skills, knowledge, or techniques the student will gain — not just job duties. Use a three-part structure: (1) what the student will do, (2) how it builds on their STEM degree, (3) how progress will be measured.

Example: "Student will design and implement distributed data pipelines, applying statistical modeling techniques from their M.S. in Data Science coursework, evaluated via quarterly project milestones and code review feedback."

Methods of Oversight and Supervision

Describe how the employer will supervise and evaluate the student — regular 1:1s, project check-ins, formal review cycles, etc.

Example: Weekly 1:1 meetings with direct supervisor; quarterly formal performance reviews.

Commensurate Terms Attestation

If the employer does not currently employ (or hasn't recently employed) more than a small number of similarly situated U.S. workers, this section must affirm the student's compensation and conditions are commensurate with similarly situated U.S. workers in the same role/location.

Example: "The compensation and conditions offered are commensurate with those of similarly situated U.S. workers in this role and location."

Employer Official Certification

Employer fills this

Common mistakes

• Signing without confirming the signer has actual signatory authority for the employer entity.
• Not understanding the 5-business-day reporting obligation for student termination/departure before signing — this is a binding commitment, not boilerplate.
• Using a personal or department email in the certification contact when a general compliance-facing contact would be clearer for future DSO follow-up.

Not legal advice

Signing this section creates binding reporting obligations for the employer (e.g., the 5-business-day termination-reporting rule). This guide explains the requirement, but the employer's signing official should independently confirm their obligations — this is not legal advice.

Certification Statement

The signing official certifies the employer has reviewed and will follow the Training Plan, has sufficient resources to provide the training, will not use the position to displace a U.S. worker, and will report material changes and student termination/departure within 5 business days.

Example: "I certify on behalf of the employer that this Training Plan is approved and that I have reviewed and understand this Plan..."

Employer Official Signature

Must be signed by someone with actual authority to bind the employer to these commitments — same signature format rules as Section 2 (wet signature or accepted e-signature).

Example: Hand-signed and scanned, or signed via approved e-signature software

Date Signed

The date the employer official actually signs — should be on or before the STEM OPT start date requested on the form.

Example: 06/15/2026

Once both parties have signed, the training plan isn't the end of the story — here's what comes next.

After You File: Evaluations & Reporting

Student & employer

Common mistakes

• Treating the 12-month evaluation as optional if the internship is going well — it's required regardless of performance.
• Submitting the 12-month self-evaluation late because the student assumed the employer would initiate it — this is the student's responsibility to submit.
• Forgetting to report a material change (EIN change from a corporate restructuring, reduction in hours below 20/week, non-hours-related compensation decrease) at the time it happens, instead of waiting for the next scheduled evaluation.
• Not realizing a change of employer requires a new Form I-983 from the new employer — the old one doesn't carry over.

Not legal advice

This section summarizes ongoing STEM OPT reporting obligations. Deadlines and requirements can change — always confirm current requirements with your DSO and the USCIS/Study in the States website before relying on dates listed here.

12-Month Self-Evaluation

The student must submit a self-evaluation of training progress within 12 months of the STEM OPT start date, reviewed and signed by the employer before returning it to the DSO.

Example: STEM OPT start: 07/01/2026 → 12-month evaluation due by 07/01/2027 (submit within 10 days after the reporting period ends per current guidance)

Final Evaluation

A second, final evaluation recapping the full training period, submitted at the end of the STEM OPT extension (or within 10 days if the opportunity ends early).

Example: Due at the conclusion of the 24-month STEM OPT period, or within 10 days of an early end date

6-Month Validation Reporting

Separate from the I-983 evaluations — many schools require STEM OPT students to confirm their employment status every 6 months through the school's own reporting form or SEVP portal.

Example: Check with your DSO for your school's specific validation reporting process and deadline

Reporting a Material Change

Report to the DSO as soon as possible — not at the next scheduled evaluation — for: employer EIN changes (e.g., due to a merger/restructuring), reduction in hours below 20/week, or a compensation decrease unrelated to a reduction in hours.

Example: Employer restructures and issues a new EIN → notify DSO immediately, may require an amended Form I-983

Changing Employers

A new employer means a new Form I-983 must be completed with that employer — the previous employer's I-983 does not transfer. Update your employer information in the SEVP portal at the same time.

Example: Student leaves Employer A for Employer B → new I-983 required with Employer B before starting

Frequently asked questions

What to do next

Offer letter generator

Generate the employer letter you'll need alongside your I-983.

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Decision date predictor

Estimate when your STEM OPT extension might get approved.

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Who fills out Form I-983?

Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students, is not a normal resume form or a generic job offer letter. It is a training plan that connects your STEM OPT job to your degree field and documents how the employer will provide training, supervision, and evaluation. The student, employer, and school each play a role, so the safest way to approach the form is to treat it as a shared record rather than something to rush through alone.

The student typically prepares personal, school, degree, and employment details. The employer provides employer information, training site details, compensation, hours, supervisor information, and the training plan content. The DSO reviews the form in the context of the STEM OPT recommendation and school procedures. Your school may have formatting preferences or extra review steps, so always follow your DSO's instructions.

Student-owned sections

The student should make sure identifying details, school information, degree information, SEVIS-related fields, employment start timing, and signatures are accurate and consistent with school records.

Employer-owned sections

The employer should describe the training opportunity, compensation, hours, worksite, supervision, and evaluation process in a way that matches the real job and can be supported if questions arise.

Common I-983 mistakes

The most common mistakes are not always dramatic. They are often small inconsistencies: an employer name that differs from payroll records, a worksite that does not match the actual work arrangement, a start date that conflicts with the offer letter, a training description that is too generic, or a supervisor name that changes without updating school records. These details matter because the I-983 is supposed to describe a real training relationship.

Another common mistake is copying generic language that could describe any software, data, engineering, finance, or lab role. A strong training plan explains what the student will learn, how the work connects to the STEM degree, how progress will be supervised, and how performance will be evaluated. The language should be specific enough to be meaningful but accurate enough that the employer can stand behind it.

How the I-983 relates to STEM OPT employment

The I-983 is closely tied to your STEM OPT employment record. Changes to employer, worksite, compensation, hours, training objectives, or supervision may require school review or an updated form depending on the situation. That is why you should keep a copy of the signed form, track changes in your role, and communicate with your DSO before assuming a change is minor.

The form also connects to unemployment tracking. If a STEM OPT job ends, the gap may affect your combined unemployment days. If a new STEM employer starts, you may need a new or updated training plan before the school can properly update the record. Use the I-983 guide together with your unemployment tracker and employment documents so your records tell one consistent story.

Confirm your final version with your DSO

This guide is an educational walkthrough, not legal advice and not a substitute for school review. Schools can have different submission workflows, signature preferences, internal review timelines, and correction procedures. Before submitting a STEM OPT request, changing employers, or relying on an updated training plan, confirm the final version with your DSO.

Related STEM OPT tools

After reviewing the I-983, track unemployment days and prepare an employment verification letter that stays consistent with your school and employer records.

Track STEM OPT unemployment days Generate an employment letter Read STEM unemployment examples