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Tips for completing the I-983

These tips are for Boise State students who are completing the I-983 form as part of the STEM OPT requirements. They are not for employees working on STEM OPT for Boise State University. If you are working for Boise State University, please consult our I-983 guidelines for Boise State employees for additional information.

Students on STEM OPT and their employers must complete and follow a formal training plan, called the Form I-983. The plan must outline the student’s learning objects and affirm the employer’s commitment to helping the student achieve those objectives.

STEM OPT students and their employers are subject to the terms and conditions of the 24-month STEM OPT extension regulations. These are effective as of the STEM OPT employment start date requested on the Form I-983.

There are also step by step guidelines on the Study in the States STEM OPT Hub. The STEM OPT Hub includes a helpful tutorial on completing the form and what is expected in each box.

 

Tips on completing the I-983 form (non-Boise State employers)

Take care to avoid some common errors:

  1. Check your name is in the correct format, and double-check spelling, data/date accuracy.
  2. The start date of employment on the I-983 is the start date of your employment on STEM OPT. This is the most common error we see on the I-983. It is not your original start date with your employer if you worked with them during your post-completion OPT. For example if you started working with your employer on June 1, 2024 while on post-completion OPT, but your STEM OPT period will start on August 1, 2025, then your start date on the I-983 should be August 1, 2025.
  3. Your proposed training plan must relate to your STEM degree. Be sure to explain how it relates to your specific degree field of study (ex. Computer Science). Avoid generic comments about your “STEM degree”.
  4. Your “Goals and Objectives” section should be clear, specific, and future-oriented. The tasks you will undertake to meet those goals should also be clear and specific.
  5. Don’t wait until the last minute! Completing the I-983 training plan takes time. It also takes time (7-10 business days) for ISS to review your plan. Edits are often needed before your STEM OPT I-20 can be made. You will need the STEM OPT I-20 before you can submit your application to USCIS. You can complete and submit the I-983 training plan in the 90-day window before your OPT period ends.
  6. You do not submit the I-983 training plan to USCIS as part of your STEM OPT application. However SEVP can request to review a copy of it at any time.

Students and employers may physically sign the Form I-983 or input their own electronic signature. You can use one of two types of electronic signatures:

– Electronic signatures produced with software programs or applications.

– Electronically reproduced copies of a signature. A digitally reproduced copy may be a scanned image of a physical signature.

Once complete, you can upload your I-983 form into the STEM OPT I-20 Request form

Disclaimer

The information contained in this web site is provided as a service to the international students, faculty, staff, employees and administrators of Boise State University, and does not constitute legal advice, including legal advice regarding any immigration, tax or other matter. We make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this web site or any associated site which is provided for general information purposes only. As legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case, and laws are constantly changing, nothing provided herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent counsel. Neither Boise State University nor the Center for Global Engagement is responsible for any errors or omissions contained in this website, or for the results obtained from the use of this information.