Overview of STEM OPT Training Plan (I-983) and Its Role in Compliance

The STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension is a critical opportunity for eligible international students to gain meaningful work experience in their field of study. Central to STEM OPT is the Form I-983 Training Plan, which formalizes the employer–student relationship, aligns work with the student’s academic goals, and establishes a framework for ongoing supervision and evaluation. This section explains what the I-983 is, who completes it, and why it matters for compliance and career development.

Key purpose and scope: The I-983 documents a structured training plan that maps student duties to specific learning objectives, assigns qualified supervision, and delineates measurable outcomes. It establishes a clear, auditable record that both the student and employer can reference throughout the 24-month STEM OPT period. Without a complete and accurate I-983, SEVP may delay or deny STEM OPT approval, and employers could incur compliance risks.

Who completes and signs: The student and a designated supervisor (or an experienced evaluator) collaborate to draft the plan. The employer must attest to providing appropriate training and supervision, while the student commits to engaging in the plan with honesty and diligence. The Designated School Official (DSO) at the student’s school must review and endorse the form prior to its submission to SEVP. Post-approval, any material changes to training or supervision require amendments and re-certification with the DSO.

What to include and how it’s used: A well-crafted I-983 features clear sections for goals, training plan, supervision, work hours, and performance metrics. It serves as a living document: the student and supervisor should revisit it at defined intervals, adjust goals as needed, and document progress. The evaluation section ensures accountability at predefined milestones, typically at the 6- and 12-month marks, and as required by the employer’s policy and SEVP guidance.

Practical implications and expectations: Employers should align the training plan with the student’s degree program, ensure tasks are related to the field of study, and incorporate opportunities for practical skill development, mentoring, and professional growth. Students should use the plan to request meaningful assignments, track learning outcomes, and prepare for performance reviews. Errors in the form—such as missing signatures, vague objectives, or misalignment with the field—can delay processing and undermine the program’s value.

Data-driven context and real-world impact: STEM OPT has spurred broad access to practical training for tens of thousands of students nationwide. A robust I-983 improves clarity around responsibilities, supports compliance audits, and creates a structured path from student learning to professional contribution. For employers, a rigorous plan reduces turnover risk by fostering faster ramp-up, better performance visibility, and stronger alignment with organizational goals.

Step-by-Step Guide to Filling Out Form I-983 for STEM OPT

Filling out Form I-983 is a collaborative process. The steps below provide a practical, repeatable workflow that minimizes delays and maximizes compliance quality. Use this guide as a checklist to ensure every required field is accurate and complete before submission to the DSO.

Step 1: Gather foundational information

• Student details: full legal name, SEVIS ID, degree program, major, and expected graduation date.
• Employer details: legal business name, E-Verify status (if applicable), employer address, and site location(s).
• Supervisor details: full name, title, contact information, and relationship to student.

Step 2: Complete Part 1 (Student Information) accurately

• Confirm demographics, contact methods, and current SEVIS status. Any pending changes should be documented and explained to the DSO.
• List the degree level (e.g., BS, MS, PhD) and field of study that directly relate to the training plan.

Step 3: Complete Part 2 (Employer Information) with precision

• Provide a clear description of the employer’s training program, including how it connects to the student’s degree and career path.
• Document the supervisory structure, access to resources, and the supervision cadence (e.g., weekly check-ins, monthly reviews).

Step 4: Draft Part 3 (Training Plan) with SMART goals

• Specify 3–5 learning objectives that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
• Attach a 12– to 24-month timeline illustrating when each objective will be initiated, developed, and evaluated.

Step 5: Define Part 4 (Evaluation on Student Progress) and Part 5 (Certification)

• Outline how progress will be assessed (examples: code quality, project milestones, design reviews, lab experiments, or simulations).
• Detail who completes the evaluations, the cadence (commonly 6- and 12-month checkpoints), and how outcomes impact future training opportunities.

Step 6: Review, sign, and obtain DSO endorsement

• Submit the draft to the DSO for review. The DSO may request clarifications or adjustments before endorsement.
• Ensure all signatures are present, and that the document is consistent with the student’s academic program and field of study.

Step 7: Submit to SEVP and maintain copies

• After DSO endorsement, the school submits the form to SEVP. Keep copies for your records and for future reference during audits.
• Update the I-983 promptly if there are material changes in achievable goals, supervision, or work duties.

Step 8: Implement and monitor the plan in real work settings

• Assign projects and tasks that map directly to the stated learning objectives.
• Maintain a training log with weekly notes, outcomes, and feedback from supervisors.

Step 9: Conduct formal evaluations at defined milestones

• Perform the 6-month evaluation (if applicable) and the 12-month evaluation, documenting progress, challenges, and revised goals if necessary.
• Use the evaluation results to inform ongoing professional development planning and future roles within the organization.

Step 10: Ensure ongoing compliance and re-certification when needed

• Keep the plan current with changes in duties, location, or supervision. Any material change requires a formal amendment approved by the DSO.
• Plan for renewal considerations well ahead of the STEM OPT period’s end if you anticipate needing continued employment authorization.

Best Practices for Crafting Measurable Training Goals and Evaluations

SMART goals help translate abstract learning into tangible outcomes. This section provides guidance on formulating objectives that are clear, actionable, and verifiable, along with practical evaluation strategies.

SMART training goals framework:

• Specific: Define what is to be learned and the exact task (e.g., build a scalable data pipeline for real-time analytics).
• Measurable: Attach quantitative or qualitative metrics (e.g., process 1 million events per day with 99.9% uptime).
• Achievable: Set realistic targets based on available tools and supervision level.
• Relevant: Align goals with the student’s degree focus and the company’s needs.
• Time-bound: Set milestone deadlines (e.g., complete feature X by month 6, achieve Y after month 12).

Practical examples by field:

• Computer Science: Implement a modular authentication service with automated tests achieving 95% code coverage within 6 months.
• Electrical Engineering: Design a PCB prototype with tolerances within ±5% and deliver a working demo after 4 months.
• Chemical Engineering: Model a reaction process and reduce simulation time by 40% while preserving accuracy over 3 months.

Evaluation techniques that work well in practice:

• Weekly milestones and task completion logs.
• Demonstrations and code reviews with measurable feedback.
• Performance dashboards (e.g., build failures, defect rates, throughput).
• Peer feedback and supervisor assessments on collaboration and leadership growth.

Tips for supervisors:

• Schedule regular one-on-one check-ins to discuss progress and barriers.
• Provide timely feedback, including concrete examples tied to objectives.
• Document all feedback and adjust the training plan as needed without compromising the student’s learning goals.

Case Studies: Real-World Scenarios of Completed I-983 Forms

Case Study A: Software development track at a mid-sized tech company

A CS student on STEM OPT joined a software product team and worked under a senior engineer. The I-983 included objectives to implement a modular microservices feature, establish unit tests with 90% coverage, and deliver a production-ready API. At 6 months, the student had delivered 3 major features, reduced deployment time by 20%, and achieved 92% test coverage. The 12-month evaluation demonstrated sustained growth, with feature parity improvements and a documented contribution to team velocity. The plan’s alignment with the company’s product roadmap helped secure a renewal of the STEM OPT arrangement for a projected 24-month period.

Case Study B: Electrical engineering and hardware prototyping

An ECE student worked on hardware-in-the-loop simulations and PCB prototyping. The I-983 mapped objectives to hardware tests, validation protocols, and design optimization. The student produced a working prototype and 3 documentation packages for certification. The supervisor reported improved design iteration speed, a measurable reduction in time-to-market for a new module, and better cross-functional collaboration with the QA team. By the end of the year, the student demonstrated mastery of lab safety, measurement techniques, and documentation standards required for a regulated environment.

Case Study C: Multinational team with remote supervision

A student joined a global R&D group with distributed teams. The I-983 emphasized asynchronous collaboration, data governance, and cross-cultural communication. Despite time-zone challenges, the student delivered a cloud-based analytics tool used by multiple sites. The evaluation documented increased independence, improved code quality across a distributed team, and stronger documentation practices. The plan’s flexibility allowed the student to gain exposure to international project management while maintaining rigorous supervision standards.

Compliance, Documentation, and Employer Responsibilities

Compliance is the backbone of a successful STEM OPT experience. Employers bear responsibility for implementing the training plan, maintaining documentation, and ensuring ongoing supervision. This section outlines practical steps to stay compliant and organized.

Key responsibilities and best practices:

• Ensure the I-983 aligns with the student’s degree program and field of study, and that the tasks are directly related to that field.
• Maintain a detailed training log and activity records, including dates, task descriptions, and supervisor feedback.
• Schedule regular supervisor checks and official evaluations at required milestones (commonly at 6 and 12 months).
• Document material changes promptly and secure DSO authorization before implementing changes.
• Retain all training materials, logs, and related records for at least five years after the STEM OPT period ends.
• Coordinate with the DSO to ensure timely endorsement and submission of amendments when necessary.

Practical tips for readiness and audits:

• Create a standardized template for all I-983s to reduce errors and ensure consistency across departments.
• Assign a compliance owner (often HR or a dedicated TEFL/visa administrator) to oversee documentation and deadlines.
• Keep digital copies in a centralized, access-controlled repository with version history.
• Prepare a short quarterly report summarizing progress, challenges, and outcomes for DSOs and supervisors.

Frequently Asked Questions (9)

Q1: What is the I-983, and why is it required for STEM OPT?

The I-983 is a formal Training Plan that documents the student’s learning goals, the employer’s supervision, and the evaluation framework for the STEM OPT period. It is required to ensure that the program provides meaningful training that aligns with the student’s degree and complies with SEVP regulations. Both the student and the employer sign the form, and the DSO must review and endorse it before submission to SEVP.

Q2: Who must sign the I-983, and who should review it?

The student and the employer (supervisor or designated trainer) sign the I-983. The Designated School Official (DSO) at the student’s school must review and endorse the form before it is submitted to SEVP. If material changes occur during the STEM OPT period, a new endorsement may be required after DSOs review updated information.

Q3: How often should evaluations occur during STEM OPT?

Most programs include evaluations at defined milestones, commonly around the 6-month and 12-month marks. The exact cadence may vary based on the employer’s policy and SEVP guidance. These evaluations assess progress toward learning objectives and adjust the plan as needed to maximize learning and compliance.

Q4: What constitutes a good training objective?

A good objective is SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. It should tie directly to the student’s degree field, specify concrete tasks or outcomes (e.g., develop a feature, reduce a metric, complete a certification), and include a clear deadline and evaluation method.

Q5: Can the I-983 be changed after submission?

Yes. Material changes to the training plan, supervision, location, or job duties require amendments and must be reviewed and endorsed by the DSO. It is essential to document the rationale for changes and communicate them promptly to all parties involved.

Q6: What happens if the plan is not completed accurately?

Inaccuracies or missing information can delay STEM OPT approval or lead to noncompliance concerns. It is critical to verify all fields, obtain signatures, and ensure alignment with the student’s degree program and the employer’s training capabilities before submission.

Q7: How should a company prepare for STEM OPT audits?

Maintain a centralized repository of I-983s, training logs, evaluation forms, and correspondence with the DSO. Implement standardized templates, assign a compliance owner, and conduct periodic internal reviews to verify that all records are complete, current, and consistent with guidance.

Q8: Can STEM OPT training occur remotely or across multiple sites?

Yes, but the plan must clearly describe remote roles, supervision arrangements, and site-specific training activities. The I-983 should specify how supervision will be maintained (e.g., video meetings, code reviews, shared documentation) and how performance will be evaluated across locations.

Q9: What if the student changes employers during STEM OPT?

A new I-983 must be completed by the new employer with updated training goals and supervision details. The DSO must review and endorse the new plan, and the student should ensure that the transition minimizes gaps in training and work authorization. It is essential to coordinate timelines to maintain continuous employment authorization.