Is It Possible to View the I-983 Training Plan?

The Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT, is the centerpiece of the STEM Optional Practical Training program. It documents the objectives, training activities, supervision, and evaluation methods designed to ensure that the student gains meaningful, structured learning during the STEM OPT period. A fundamental question for students, employers, and Designated School Officials (DSOs) is whether the I-983 can be viewed by different parties and, if so, how to access it securely. In practice, access to the I-983 is governed by privacy, FERPA considerations, and school-specific policies. While the document is created collaboratively by the student and the employer with DSO oversight, sharing it outside the authorized circle requires explicit permission and a secure channel. This section outlines who can view the I-983, the typical access points, and the practical steps to obtain a copy when needed.

What Can Be Viewed and by Whom

Form I-983 is a formal record tied to a student’s STEM OPT experience. In most institutions, the primary viewers are the student, the DSO at the home school, and designated school staff who are directly involved in approving or auditing the training plan. Employers that participate in a STEM OPT arrangement generally do not have automatic or universal access to the I-983 through the SEVP Portal. Instead, they may receive copies or view the document through a school-secured portal, or the DSO may share the approved I-983 with the employer on a need-to-know basis. The privacy framework is intended to protect personal information and to ensure that any access aligns with the student’s training needs and the school’s compliance requirements. If a student or employer needs to view the I-983, they should start by confirming who at the school or organization is authorized to share the document and through which system.

Who Is Authorized to View It in Practice

In practice, typical authorized viewers include the student, the DSO, and select school administrators who handle SEVIS records or STEM OPT compliance. Some schools maintain a secure, role-based portal where the I-983 is stored and can be accessed by the student and by the employer once the school has granted permission for a specific training arrangement. Students should assume that direct, unconditional access by third parties (for example, general HR staff or unrelated supervisors) is unlikely without prior coordination with the DSO. The best approach is to request a copy from the DSO and, if needed, provide written authorization that designates who may view the document and for what purpose. Clear written requests help prevent data exposure and ensure alignment with school privacy policies.

Legal Considerations and Privacy Rights

Privacy rights and FERPA protections influence who can view I-983 forms. The document contains personal information about the student, including training goals, supervisors, and performance plans. As such, DSOs should verify that sharing is appropriate, documented, and limited to individuals directly involved in the student’s STEM OPT oversight. When in doubt, organizations can adopt a practice of sharing redacted or excerpted sections that cover training goals and supervision while omitting sensitive personal identifiers. For multinational or multi-institution collaborations, it’s prudent to obtain consent and to log each access event in an audit trail. In summary, lawful viewing is about purpose limitation, minimization of data exposure, and maintaining traceable records of who accessed the I-983 and when.

Access Points and How to View the I-983 Training Plan

Viewing options for the I-983 depend on the school’s technical infrastructure and policy. Students typically interact with the plan through the SEVP portal and the school’s student information system. Employers may gain access via a school-secured portal if the school has a formal process for sharing the I-983, or they may receive a copy from the DSO after appropriate authorization. It is important to distinguish between viewing the I-983 in the SEVP portal and viewing it in institutional systems, as these pathways have different access controls, timelines, and privacy considerations. This section outlines the standard access channels, what to expect from each channel, and practical tips for ensuring that access is compliant and efficient.

Portal Architectures and Access Roles

Most schools offer two primary access channels: the SEVP Portal for student-facing information and a school-based portal for the employer and DSO workflow. The SEVP Portal is used for updating employment information and maintaining the student’s STEM OPT profile; it may not always display the full I-983 document. The school portal, on the other hand, often houses the official I-983 and related documents, with access controlled by the DSO and the program’s compliance team. Roles typically include Student, DSO, School Administrator, and Authorized Employer. When a student begins STEM OPT, the school should clearly define which roles can view or share the I-983 and under what circumstances. If you are unsure, contact the DSO for a definitive access map and any required authorization forms.

Employer Access vs. Student Access

Employer access is usually not universal and requires prior authorization from the school. Employers may be granted access to view the I-983 to ensure alignment with the training plan, but this access is often time-bound and tied to a specific student-employer arrangement. Student access is typically straightforward once the I-983 is created, with the ability to view, edit, or request changes in collaboration with the DSO. Always document who has access, the scope of access, and the duration of access. If your organization lacks a secure sharing mechanism, the safest path is to work through the DSO and use official channels to obtain a copy.

Documentation You May Need

To view or request the I-983, you may need to provide proof of identity, a written authorization, and a brief explanation of your purpose. For students, having your SEVIS number, program details, and a copy of your STEM OPT authorization handy speeds up the process. For employers, be prepared to provide the student’s consent and specify the legitimate business need for viewing the document. Schools often require a standardized request form and may require the request to originate from the student or the employer through an approved channel. Keeping a log of all requests with dates and parties helps maintain compliance and facilitates future audits.

Step-by-Step Guide to Viewing or Requesting a Copy

Whether you are a student seeking your own I-983 or an employer coordinating access, follow this practical, compliance-focused workflow designed to minimize delays and protect sensitive information. The steps assume you are working through a U.S. accredited school with an official STEM OPT program.

A Practical, Step-by-Step Checklist

1. Identify the authorized viewer role and the appropriate channel (SEVP portal, school portal, or direct DSO contact).
2. Prepare your justification: explain why you need to view or obtain a copy and specify the training goals and supervision details you need to review.
3. Submit a formal request to the DSO or the designated office, including student name, SEVIS ID, program, and the period covered by the I-983.
4. Provide any required authorization documents or consent forms if access is to be shared with an employer.
5. Request a redacted version if privacy concerns exist for other individuals mentioned in the document.
6. Record the transaction: time, date, person who accessed, and the purpose of viewing for audit purposes.
7. Review the I-983 promptly after access is granted; verify training goals, supervisor details, and evaluation milestones for accuracy.
8. If discrepancies are found, submit a formal correction request through the DSO with supporting documentation.
9. Confirm retention and disposal policies: how long the I-983 will be stored and what happens after the STEM OPT period ends.
10. Document any updates in the SEVP portal or school system and ensure that all parties receive updated copies if changes occur.

Practical tip: keep a standardized email template for I-983 access requests and include references to the program’s policy, the specific section of the form you need, and a deadline if you are working toward a compliance review. Apply a 24–48 hour response expectation window and escalate to the DSO if you do not receive confirmation within that period.

Best Practices for Security, Compliance, and Record Keeping

Security, privacy, and regulatory compliance are the backbone of any process that involves I-983 documents. This section highlights best practices for protecting sensitive information while ensuring that authorized individuals can access the I-983 when needed. Implementing these practices reduces the risk of data exposure and strengthens audit readiness. You will find practical steps, checklists, and sample policies that you can adapt to your institution or organization.

Data Protection Measures

Encrypt all I-983 documents at rest and in transit, enforce strict role-based access controls, and maintain separate credentials for students and employers. Use a centralized document repository with access logging and two-factor authentication for anyone viewing or downloading the file. Regularly review access lists and revoke permissions when a student’s STEM OPT status ends or when an employer relationship terminates. Data minimization—access only what is strictly necessary to view or verify the training plan—helps reduce exposure risk.

Audit Trails and Documentation

Maintain an immutable audit trail of who accessed the I-983, when, and for what purpose. Schedule periodic internal audits to verify that all viewings were authorized and properly documented. Use standard operating procedures (SOPs) for request handling, including escalation paths if a request is disputed or if privacy concerns arise. When changes are made to the I-983, ensure that revisions are timestamped, approved by the DSO, and communicated to all relevant parties through formal channels.

Case Studies and Real-World Scenarios

Learning from real-world contexts helps translate policy into practice. The following concise case studies illustrate common configurations and the impact of proper access controls on efficiency, compliance, and student outcomes.

Case Study A: Large Tech Firm with a Centralized Portal

A mid-to-large tech company implemented a centralized, role-based I-983 portal connected to the university’s DSO system. This consolidation reduced the average time to retrieve a copy from days to hours and improved transparency for both the student and the employer. The firm reported a 25 percent decrease in compliance-related queries within the first six months and established a standard SLA for DSO responses. Key success factors included clear access authorization matrices, periodic training for HR and line managers on privacy, and a dedicated compliance liaison to coordinate with universities.

Case Study B: Small University-Employer Partnership

A small university partnered with local employers to create a secure sharing mechanism for I-983 forms. They implemented a lightweight, auditable workflow that required the student’s written consent before an employer could view the I-983. Over a 12-month period, the partnership improved student satisfaction and reduced administrative workload by 40 percent. The lessons learned emphasized the importance of clear consent processes, timely DSO approvals, and simple yet robust access controls that fit a smaller institutional footprint.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q1: Can I view my I-983 directly in the SEVP Portal?

  A1: In many programs, the I-983 is stored in the school’s system and not directly editable in the SEVP Portal. The portal may let you view some related STEM OPT data, but for the full I-983 you typically use the school’s portal or request a copy from your DSO.

• Q2: Who can authorize my employer to view my I-983?

  A2: The DSO or an authorized school official must authorize employer access, usually through a formal process. Authorization is granted on a per-student and per-employer basis and often requires written consent.

• Q3: Is there a difference between viewing and editing the I-983?

  A3: Viewing access may be more widely permitted than editing rights. Editing typically requires DSO approval and may be restricted to certain staff or roles.

• Q4: What should I do if I notice an error on the I-983?

  A4: Report the error to the DSO immediately using a formal correction request. Provide specific details and any corroborating documentation to expedite review.

• Q5: How long are I-983 records kept?

  A5: Retention policies vary by institution but generally align with FERPA/SEVIS requirements. Your school should provide a stated retention period and disposal method.

• Q6: Can I redact sensitive information before sharing the I-983 with an employer?

  A6: Redaction is possible in some institutions, but it must be guided by policy and approved by the DSO to ensure training integrity is preserved.

• Q7: What if I change employers during STEM OPT?

  A7: A new I-983 is typically required in collaboration with the new employer, and the DSO must review and update SEVIS records accordingly.

• Q8: Are there privacy risks I should be aware of?

  A8: Yes. Treat I-983 materials as restricted documents. Only share with authorized personnel through approved channels and avoid emailing copies unsecured.

• Q9: How can I speed up a viewing request?

  A9: Ensure you provide all required identifiers, a clear justification, and any approved consent forms. Initiating the request through the designated portal and following the SOP can shorten processing times.

• Q10: What evidence should I keep after accessing the I-983?

  A10: Maintain a brief access log (date, viewer, purpose, outcome) and save any communications or approvals linking to the access event for audits.

• Q11: If access is denied, what next?

  A11: Consult with the DSO to understand the policy basis for denial and request an alternative route to obtain the necessary information while preserving privacy and compliance.