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The ICE I-983 form, formally known as the "Training Plan for STEM OPT Students," plays a crucial role in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension process for international students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This form serves as a structured plan outlining the training and employment objectives for students who wish to extend their work authorization in the United States. The I-983 requires students to collaborate closely with their employers to detail how the proposed training aligns with their academic background and career goals. Key components of the form include the identification of the employer, a description of the training program, and the methods of evaluation to ensure that the training is beneficial and relevant. Additionally, the form emphasizes the importance of mentorship and oversight, requiring employers to commit to providing adequate support throughout the training period. By submitting the I-983, students not only demonstrate their commitment to professional development but also comply with the regulatory requirements set forth by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Understanding the intricacies of the I-983 form is essential for both students and employers, as it lays the groundwork for a successful STEM OPT experience.

Key takeaways

When filling out and using the ICE I-983 form, it is essential to keep several key points in mind to ensure compliance and clarity. Here are the takeaways:

  1. Understand the Purpose: The I-983 form is designed to outline the training plan for STEM OPT students. It ensures that the training experience is directly related to the student’s field of study.
  2. Provide Detailed Information: Fill out each section with specific details about the training opportunity, including the employer’s information and the nature of the training activities.
  3. Collaboration is Key: Work closely with your employer and designated school official (DSO) to ensure that the training plan meets all requirements and expectations.
  4. Regular Updates: If there are any changes to your training plan, it is crucial to update the I-983 form and submit the revised version to your DSO.
  5. Compliance Monitoring: Be aware that the employer must monitor the training experience and report any issues to the DSO, ensuring that the training remains compliant with regulations.
  6. Submit on Time: Ensure that the I-983 form is submitted in a timely manner, as delays can affect your eligibility for STEM OPT.

By keeping these points in mind, you can navigate the I-983 form process more effectively and ensure a successful training experience.

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Documents used along the form

The ICE I-983 form is essential for students on STEM OPT. However, several other forms and documents are often used alongside it. Each of these documents plays a role in ensuring compliance with immigration regulations and supporting the student's training experience. Below is a list of commonly associated forms and documents.

  • Form I-20: This document is issued by the educational institution and confirms the student's enrollment and eligibility for the OPT program.
  • Form I-765: This is the application for employment authorization. Students must submit this form to apply for their OPT work permit.
  • Form I-94: This form records the student's arrival and departure in the U.S. It is crucial for verifying legal status.
  • Employer's Offer Letter: A letter from the employer detailing the job offer, including job title, responsibilities, and start date, is often required.
  • Training Plan: This document outlines the training objectives and how the job relates to the student's field of study.
  • Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form: For accurate documentation during the sale, refer to our detailed Motorcycle Bill of Sale requirements to ensure all legal aspects are covered.
  • Evaluation Forms: These forms are used to assess the student's progress and must be completed at designated intervals during the training period.
  • Proof of Employment: Documentation such as pay stubs or a letter from the employer confirming employment may be needed for compliance purposes.
  • Personal Statement: A statement explaining the student's goals and how the training experience aligns with their career aspirations can be beneficial.

These documents work together to support the student's application and training experience. It's important to keep them organized and accessible throughout the process.

Dos and Don'ts

When filling out the ICE I-983 form, it's important to follow certain guidelines to ensure accuracy and compliance. Here are seven things to keep in mind:

  • Do read the instructions carefully before starting. Understanding the requirements can save you time and frustration.
  • Don't rush through the form. Take your time to provide complete and accurate information.
  • Do double-check your entries for any errors or omissions. Mistakes can lead to delays in processing.
  • Don't leave any sections blank unless specifically instructed. Every part of the form is important.
  • Do provide clear and concise answers. Avoid unnecessary jargon or overly complex language.
  • Don't forget to sign and date the form. An unsigned form may be considered incomplete.
  • Do keep a copy of the completed form for your records. This can be helpful for future reference.

Common mistakes

Completing the ICE I-983 form can be a daunting task for many individuals. This form is essential for students in the STEM OPT extension process, and mistakes can lead to significant delays or even denials. One common error occurs when applicants fail to provide accurate information about their employer. It is crucial to ensure that the employer’s name, address, and other relevant details are correct. A simple typo can create confusion and may jeopardize the application.

Another frequent mistake involves not clearly defining the training plan. Applicants often overlook the importance of detailing specific goals and objectives. The training plan should outline what the student aims to learn during their employment. Vague descriptions can lead to questions from immigration officials, resulting in unnecessary complications.

Many individuals also neglect to include the necessary signatures. The I-983 form requires signatures from both the student and the employer. Failing to obtain these signatures can render the application incomplete. It is essential to review the form thoroughly to ensure that all required parties have signed before submission.

Additionally, some applicants make the mistake of not updating their I-983 form when there are changes in their training situation. If there are modifications to the training plan, such as changes in job responsibilities or employer details, these must be reflected in the form. Not doing so can lead to compliance issues with immigration regulations.

Another common oversight is underestimating the importance of the evaluation sections. The I-983 form includes sections for both mid-term and final evaluations. Many students either skip these sections or provide insufficient information. These evaluations are crucial for demonstrating progress and compliance with the training plan.

Some individuals also fail to provide sufficient detail about how the training relates to their degree. The form requires an explanation of how the practical training will enhance the student’s educational experience. Without a clear connection, the application may not meet the necessary criteria for approval.

Moreover, applicants sometimes ignore the need for a well-structured timeline. The I-983 form should include a timeline that outlines when various training objectives will be met. A lack of a clear timeline can raise concerns about the seriousness of the training plan.

Lastly, many students do not seek assistance when filling out the form. It is advisable to consult with an academic advisor or a legal expert familiar with the process. Seeking guidance can help avoid common pitfalls and ensure that the form is completed accurately and comprehensively.

File Characteristics

Fact Name Description
Purpose The ICE I-983 form is used for students on STEM OPT to outline their training plans with their employers.
Eligibility Only students who have completed a degree in a STEM field and are currently on OPT can use this form.
Submission Requirement The form must be submitted to the student's Designated School Official (DSO) as part of the STEM OPT application process.
Training Plan The form requires a detailed training plan that describes the goals and objectives of the employment.
Employer Responsibilities Employers must agree to provide training and supervision as outlined in the I-983 form.
Compliance Students and employers must comply with the requirements set forth by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Updates Any changes to the training plan must be reported and a new I-983 form submitted to the DSO.

Form Sample

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

TRAINING PLAN FOR STEM OPT STUDENTS

OMB APPROVAL NO. 1653-0054 EXPIRATION DATE: 7/31/2021

Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training (OPT)

SECTION 1: STUDENT INFORMATION (Completed by Student)

Student Name (Surname/Primary Name, Given Name):

 

Student Email Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of School Recommending

 

Name of School Where STEM

 

SEVIS School Code of School Recommending STEM OPT (including 3-

STEM OPT:

 

Degree Was Earned:

 

digit suffix):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Designated School Official (DSO) Name and Contact Information:

Student SEVIS ID No.:

 

STEM OPT Requested Period (mm-dd-yyyy):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From:

 

 

 

 

 

 

To:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Qualifying Major and Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level/Type of Qualifying Degree:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date Awarded (mm-dd-yyyy):

Based on Prior Degree?

Yes

Employment Authorization Number:

No

SECTION 2: STUDENT CERTIFICATION

I declare and affirm under penalty of perjury that the statements and information made herein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief. I understand that the law provides severe penalties for knowingly and willfully falsifying or concealing a material fact, or using any false document in the submission of this form.

I certify that:

1.I have reviewed,understand,and will adhere to this Training Plan for STEM OPT Students (“Plan”);

2.I will notify the DSO at the earliest available opportunity if I believe that my employer is not providing me with appropriate training as delineated on this Plan;

3.I understand that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may deny, revoke, or terminate the STEM OPT of students whom DHS determines are not engaging in OPT in compliance with the law, including the STEM OPT of students who are not, or whose employers are not, complying with this Plan;

4.My practical training opportunity is directly related to the STEM degree that qualifies me for the STEM OPT extension; and

5.I will notify the DSO at the earliest available opportunity regarding any material changes to or deviations from this Plan, including but not limited to, any change of Employer Identification Number resulting from a corporate restructuring, any nontrivial reduction in compensation from the amount previously submitted on the Plan that is not tied to a reduction in hours worked, any significant decrease in hours per week that I engage in a STEM training opportunity, and any decrease in hours below the 20-hours-per-week minimum required under this rule.

Signature of Student (Sign in ink):

Printed Name of Student:

 

Date (mm-dd-yyyy):

ICE Form I-983 (7/16)

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SECTION 3: EMPLOYER INFORMATION (Completed by Employer)

Employer Name:

 

 

Street Address:

 

Suite:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employer Website URL:

 

 

City:

State:

 

ZIP Code:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employer ID Number (EIN):

Number of Full-Time

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code:

 

 

Employees in U.S.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPT Hours Per Week (must be at least 20

Compensation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

hours/week):

A. Salary Amount and Frequency:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B. Other Compensation (Type and Estimated Amount or Value):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Start Date of Employment (mm-dd-yyyy):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 4: EMPLOYER CERTIFICATION

I declare and affirm under penalty of perjury that the statements and information made herein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief. I understand that the law provides severe penalties for knowingly and willfully falsifying or concealing a material fact, or using any false document in the submission of this form.

I certify on behalf of the employer that this Training Plan for STEM OPT Students (“Plan”) is approved and that:

1.I have reviewed and understand this Plan, and I will ensure that the supervising Official follows this Plan;

2.I will notify the DSO at the earliest available opportunity regarding any material changes to this Plan, including but not limited to, any change of Employer Identification Number resulting from a corporate restructuring, any reduction in compensation from the amount previously submitted on the Plan that is not tied to a reduction in hours worked, any significant decrease in hours per week that a student engages in a STEM training opportunity, and any decrease in hours below the 20-hours-per-week minimum required under this rule;

3.Within five business days of the termination or departure of the student during the authorized period of OPT, I will report such termination or departure to the DSO (Note: business days do not include federal holidays or weekend days; and an employer shall consider a student to have departed when the employer knows the student has left the practical training opportunity, or when the student has not reported for practical training for a period of five consecutive business days without the consent of the employer); and

4.I will adhere to all applicable regulatory provisions that govern this program (see 8 CFR Part 214), which include, but are not limited to, the following:

a.The student’s practical training opportunity is directly related to the STEM degree that qualifies the student for the STEM OPT extension, and the position offered to the student achieves the objectives of his or her participation in this training program;

b.The student will receive on-site supervision and training, consistent with this Plan, by experienced and knowledgeable staff;

c.The employer has sufficient resources and personnel to provide the specified training program set forth in this Plan, and the employer is prepared to implement that program, including at the location(s) identified in this Plan;

d.The student on a STEM OPT extension will not replace a full- or part-time, temporary or permanent U.S. worker. The terms and conditions of the STEM practical training opportunity—including duties, hours, and compensation—are commensurate with the terms and conditions applicable to the employer’s similarly situated U.S. workers or, if the employer does not employ and has not recently employed more than two similarly situated U.S. workers in the area of employment, the terms and conditions of other similarly situated U.S. workers in the area of employment; and

e.The training conducted pursuant to this Plan complies with all applicable Federal and State requirements relating to employment.

Note: DHS may, at its discretion, conduct a site visit of the employer to ensure that program requirements are being met, including that the employer possesses and maintains the ability and resources to provide structured and guided work-based learning experiences consistent with this Plan.

Signature of Employer Official with Signatory Authority (Sign in ink):

Printed Name and Title of Employer Official with Signatory Authority:

Date (mm-dd-yyyy):

 

Printed Name of Employing Organization:

ICE Form I-983 (7/16)

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SECTION 5: TRAINING PLAN FOR STEM OPT STUDENTS (Completed by Student and Employer)

Student Name (Surname/Primary Name, Given Name):

Employer Name:

EMPLOYER SITE INFORMATION

Site Name:

Name of Official:

Official's Email:

Site Address (Street, City, State, ZIP):

Official's Title:

Official's Phone Number:

Note: for the remaining fields in this section, employers who already have an internal/pre-existing training plan in place may fill in the details based on that plan.

Student Role: Describe the student's role with the employer and how that role is directly related to enhancing the student's knowledge obtained through his or her qualifying STEM degree.

Goals and Objectives: Describe how the assignment(s) with the employer will help the student achieve his or her specific objectives for work-based learning related to his or her STEM degree. The description must both specify the student's goals regarding specific knowledge, skills, or techniques as well as the means by which they will be achieved.

Employer Oversight: Explain how the employer provides oversight and supervision of individuals filling positions such as that being filled by the named F-1 student. If the employer has a training program or related policy in place that controls such oversight and supervision, please describe.

Measures and Assessments: Explain how the employer measures and confirms whether individuals filling positions such as that being filled by the named F-1 student are acquiring new knowledge and skills. If the employer has a training program or related policy in place that controls such measures and assessments, please describe.

ICE Form I-983 (7/16)

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Additional Remarks (optional): Provide additional information pertinent to the Plan.

SECTION 6: EMPLOYER OFFICIAL CERTIFICATION

I declare and affirm under penalty of perjury that the statements and information made herein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief. I understand that the law provides severe penalties for knowingly and willfully falsifying or concealing a material fact, or using any false document in the submission of this form.

Employer Official with Signatory Authority - I certify that:

1.I have reviewed, understand, and will follow this Training Plan for STEM OPT Students (Plan);

2.I will conduct the required periodic evaluations of the student;*

3.I will adhere to all applicable regulatory provisions that govern this program (see 8 CFR Part 214.2(f)(10)(ii)); and

4.I will notify the DSO regarding any material changes to or material deviations from this Plan at the earliest available opportunity, including if I believe the student is not receiving appropriate training as delineated in this Plan.

Signature of Employer Official with Signatory Authority (Sign in ink):

Printed Name and Title of Employer Official with Signatory Authority:

Date (mm-dd-yyyy):

PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT

AUTHORITIES: Section 101(a)(15)(F) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, as amended (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F), Section 641 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA), Pub. L. 104-208, Div. C, 110 Stat. 3009-546 (codified at 8 U.S.C. 1372), Section 502 of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002, Pub. L. 107-173, 116 Stat. 543 (codified at 8 U.S.C. 1762) and Homeland Security Presidential Directive No. 2 (HSPD-2), authorize U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to collect the information requested in this form.

PURPOSE: The information collection on this form is used to assist in the administration of the STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension so that Designated School Officials (DSO) can properly recommend the Student for and review and help coordinate his or her STEM optional practical training opportunity.

ROUTINE USES: The information collected on this form may be shared with: the individuals who signed the Plan, relevant DSOs acting as liaisons with the DHS, Federal, State, local, or foreign government entities for law enforcement purposes, Members of Congress in response to requests on the Student’s behalf, or as otherwise authorized pursuant to its published Privacy Act system of records notice - Privacy Act of 1974: U.S.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, DHS/ICE-001 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) System of Records (https://www.dhs.gov/system-records-notices-sorns).

DISCLOSURE: The information you provide is voluntary. However, failure to provide the information requested on this form may delay or prevent participation in a STEM OPT opportunity.

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT

The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 7.5 hours per response, including time required for searching existing data sources, gathering the necessary documentation, providing the information and/or documents required, and reviewing the final collection. You do not have to supply this information unless this collection displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. If you have comments on the accuracy of this burden estimate and/or recommendations for reducing it, send them to: U.S.Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Policy, 500 12th Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20536

*See evaluation forms that follow for student’s first evaluation, to occur before the one year anniversary of the start date of the student’s STEM OPT employment authorization, and final program evaluation.

ICE Form I-983 (7/16)

Page 4 of 5

EVALUATION ON STUDENT PROGRESS

Provide a self-evaluation of your performance, using the measures previously identified, in applying and acquiring new knowledge, skills, and competencies identified in the Training Plan for STEM OPT Students. Discuss accomplishments, successful projects, overall contributions, etc., during this review period. Address whether there are any modifications to the objectives and goals for projects, or new areas for skill and competency development.

Range of Evaluation Dates: From (mm-dd-yyyy):

 

To (mm-dd-yyyy):

 

 

Signature of Student (Sign in ink):

Printed Name of Student:

 

Date (mm-dd-yyyy):

Signature of Employer Official with Signatory Authority (Sign in ink):

Printed Name of Employer Official with Signatory Authority:

 

Date (mm-dd-yyyy):

FINAL EVALUATION ON STUDENT PROGRESS

Provide a self-evaluation of your performance, using the measures previously identified, in applying and acquiring new knowledge, skills, and competencies identified in the Training Plan for STEM OPT Students. Discuss accomplishments, successful projects, overall contributions, etc., during this review period. Address whether there are any modifications to the objectives and goals for projects, or new areas for skill and competency development.

Range of Evaluation Dates: From (mm-dd-yyyy):

 

To (mm-dd-yyyy):

 

 

Signature of Student (Sign in ink):

Printed Name of Student:

 

Date (mm-dd-yyyy):

Signature of Employer Official with Signatory Authority (Sign in ink):

Printed Name of Employer Official with Signatory Authority:

 

Date (mm-dd-yyyy):

ICE Form I-983 (7/16)

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