Form I-983 Training Plan: How to Fill It Out
Form I-983 is the training plan you and your STEM OPT employer complete and sign before your DSO can recommend the extension. It explains how the job relates to your STEM degree, what you will learn, and how you will be supervised and evaluated. You do not send it to USCIS.
Every job is from an employer that filed H1Bs in 2025. See which ones fit your resume.
Who fills in what
- You complete the student section: your name as on your I-20, SEVIS ID, school, degree, CIP code, degree date and requested dates.
- Your employer completes the employer sections: company details, EIN, E-Verify number, hours, pay and the training plan itself.
- Both of you sign. You cannot sign for the employer, even if you own the company.
- Your DSO checks that it is complete and matches SEVIS. The DSO does not approve or reject the plan.
What the training plan must explain
Study in the States says the plan must cover these points:
- How the training relates directly to your STEM degree.
- Specific training goals and the skills or techniques you will learn.
- How you will reach those goals through the work.
- How your performance will be evaluated.
- Who will oversee and supervise you.
- That the employer has enough staff and resources to train you, and that you will not replace a US worker.
| Employer | H-1B filings | Transfers | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.Com Services LLC | 14,047 | 2,382 | $155k |
| Cognizant Technology Solutions US CorpGC frozen | 10,209 | 872 | $110k |
| Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | 9,808 | 269 | $143k |
| Google LLC | 7,899 | 844 | $186k |
| Microsoft CorporationGC frozen | 7,840 | 879 | $173k |
| Tata Consultancy Services LimitedGC frozen | 7,287 | 353 | $86k |
Tips for writing it
- Use concrete duties, tools and projects, not just a job title.
- Tie each goal to courses or skills from your degree.
- Name a real supervisor who works with you and can sign evaluations.
- List every work location, including any client site, and who trains you there.
- Make sure pay and hours match what you actually receive.
- Keep the EIN and E-Verify number identical to the employer's records.
Pay and similar workers
Your duties, hours and pay must match those of similar US workers at the employer. If the employer has not recently had more than two similar US workers, it must still attest that your terms are comparable.
A pay cut that is not tied to fewer hours is a material change.
Evaluations
You write a self-evaluation, and your supervisor reviews and signs it. The first is due at 12 months and the final one at 24 months, each within 10 days of the period ending.
If the job ends early, a final evaluation is due within 10 days of the end date. Study in the States says missing it may put your status at risk.
When you need a new or updated I-983
Report material changes with a modified form. If the updated plan meets the rules, your work permission continues. If your job may be moving to a client site, read staffing agencies on STEM OPT.
- New employer: submit a new I-983 within 10 days of starting.
- New EIN after a merger or ownership change.
- Significant drop in hours, including below 20 hours a week.
- Pay cut not tied to fewer hours.
- Big changes to your duties, training goals or supervision.
Where the I-983 fits
DHS may check the plan during a site visit. See RFEs and site visits. The employer must also be in E-Verify. Back to the STEM OPT hub.
This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm your situation with your DSO or an immigration attorney.
Questions
Do I send Form I-983 to USCIS?
No. You give it to your DSO before the STEM OPT recommendation. The DSO keeps it, and DHS can ask for it.
Can I sign the I-983 for my own company?
No. Study in the States says the STEM OPT employer must provide all employer signatures. You cannot attest on your own behalf.
When are I-983 evaluations due?
At 12 and 24 months, within 10 days of each, and within 10 days of a job ending early.
Do I need a new I-983 if I change jobs?
Yes. Submit a new I-983 to your DSO within 10 days of starting with the new employer.
Is there an official sample I-983?
Study in the States publishes the form and guidance, and many universities post annotated samples. Use your school's version if it has one.
Sources
- Study in the States: Form I-983 Overview
- Study in the States: Understanding the Form I-983 (Dec. 17, 2025)
- Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students (PDF)
- Study in the States: F-1 STEM OPT Extension (SEVIS Help Hub)
- Study in the States: STEM OPT Students Must Train with Bona Fide Employers
- Study in the States: STEM OPT Frequently Asked Questions
