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The ICE I-983 form, officially known as the Training Plan for STEM OPT Students, plays a crucial role in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) process for international students in the United States. Designed for those in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, this form outlines the training and work experience that students will receive while on OPT. It requires detailed information about the student's educational background, the employer's details, and the specific training goals. Additionally, the I-983 form emphasizes the importance of mentorship and supervision, ensuring that students gain practical skills relevant to their field of study. By clearly defining the relationship between the student and the employer, the form helps maintain compliance with immigration regulations while fostering a productive learning environment. Completing the I-983 is not just a bureaucratic step; it is an opportunity for students to articulate their professional aspirations and how their work experience will contribute to their career development. Understanding the nuances of this form is essential for students and employers alike, as it sets the foundation for a successful training experience during the OPT period.

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 some key do's and don'ts to keep in mind:

  • Do read the instructions carefully before starting the form.
  • Do provide accurate and complete information.
  • Do ensure that all signatures are obtained where required.
  • Do double-check for any spelling or numerical errors.
  • Don't leave any required fields blank.
  • Don't use abbreviations or jargon that may confuse the reader.
  • Don't submit the form without a thorough review.
  • Don't forget to keep a copy of the completed form for your records.

Document Attributes

Fact Name Details
Purpose The I-983 form is used for STEM OPT extension applications, allowing students to apply for an additional 24 months of work authorization.
Eligibility Students must have completed a degree in a qualifying STEM field from a U.S. institution to be eligible for the STEM OPT extension.
Employer Requirements Employers must be enrolled in the E-Verify program and provide a structured training plan for the student.
Form Components The I-983 includes sections for student information, employer information, and a detailed training plan.
Submission The completed I-983 must be submitted to the Designated School Official (DSO) for endorsement before applying for the STEM OPT extension.
Governing Law The I-983 form is governed by federal immigration law, specifically the regulations set forth by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Review Process USCIS reviews the I-983 as part of the STEM OPT application process to ensure compliance with training and employment requirements.
Updates Students must report any changes in employment or training to their DSO and submit a new I-983 if necessary.

Key takeaways

When it comes to the ICE I-983 form, understanding its purpose and how to fill it out correctly is crucial for international students participating in STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind:

  • Purpose of the Form: The I-983 form is designed to outline the training plan for students on STEM OPT. It ensures that the employment experience aligns with their academic goals.
  • Collaboration is Key: Students should work closely with their employer to complete the form. This collaboration helps in creating a realistic and beneficial training plan.
  • Detail is Important: Providing detailed information about the training objectives, methods of supervision, and evaluation processes can significantly enhance the quality of the form.
  • Regular Updates: The I-983 form is not a one-time submission. Students must update it if there are any changes to their training plan or employment situation.
  • Compliance Matters: Adhering to the guidelines of the I-983 is essential. Non-compliance can jeopardize a student’s legal status in the U.S.

By keeping these takeaways in mind, students can navigate the I-983 form with confidence and clarity, ensuring a successful STEM OPT experience.

Example - ICE I-983 Form

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)

Page 1 of 5

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)

Page 2 of 5

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)

Page 3 of 5

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)

Page 5 of 5

Detailed Instructions for Writing ICE I-983

Filling out the ICE I-983 form is an important step in your application process. This form requires specific information to ensure compliance with regulations. Follow these steps to complete the form accurately.

  1. Begin by downloading the ICE I-983 form from the official website.
  2. Read the instructions carefully to understand the requirements for each section.
  3. Fill in your personal information, including your name, SEVIS ID, and contact details.
  4. Provide details about your degree program, including the name of your institution and your field of study.
  5. Complete the section on the training plan. Describe your training objectives and how they relate to your field of study.
  6. Outline the specific tasks you will perform during your training. Be detailed and clear.
  7. Include information about your employer, such as the company name, address, and contact person.
  8. Discuss how the training will enhance your skills and contribute to your career goals.
  9. Have your employer review and sign the form to confirm their support for your training plan.
  10. Double-check all entries for accuracy and completeness before submitting the form.

Once the form is completed, gather any additional required documents. Ensure that everything is organized and ready for submission to the appropriate office. Timely submission is crucial for the next steps in your process.

Documents used along the form

The ICE I-983 form is an essential document for international students on STEM OPT, outlining their training plan with their employer. However, several other forms and documents are often used in conjunction with the I-983 to ensure compliance with immigration regulations and to facilitate the training experience. Below is a list of these important documents.

  • I-20 Form: This is a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. It is issued by the educational institution and is required for students to apply for their F-1 visa. The I-20 confirms the student's acceptance into a program and outlines the duration of their study.
  • I-765 Form: This form is used to apply for Employment Authorization Document (EAD). For STEM OPT, students must submit this form to obtain permission to work in the United States after completing their degree.
  • Employer's Letter: A letter from the employer detailing the job offer, including job title, duties, and duration of employment. This letter serves as additional documentation to support the training plan outlined in the I-983.
  • Form G-28: This is a Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative. If an attorney is assisting with the application process, this form must be submitted to inform USCIS of their representation.
  • OPT Application Receipt: This is the receipt notice from USCIS confirming that the student's application for Optional Practical Training (OPT) has been received. It is important for tracking the status of the application.
  • Motorcycle Bill of Sale: This essential document records the sale and transfer of ownership of a motorcycle, serving as proof of transaction between the buyer and seller. For templates, you can refer to Texas Forms Online.
  • Evaluation Forms: These are periodic evaluations that the student and employer must complete to assess the training experience. They are typically submitted at the 12-month and 24-month marks of the STEM OPT period.
  • Passport and Visa Copies: Students should maintain copies of their current passport and visa. These documents are necessary for verifying their legal status in the United States during the OPT period.

Each of these documents plays a vital role in ensuring a smooth and compliant training experience for international students on STEM OPT. Properly preparing and submitting these forms can significantly ease the process and help avoid potential issues with immigration authorities.