Frequently Asked Questions:
Initial OPT and STEM OPT

Students on OPT or STEM OPT are advised to plan carefully before leaving the U.S. and to contact the U.S. Consulate in their home country regarding visa renewal processes.

Guidance for students whose OPT EAD card has expired and whose STEM OPT extension is pending and has filed a timely I-765 for STEM OPT extension, and therefore whose EAD card is automatically extended for 180 days, may apply for a new visa. Students should be prepared to present their STEM OPT I-20 and proof that the I-765 petition was filed in a timely manner in the form of their original I-797C receipt. As noted in the Federal Guidance: U.S. Department of State foreign Affairs Manual 9 FAM 402.5-5(N)(6)(e):

"As the STEM OPT extension is automatic for the first 180 days following regular post-completion OPT (when the student has properly filed Form I-765), the student may not necessarily have a renewed EAD. Therefore, any students having automatically authorized employment through the OPT extension may not be able to present a valid EAD when they apply to renew their visa. However, F-1 students in this situation can request an updated I-20 from the DSO, annotated for the STEM OPT extension, as well as proof that the I-765 petition was filed in a timely manner.  You must confirm that the student's electronic SEVIS record contains the same information as the updated hard copy Form I-20 before issuing a visa."

How do I fill out the I-983?

Use our I-983 Guide. Looking for DSO contact information? Find it on page 2 of the guide.

What is I-983?

Form I-983 is a formal training plan that must clearly articulate the STEM OPT student's learning objectives. There are three main sections to the I-983.
1. The Training Plan (pages 1-4):

• When do I submit the I-983 Training Plan?
  • At the time of applying for the STEM OPT Extension to USCIS
  • If you begin employment with a new employer during your STEM OPT period
  • If you experience any changes in your current employment during your STEM OPT period that would change the information you originally stated in your I-983 Training Plan for that employer (e.g. job duties, salary, number of hours, etc.).
• How do I submit the I-983 Training Plan?
  • Follow the instructions on the STEM OPT page.

2. The “Evaluation on Student Progress” (top half of page 5):

•  When do I submit the I-983 Evaluation on Student Progress?
  • Submit the Self-Evaluation at 12 months (1 year) after the STEM OPT start date.
  • This is only submitted once during the entire STEM OPT Extension period.
  • You would complete this section for whatever employer(s) you are working for at the time.
  • If you are between jobs at 12 months after your STEM OPT start date, then you would complete this evaluation for your most recent employer.
• How do I submit the I-983 Self-Evaluation?
  • Submit your I-983 with the Self-Evaluation in the “F-1 STEM OPT Report Form” on iPortal.

3.The “Final Evaluation” (bottom half of page 5):

•  When do I submit the I-983 Final Evaluation?
  • When you end employment during your STEM OPT Extension
  • When you end your STEM OPT Extension 
    • This could be due to reaching your STEM OPT end date or could be if you end your STEM OPT early due to changing status or departing the U.S.
• How do I submit the I-983 Final Evaluation?
  • Follow the instructions on the STEM OPT page or the Completing/Ending OPT page.