Form I-983 documents the training you will receive during your 24-month STEM OPT Extension. It explains how your employment relates to your qualifying STEM degree, what you will learn, and how your employer will supervise and evaluate your progress. 


You and your employer must complete and sign the I-983 before submitting it in Terra Dotta for your STEM OPT Extension Request. If you have more than one employer, a separate training plan is required for each STEM OPT employer. The I-983 form does not authorize employment on it's own. Students must submit this form as part of the STEM OPT Application or STEM OPT Update Requests.


Before you begin:

 

Download the form and instructions directly from ICE:


Have your Form I-20, current Employment Authorization Document (EAD card), degree information, and employer information available when completing the I-983 form. Coordinate with your supervisor and/or Human Resources department to complete the employer sections. 


Who completes each section?

 

  • Section 1 Student Information: Student
  • Section 2 Student Certification: Student
  • Section 3 Employer Information: Employer
  • Section 4 Employer Certification: Authorized employer official
  • Section 5 Training Plan: Student and employer together
  • Section 6 Employer Official Certification: Authorized employer official
  • Page 5 Evaluations: Student, with employer review and signature (to be completed at the 12-month and 24-month mark of your STEM OPT period)

 

Note: You may not sign the employer certification on your own behalf.


Section 1: Student Information


Use your immigration and academic documents to enter accurate information. 

  • Student name: Enter your name exactly as it appears on your Form I-20
  • Student email: Provide your HU student email address
  • School recommending STEM OPT: Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
  • School where the STEM degree was earned: Harrisburg University 
  • SEVIS school code: PHI214F02099000
  • DSO Contact Information: Enter the name of the DSO who authorized your previous I-20 (name can be found on page 1 of current I-20), ISOHelp@HarrisburgU.edu, (717)901-5154
  • Student SEVIS ID: The SEVIS ID (N00********) is listed on your I-20
  • STEM OPT Requested Period: The start date is the day after your current OPT ends. The end date is 24 months after the start date. Example: If OPT ends October 31, 2026, then the requested STEM OPT would begin November 1, 2026, and end October 31, 2028
  • Qualifying major and CIP Code: This information is listed on Page 1 of your I-20 in the “Program of Study – Major 1” section
  • Level/type of Qualifying Degree and Date Awarded: This information is listed on Page 1 of your I-20 in the “Program of Study – Education Level” section and the date awarded can be located in the same section, under Program End Date
  • Based on prior degree: Select “Yes” only if you are using a previously earned qualifying STEM degree rather than the degree supporting your current Post-Completion OPT. Most students will NOT select "yes" for this question.
  • Employment Authorization Number: Enter the USCIS number from your EAD card

 

Section 2: Student Certification


Read every statement carefully, then sign and print your name, and date the section. Your signature confirms that you understand and agree to the student responsibilities described on the form. 


Section 3 and 4: Employer Information and Certification


Your employer must provide the requested company information, including its address, Employer Identification Number (EIN), industry code, number of full-time U.S. employees, compensation, weekly hours, and employment start date. Ask your employer to verify these details rather than guessing. The EIN and E-Verify identification number are different identifiers. 


An authorized employer official must read and sign Section 4. This certification addresses the employer’s resources, training responsibilities, and employment conditions.

 

Note if working remotely: On the Form I-983, the employer’s address is captured in Section 3: “Employer Information”. The site location, or where the student is physically working, should be captured in Section 5 under “Employer Site Information”. In the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), the employer’s location should be listed under “Employer Address” and the student’s exact location should be listed in the Remarks section.


Section 5: Training Plan


Complete this section with your employer. The plan should describe your actual training arrangement and be specific to your position. A job title or general job description alone does not explain the full training plan. Be sure to describe the learning objectives, training activities, supervision, and evaluation methods.


Section 6: Employer Official Certification


The employer must review the plan, read the certifications, and sign and date this section.

Make sure all required student and employer signatures are included. SEVP accepts physical signatures or electronic signatures. 


Page 5: Student evaluations


Leave the evaluation sections blank when submitting your initial training plan for your STEM OPT Extension Request in Terra Dotta. The top of page 5 will be completed at the 12-month mark of your STEM OPT and the bottom of page 5 will be completed at the 24-month mark. 


Important:

  • Your training plan needs to be updated to reflect your actual employment and training throughout your STEM OPT period. If there are any changes to your employment, please be sure to log into Terra Dotta and submit the STEM OPT Employment Update Request. 
  • When changing employers, submit a final evaluation (bottom of page 5) for the employer you are leaving and complete a new training plan for the new employer. For more information, please visit: OPT/STEM OPT Employment Updates and Reporting : International Student Office.
  • If you are transferring your SEVIS record to another university or changing visa statuses, please be sure to submit the I-983 Final Evaluation.