Cómo revisar tu Formulario I-983 antes de presentarlo

Mostrado en inglés (versión autorizada); traducción completa en camino.

Check for completeness (the official criteria)

• The plan explains how the training is directly related to your qualifying STEM degree.
• It identifies goals — the specific knowledge, skills or techniques you will gain — and how they are achieved with the employer.
• It describes a performance evaluation process.
• It describes methods of oversight and supervision.
• Every field is filled in and the form is signed by both you and the employer.

Section 1 — fields people get wrong

• Your name exactly as on your Form I-20, plus your current SEVIS ID.
• The STEM OPT period may not end more than 24 months after your current EAD ends; the start date is the day after your current 12-month OPT ends.
• CIP code taken from your Form I-20; the degree must be a bachelor's or higher in a STEM field.

Training plan (Section 5) must cover

• Your role and how the training directly relates to your STEM degree.
• Goals: the skills/knowledge/techniques, how you'll achieve them, and the timeline.
• Employer oversight and supervision.
• Measures and assessments of your progress.
• At least 20 hours/week; pay commensurate with similar U.S. workers; you do not replace a U.S. worker.

Self-evaluations — the deadline trap

• First evaluation: within 12 months of your STEM OPT start date.
• Final evaluation: at the end of the extension.
• Submit each no later than 10 days after the end of the reporting period (or after an early end / employer change).
• Not submitting the final evaluation violates the I-983 terms and may jeopardize your status.

Material changes — report them

• Sign a modified I-983 and file it with your DSO at the earliest opportunity.
• Examples: EIN change from restructuring; a pay cut not tied to fewer hours; a significant drop in hours; falling below 20 hours/week.

Fuentes oficiales

DSOs and the Form I-983 ↗ · Students and the Form I-983 ↗ · ICE instructions (PDF) ↗ · Form I-983 (PDF, ed. 7/16) ↗