USC Office of International Services
Sample I-983 for USC Graduates
DISCLAIMER: This document is intended only as in informational sample. All STEM OPT Extension participants and employers are
responsible for verifying their I-983 Training Plan is completed in compliance with USCIS requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/working-
united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment/stem-opt) and DHS instructions
(https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/stem-opt-hub).
Name of major and CIP
code – refer to “Major” on
Page 1 of your I-20
Bachelor’s, Master’s,
or PhD/Doctorate
USCIS only accepts scanned or copied wet
signatures. Typed or electronically generated
signatures are not permitted. There have been
no changes to this policy due to COVID-19.
Enter 9-digit “USCIS #” printed on
front of EAD – not “Card #”
If you are applying based on your most
recently obtained degree from USC, select
“No”. Most students will select “No”.
Students that select “Yes” must be applying
based on a previously obtained degree.
If you are applying for STEM OPT based
on the degree you earned at USC, write
“University of Southern California”. If you
are applying for STEM OPT based on a
degree you earned at a different school,
enter that school’s name here.
USC SEVIS Code:
LOS214F00291000
*Enter DSO name based on the
first letter of your last name:
A – G: Jo’Ann Dela Cruz
H – N: Sohee Kalayeh
O – U: Sumaiya Mamun
V – Z: Hannah Nho
Date on diploma
From: Enter the date after your 12-month post-
completion OPT EAD expires. Example: If your
EAD expires 6/10/2018, enter 6/11/2018.
To: Enter date two years from “From” date.
Example: If you entered 6/11/2018 for your start
date, your end date will be 6/10/2020.
USC Office of International Services
Sample I-983 for USC Graduates
Revised 6/29/2021
Per
USCIS, the “Start Date of Employment” for your STEM OPT Extension is always the
date after your 12-month post-completion OPT EAD expires. This date should match the
“From” date you entered on Page 1 of the I-983** and not the date during your 12-month
post-completion OPT.
**See bottom of page for how to complete I-983 if you are changing employers while on
the STEM OPT Extension.
**CHANGE OF EMPLOYER: If your STEM OPT Extension period has begun and you are requesting an I-20
due to a change of employer, enter the date you began (or will begin) working with your new company.
Refer to DHS’s I-983 tutorial for additional guidance on how to
properly complete the Form I-983:
https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/assets/stem-opt-hub/story.html
Refer to DHS’s Study in the States for additional guidance on how to properly complete
the Form I-983:
https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/stem-opt-hub/additional-resources/form-i-983-overview
USCIS only accepts scanned or copied wet
signatures. Typed or electronically generated
signatures are not permitted. There have been
no changes to this policy due to COVID-19.
USC Office of International Services
Sample I-983 for USC Graduates
Revised 6/29/2021
IMPORTANT: Please review the employer requirements and responsibilities required by USCIS at
https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment/stem-opt.
STEM OPT participants must be a bona-fide employee of the employer signing the Training Plan and verify the employer
that signs the Training Plan is the same entity that employs the student and provides the practical training experience.
Form I-983 Page 3 must describe how employment is directly related to major. If additional space is needed, add an
addendum to the Form I-983.
Refer to DHS’s Study in the States for additional guidance on how to properly complete
the Form I-983:
https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/stem-opt-hub/additional-resources/form-i-983-overview
Students who are working remotely must still
provide employer’s site address. This may or
may not match the address on Page 2. If you
are working remotely, please write:
“Permitted to Work Remotely: EMPLOYER
ADDRESS STREET, CITY, STATE, ZIP”
USC Office of International Services
Sample I-983 for USC Graduates
Revised 6/29/2021
Refer to DHS’s I-983 tutorial for additional guidance on how to
properly complete the Form I-983:
https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/assets/stem-opt-hub/story.html
Refer to DHS’s Study in the States for additional guidance on how to properly complete
the Form I-983:
https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/stem-opt-hub/additional-resources/form-i-983-overview
USCIS only accepts scanned or copied wet
signatures. Typed or electronically generated
signatures are not permitted. There have been
no changes to this policy due to COVID-19.
USC Office of International Services
Sample I-983 for USC Graduates
Revised 6/29/2021
Leave this section blank when requesting an initial STEM OPT Extension I-20.
**CHANGE OF EMPLOYER: If your STEM OPT Extension period has begun and you are requesting an I-20 due to a
change of employer, you must complete and submit a final evaluation for your previous employer, regardless of when your
STEM OPT Extension began.
This space is for your 12-Month Self-Evaluation, due 12 months after the approved
STEM OPT Extension EAD start date.
To calculate your due date and range of evaluation dates, refer to
https://ois.usc.edu/employment/employment-f1/opt/opt-stem/#reportingrequirements.
This section must be signed by the student and their current
supervisor, which may or may not match the individual(s) that
signed Pages 1-4.
USCIS only accepts scanned or copied wet signatures. Typed
or electronically generated signatures are not permitted.
There have been no changes to this policy due to COVID-19.
This space is for your 24-Month and/or Final Self-Evaluation, due by the STEM OPT
Extension EAD end date or when ending employment due to loss of employment,
change of employer**, changing visa status or transferring your SEVIS record.
To calculate your due date and range of evaluation dates, refer to
https://ois.usc.edu/employment/employment-f1/opt/opt-stem/#reportingrequirements.
Leave this section blank when requesting an initial STEM OPT Extension I-20.
This section must be signed by the student and their current
supervisor, which may or may not match the individual(s) that
signed Pages 1-4.
USCIS only accepts scanned or copied wet signatures. Typed
or electronically generated signatures are not permitted.
There have been no changes to this policy due to COVID-19.