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There are numerous employer requirements to which you must adhere. Some of those requirements are listed here, but you should pay particular attention to the attestation on page 2 of the I-983 Training Plan and the employer information located in Study in the States. General employer requirements include being registered with the E-Verfiy program and ensuring that hiring an international student with STEM employment will not displace a U.S. worker.
Employers
- Must be E-Verify employer
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Develop a training plan for the student
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Complete Form I-983 (more info below)
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Provide two evaluations for the student
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Responsible for proving compliance during government site visits
F-1 Students
- Have a job offer related to your U.S. STEM designated degree
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Work for an E-Verify employer
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Have a paid position in STEM field for at least 20 hours per week
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Work with IEC to complete a STEM OPT application and submit the application to USCIS
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Complete the student portion of Form I-983
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Submit the completed Form I-983 to IEC
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Responsible for completing validation reports every six months and submitting to IEC
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Completing parts of evaluation
MassArt IEC (International Student Advisor)
- Review STEM OPT application
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Issue STEM OPT recommendation on Form I-20
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Maintain the completed Form I-983 in student’s file
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Monitor student’s validation reports and evaluations
About Form I-983
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The formal training plan, Form I-983, must clearly articulate the STEM OPT student’s learning objectives and affirm the employer’s commitment to helping the student achieve those objectives. To fulfill this requirement, a student and their employer must complete and sign Form I-983 and submit it to the MassArt IEC. By signing Form I-983, students and their employers agree that they understand their obligations during the STEM employment.
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STEM OPT students and their employers are subject to the terms and conditions of the 24-month STEM OPT extension regulations, effective as of the employment start date requested for the associated STEM OPT period, as indicated on Form I-983.
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STEM OPT students may not act as their own employer or as the signatory for the employer for the purposes of the form.
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Instructions for Completing Form I-983 can be found here