STEM OPT Extension Mentoring and Training Plan

OMB Control No: 1653-0054	ICR Reference No: 202411-1653-002
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202103-1653-001
Agency/Subagency: DHS/USICE	Agency Tracking No: I-983
Title: STEM OPT Extension Mentoring and Training Plan
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 05/30/2025

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	05/31/2025
Responses	732,606	199,695
Time Burden (Hours)	1,352,879	737,540
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: The information collected on the Form I-983 serves as a planning document for STEM OPT students, the SEVP-certified school, and the employer. SEVP uses the form as an evidentiary document to track the STEM OPT student’s progress, identifying the terms and conditions of the practical training and documenting the obligations of the three parties that are involved—the F-1 student, SEVP-certified school, and employer. The student and the employer must each complete and sign their portion of the Form I-983. The SEVP-certified school adds the executed Form I-983 to the student’s school file and uploads it to SEVIS. The school and student must make the student’s Form I-983 available to ICE and to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) upon request or when the student seeks certain benefits from USCIS, such as an application for employment authorization.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 8 USC 1184 Name of Law: ALIENS AND NATIONALITY    US Code: 8 USC 1372 Name of Law: ALIENS AND NATIONALITY    PL: Pub.L. 107 - 173 543 Name of Law: ENHANCED BORDER SECURITY AND VISA ENTRY REFORM ACT    PL: Pub.L. 107 - 296 116 Stat. 2135 Name of Law: The Homeland Security Act of 2002    PL: Pub.L. 104 - 208 Div. C Name of Law: Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996    US Code: 8 USC 1103 Name of Law: ALIENS AND NATIONALITY    US Code: 6 USC 202 Name of Law: DOMESTIC SECURITY    PL: Pub.L. 107 - 56 October 26, 2001 Name of Law: Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Req to Intercept & Obstruct Terrori    US Code: 8 USC 1101 Name of Law: ALIENS AND NATIONALITY    US Code: 8 USC 1324a Name of Law: ALIENS AND NATIONALITY    US Code: 8 USC 1101(a)(15)(F)(i) Name of Law: ALIENS AND NATIONALITY

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 13188	03/20/2025
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 13188	05/30/2025
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title Form No. Form Name Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training (OPT) I-983 STEM OPT EXTENSION MENTORING AND TRAINING PLAN

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	732,606	199,695	0	0	532,911	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	1,352,879	737,540	0	0	615,339	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: Regarding the public burden associated with the Form I-983, SEVP saw an average increase of 55,536 in each respondent group: students, DSOs, and employers during this reporting cycle. This reflects the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. SEVP predicts no increase of STEM OPT applicants during the next 3 years. SEVP anticipates a reduction in DSO burden during the next 3 years as the new SEVP portal is more fully deployed. The following table identifies the delta from previous estimates to future estimates.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $2,100,000

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

Agency Contact: Scott Elmore 202 732-2601 [email protected]

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(i) Why the information is being collected;
			(ii) Use of information;
			(iii) Burden estimate;
			(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
			(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
			(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date: 05/30/2025

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