An employer who wants to provide a practical training opportunity to a STEM OPT student during his or her extension must:
- Be enrolled in E-Verify and remain in good standing.
- Report material changes to the STEM OPT student’s employment to Rutgers Newark OISS (Office of International Student and Scholar Services) within 5 business days.
- Implement a formal training program to augment the student’s academic learning through practical experience.
- Provide an OPT opportunity that is commensurate with those of similarly situated U.S. workers in duties, hours, and compensation.
- Complete the Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students following the Form I-983 Instructions. In this form, you must attest that:
You have enough resources and trained personnel available to appropriately train the student; the student will not replace a full- or part-time, temporary or permanent U.S. worker; and working for you will help the student attain his or her training objectives.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement may visit your worksite(s) to verify whether you are meeting the STEM OPT program requirements, including whether you are maintaining the ability and resources to provide structured and guided work-based learning experiences for the STEM OPT student. For more information, please refer to the DHS STEM OPT Hub.