STEM student forms stay the same, yawn
Published Date: 3/20/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of Homeland Security is keeping the current form for STEM OPT students’ training plans without any changes. This means students and employers involved in STEM Optional Practical Training can continue using the same paperwork. Comments on this decision are open until May 19, 2025, and there’s no new cost or extra hassle expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Estimated time burden for students, schools, employers
ICE estimates average annual responses of 66,565 and per-response time: student initial completion 2.17 hours and 12‑month evaluation 1.50 hours; Designated School Official (DSO) review/recordkeeping 1.33 hours per action; employer initial completion 4.00 hours and evaluation 0.75 hours. The total estimated annual public burden is 737,540 hours.
STEM OPT Training Plan stays the same
The Department of Homeland Security is extending the current Form I-983 (Training Plan for STEM OPT Students) without changes. If you are a STEM OPT student, employer, or SEVP-certified school, you will continue to use the same paperwork and procedures now in place.
Students and employers must complete and sign I-983
The Form I-983 must be completed and signed by the STEM OPT student and the employer; the SEVP‑certified school incorporates the signed form into the student's school file and will make it available to DHS upon request. The form serves as the planning and evidentiary document tracking the terms, progress, and obligations of the student, school, and employer.
Form I-983 reformatted to capture contacts and pay
ICE is reformatting the Form I-983 to improve collection of SEVP school officials' contact information and to collect students' compensation while on STEM OPT. The revised layout is intended to better capture those specific data points.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-10082, Increasing the Fee for Certain Aliens Ordered Removed in Absentia as Established by the HR-1 Reconciliation Bill
The government plans to raise the fee from $5,130 to $18,000 for certain people who were ordered to leave the U.S. but didn’t and got caught later. This change affects those removed in absentia and includes yearly inflation updates to keep the fee current. Comments on this proposal are open until June 22, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up!
2026-11135, Departure Notification Record
The Department of Homeland Security’s ICE is asking for 30 more days of public comments on the Departure Notification Record, a form used to track people leaving the U.S. This affects travelers and agencies involved in immigration. No changes or new costs are planned, but your feedback can help improve the process before final approval by July 6, 2026.
2025-23087, Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension of a Currently Approved Collection: Flight Manifest/Billing Agreement
The Department of Homeland Security’s ICE is extending its Flight Manifest/Billing Agreement form, which airlines and related companies use to share passenger and billing info. This extension keeps things running smoothly with no new costs or big changes, but they’re asking for public feedback by February 17, 2026. If you’re involved in air travel or billing, this keeps your paperwork clear and official!
2025-20401, Certain Immigration Enforcement-Related Fees Required by HR-1 Reconciliation Bill: Fiscal Year 2026 Adjustments for Inflation
Starting December 1, 2025, two immigration enforcement fees will go up to $5,130 to keep up with inflation, thanks to the HR-1 law. This affects people who are caught after being ordered removed or found inadmissible between ports. The government will start charging these new fees for Fiscal Year 2026, so get ready to pay a bit more if this applies to you!
2025-11965, Imposition and Collection of Civil Penalties for Certain Immigration-Related Violations
This new rule changes how civil fines are handled for people who don’t leave the U.S. when they’re supposed to or try to enter illegally. Now, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will be in charge of issuing fines and handling appeals, instead of the Justice Department. These changes start right away and could mean quicker decisions and clearer rules for those involved.
2026-20367, Agency Information Collection Activities: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection Suspicious/Criminal Activity Tip Reporting
ICE is updating how they collect tips about suspicious or criminal activity and wants your feedback by November 4, 2026. This update aims to make reporting easier and clearer for everyone involved, with no new costs or big changes in timing. If you’ve got ideas on how to improve the process or reduce hassle, now’s the time to speak up!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-04768, Hazem Barmada, M.D.; Decision and Order
Dr. Hazem Barmada from Mississippi lost his medical license and didn’t keep his DEA registration up to date, so the DEA officially revoked his permission to handle controlled substances. This affects Dr. Barmada directly, stopping him from legally working with these drugs. The decision is final, and it means no more controlled substance handling for him starting now.
Next: 2025-04771, National Institute on Aging; Notice of Closed Meeting
The National Institute on Aging is holding a private virtual meeting on April 11, 2025, to review grant applications focused on managing early and late Alzheimer's disease. This meeting affects researchers seeking funding and keeps sensitive info safe. No public access means the discussions stay confidential, protecting personal and patent details.