Hi everyone! I’m currently on F1 OPT, which will expire on February 11, 2025 and will transition to STEM OPT. I operate my own LLC and want to structure it to meet STEM OPT requirements.

Since the extension needs a bona fide employer-employee relationship, I’m considering appointing a relative(who is a US citizen) as a manager to handle supervision, hiring, and training. I know I’ll also need a detailed training plan (Form I-983) and to enroll the LLC in E-Verify(haven't done that yet).

Questions:

Is appointing a relative as a manager enough to meet the employer-employee requirement? Any guidance on structuring their role?

How should I document the training plan? Tips on ensuring it’s compliant?

Does anyone have experience using an LLC for STEM OPT? Would love to hear about any challenges,tips or consideration.

Thanks for any insights!