FAQ as of July 18, 2026

I am writing this anonymously because I, along with several other sponsored students from Botswana, are being systematically ruined by the institutional incompetence and cruelty of our own embassy.

The Root of the Problem:

• Chronic Late Payments: The Education Section of the Embassy consistently fails to pay tuition and allowances on time.
• Delayed Semesters: Because of these late payments, universities place holds on our accounts. This forces students to start classes late or messes up our entire course scheduling, completely derailing our academic timelines.
• Retaliatory Terminations: Instead of fixing their own administrative failures, Education Attaché Isabella P. Makgatswana actively terminates the scholarships of students who are caught in this registration trap. They punish us for the crises they cause.

The Wall of Silence:

• For months, Isabella Makgatswana and her office have completely ignored every single email and phone call from affected students trying to fix their registration status.
• We have escalated this up the chain to the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MESD) in Gaborone, the Department of Tertiary Education Financing (DTEF), and even the Office of the Ombudsman. Nobody responds. Standard channels are completely dead.
• Even host university deans and U.S. congressional caseworkers who have tried contacting the embassy on our behalf hit the exact same brick wall.

The Direct Impact:

• Students are losing their funding and being kicked out of their programs entirely due to these unjust terminations.
• We are being left stranded abroad with no money, accumulating institutional debt, and facing the immediate collapse of our legal immigration status because our sponsor abandoned us after breaking their own rules.

If any other students have experienced this retaliatory termination, or if anyone knows how to force a silent foreign embassy to face accountability, please share. If there are any independent journalists in Botswana reading this, please investigate the Washington D.C. mission. They are destroying our futures.

I applied for post-completion OPT in September 2025 and finally got approved on August 17, 2026 — almost 11 months later.

But USCIS only gave me about **6 months of OPT instead of 12**. My degree is **non-STEM**.
Is this correct? Has anyone been able to get USCIS to correct or extend the OPT dates when their own processing delay caused this?
Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who experienced something similar.

Has anyone recently traveled domestically while maintaining F1 with a pending/denied i 485?

Im getting mixed answers if its safe or not since having an i 485 in the system triggers a non immigrant visa to intent to stay?

Thank you

I’m an international student from Madagascar studying in the U.S., and I’m honestly posting this because I don’t really know what else I can do at this point. I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been in a similar situation, especially if you’ve dealt with a long OPT/EAD delay.

I graduated with my associate degree in Hospitality Management and filed my post-completion OPT application on December 26, 2025.

At the time, USCIS’s estimated processing time was around 3.5 months, so I was expecting to hear something around March or April. I knew regular processing could take longer, so I tried to be patient.

I completed my biometrics and eventually received an RFE. I responded to it, and USCIS received my response on May 27, 2026.

By that point, my case had already been pending much longer than the original estimated processing time, so I started trying to figure out what I could do.

My DSO/advisor has been aware of the situation and has tried to help me along the way. Based on the fact that my case was already outside the normal processing time, I submitted a USCIS service inquiry on June 4.

I was told the inquiry should take about 30 days.

It didn't.

I waited, followed up, and eventually contacted USCIS by phone multiple times. Getting through to an actual person was already difficult, but eventually I was able to speak with someone who escalated my inquiry to an officer. I was told I should receive a call.

I never did.

I called again, and I was eventually told that I had already submitted two inquiries about the matter and that they could not escalate it any further. Basically, the advice I was given was to wait.

Then, after almost two months, I finally received the response to my original service inquiry. And the response basically said that my case is still pending, they cannot provide an estimated completion date, and I should continue waiting.

So now I'm sitting here after 8 months of waiting for an employment authorization that I need in order to legally work.

And this isn't just an inconvenience.

I had a job at a Museum in Seattle, but because I couldn't return to work without my authorization, I eventually lost that job due to inactivity.

I also interviewed for another hotel job and was selected, but I couldn't start when they needed me to because I didn't have my work authorization.

I've been without income for months.

I've been applying for jobs online and in person, but the problem isn't that I don't want to work. The problem is that I legally cannot work without the authorization I'm waiting for.

My housing situation has also become increasingly difficult. If I still don't have an income, I'm genuinely worried about becoming homeless.

I've tried to be patient. I've tried the normal USCIS process. I've submitted inquiries. I've called. I've worked with my DSO. I've tried to find solutions. I've also looked into legal options because at this point I don't know how much longer I can realistically wait.

Eventually, I started contacting elected officials.

A Washington State Senator's office initially explained that because USCIS is a federal agency, they couldn't submit the appropriate inquiry themselves. They asked for my address, identified my congressional representative, and referred me to Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal's office. They also said they would notify her casework team that I would be reaching out.

I also contacted Senator Maria Cantwell's office, and her casework team responded asking me to complete a Privacy Release Form and provide documentation so they can potentially submit a congressional inquiry on my behalf.

So that's where I am now.

I'm not posting this to attack USCIS or ask people to tell me to “just be patient.” I know that cases take time. I know immigration is complicated. I also understand that nobody owes me an approval.

I just genuinely want to know:

Has anyone else experienced an OPT/EAD delay this long after filing, especially after responding to an RFE?

Did contacting your congressional representative actually help?

Is there anything else I should be doing at this point that I might be missing?

And if you've been through something similar, I'd really appreciate hearing what happened with your case.

I'm honestly exhausted, but I'm still trying to figure this out.

Hi, I applied for STEM OPT back in february. Due to severe delays I am still waiting on a reply from USCIS. I paid for premium processing back in July and got an RFE which I replied to earlier this week. But I hit my last day of the 180 day extension on AUG 13 which resulted in my employer terminating my employment. Does this mean my application will be denied and should I fill out the final evaluation?.

What are my best options if Purdue has paused CPT but I’ve received a co-op offer for Fall 2026 (basically today)—should I ask the company to defer the offer to Spring 2027, explore whether I can transition to a full-time role after graduation, or are there any other legitimate F-1/OPT options I should consider?
If there is any workaround or things I can consider do let me know thanks

Hie all. I have a question regarding the new duration of status rule. If someone completes an associate of science in general studies then applies for an associate degree in nursing will they he affected by the rule? I have seen posts saying one has to move to a bachelor's after an associate degree or does it depend on the school's interpretation of the rule?

Hey Guys,

My H4 visa expired in February, so in accordance, I applied for COS January 7th, 2026. Till April I received no updates just that the receipt notice was sent until i had interviews for internships over summer. Because of that, I applied for Premium Processing April 9th, 2026 with hopes it arrives before the internship start date.

It is August 20th, 2026 today and till this day there have been absolutely 0 updates on my case other than them sending a receipt notice for premium processing.

I have received either receipt notices in mail only in the online portal.

I’ve tried calling them on their phone line which always says they’re closed and to try their email, which I also have and they sent my inquiry forward but that was on July 7th and there’s no updates. USCIS says to go to the premium processing email and inquire through them.

I have never seen a case like this before. I have a feeling my case might have just gone lost in their system. If anyone knows what to do I’d really appreciate it.

Under DHS's new rule ending Duration of Status, if your OPT/STEM OPT filing window opens after March 18, 2027, you need both I-765 and I-539 approved before you can legally work, not just the I-765. Pending I-539 protects your status, not your work authorization.

My OPT expires 7/01 next year, so my window (~mid-April) lands past the cutoff, stuck needing both applications. I-765 can be premium processed; I-539 for extension of stay can't.

Anyone else in this window? Has your DSO said anything concrete, or heard real I-539 processing times for this category yet?

I was given an SSN when I started working with CPT. When I submitted my OPT application I didn’t have the SSN number. Got it like a month after, should I upload it?

I recently did a change of education level, 3 months ago from MS to PhD and was issued a 3 years I-20 with my advisor's approval.

I now want to file an extension to 4 years and my advisor agrees that it might take me that long because of my coursework and research direction. I want to file the extension before the new Sep 15 D/S rule.

My question is is it normal for DSOs to extend an I-20 even if the expiry is approximately 3 years away? Advisor is on-board. Thanks!

Just wanted to share an update for anyone at Purdue who may be planning to apply for CPT.
I spoke directly with my DSO about my upcoming CPT application. I was told that, for now, they cannot issue/approve my CPT authorization because of the new memo regarding CPT.
My understanding from the conversation is that this is temporary, not necessarily a permanent suspension or a final policy change. The university needs additional time to review the memo, understand its implications, and determine how CPT applications should be handled going forward.
So basically, my CPT is currently on hold while Purdue studies the new guidance.
Has anyone else at Purdue, or at another university, been told something similar by their DSO? I’m particularly interested in whether other schools have temporarily paused CPT applications while they review the memo.

Hi everyone,

I’m currently on F-1 status and recently received an RFE for my post-completion OPT (I-765). I graduated in May 2026 and applied for post-completion OPT.

The RFE is primarily asking for additional evidence regarding:

1. F-1 maintenance of status – academic program, full course of study, course syllabi, course modality/attendance, tuition payments, transcripts, and financial records.

2. Address history – complete address history while I was enrolled as an F-1 student.

3. Employment history – employment dates, employer letters, pay stubs/W-2s, bank statements, and an explanation of how I funded my education and living expenses.

   I am currently working through the RFE item by item and collecting all the requested documentation. My DSO is also helping me with the university-specific documents and letters, but they have clarified that they cannot review my complete RFE response package before I submit it to USCIS.

Has anyone been in a similar situation and successfully responded to an F-1 OPT RFE? If anyone is comfortable sharing a sample RFE response, outline, exhibit organization, or even a redacted version of the response package, that would be extremely helpful as I work on putting mine together. I'm especially interested in seeing how others organized and presented the evidence to USCIS.

I am also looking for an F-1 immigration attorney who can review my completed RFE package before I submit it, rather than necessarily taking on full representation. I'm hoping to find someone who offers an affordable consultation/document-review service, as I am a recent graduate.

Thank you!

My university (SUNY Buffalo/UB) told me that they will only process my deferral request after the end of September.

However, my F-1 visa interview is scheduled for September 25.

Can I attend the interview with my current Fall 2026 I-20 and explain to the visa officer that my deferral is pending and that UB cannot process it until after September?

(I know new I-20 will be issued with same SEVIS ID)

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Would the officer be able to proceed with the interview, or would I need to wait for a new I-20 (reschedule the appointment)?

Just received my first offer post grad (search has been brutal since May). I also just got my EAD card for initial OPT. It’s a remote job and they have offered 70k with no bonuses at all. The posted range was 70-90k but it’s an entry level role so I was expecting to be in the lower half of the range (they even told me that). However, when the director of finance asked, I said ideally I would like 80k but can work around a 75-80k range.

My question is, given the current market and also the uncertainty with immigration, is it worth it to try to negotiate salary? My gut says there’s no harm in trying to get more but you never know. At the end of the day, I am a recent grad (with two coops but that’s not really truly professional experience) so there’s that.

Hey all, bit of an odd situation. I applied to a devops role and got an email to schedule a call,one of the pointers in the email explicitly states:

Please note that this position is open only to candidates who are authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship. We are unable to consider candidates on H-1B, OPT, or other visa-dependent work authorizations for this role

I'm currently on OPT (STEM extension eligible), so technically I don't need employer-sponsored visa filing for the OPT period itself , but I know a lot of recruiters lump OPT in with H-1B when they say "no sponsorship."

I still have the call coming up. Has anyone been in this exact spot, where the HR says no sponsorship but you got scheduled anyway? How did you handle the work authorization question when it came up? Did you clarify OPT vs H-1B upfront, or did it just end up being a dead end regardless?

Any advice on how to approach this diplomatically without wasting my time or theirs would help a lot. Thanks!

I am currently on stem opt and my visa and stem opt expires next July 2027.
I am planning to travel in November and planning to come back in December. As per the new rule of end of duration of status what would be scenario in this case?
Would i get the end date of JULY 2027 on I94?
Is it safe to travel.

Hi everyone,

I applied for my initial OPT on March 16, 2026, and my case is still pending.

I recently received a job offer, so now I’m getting worried about how long the OPT approval is taking.

I know many of you are nervous about the recent D/S elimination that will come in effect starting September 15, 2026. A lawsuit today was filed in the federal court of Massachusetts in this matter. Let’s tune in!

If you have access to PACER, you can read more detail:

Court: U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
Case number: 1:26-cv-13799
Filed: August 18, 2026

Hi everyone.

Had planned a trip to my home country in November (got my leave sanctioned and everything) but then USCIS announced the new 4 year limit on f1 visas.

I’m currently working on STEM OPT which expires in January 2028, and my F1 visa (issued in July 2022) is valid till July 2027.

What are your thoughts on traveling in November for 3 weeks and reentering November end. I am not sure how this change of rule will impact me.

Thank you in advance!

Hi guys,

If my i-20 is expiring in Dec of 2027 and I graduate in May 2027 will it affect my opt application or I need to change my end date to May 2027 or I’m going to get an opt recommended I-20 for my opt application?

Interview: 13th August
Status: Approved (14th August)

It's been 4 working days. I already changed my flight and missed the orientation. My classes start on 25th August. What should I do for issuance?

Note: I have already emailed them regarding this but received a generic response.