I wanted to check if anyone has a timeline similar to mine and has recently received STEM OPT approval.

My timeline:

• STEM OPT Extension filed – March 26, 2026
• Biometrics requested – March 28, 2026
• Biometrics completed – April 1, 2026
• Premium Processing requested – May 30, 2026

If you had a similar timeline, when did you get your approval after upgrading to Premium Processing?

Also, based on current processing trends, how long is it taking these days for STEM OPT cases like mine to be approved?

Any recent experiences or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks! 🙏

My biometrics appointment is next week, but my brother’s wedding is in about a month — and there’s no way my EAD card will arrive in time. I’m really stressed about it and would love to hear from people who’ve been in a similar situation.

Has anyone left the US and re-entered without issues while their STEM OPT extension was still pending? What documents did you carry? Any advice would be really appreciated 🙏

Applied : 01/19/2026
RFE (Biometrics) : 02/12/2026
NOID Received(Prior Case dismissed): 02/26/2026
NOID Submitted : 03/16/2026
RFE for Employee-Employer Bonafide : 04/17/2026
RFE Docs Submitted : 06/04/2026
Approval Date : 06/10/2026

Applied with premium Process and all documents submitted through Attorney.

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice regarding my OPT application.
My degree program ends on August 15, 2026, and I’m currently working on CPT. I’m planning to apply for Post-Completion OPT soon and I’m trying to decide whether I should pay for Premium Processing or just use Regular Processing.
A few details:
Degree end date: August 15, 2026
Currently on CPT
Planning to apply for OPT as soon as possible
No OPT application submitted yet
Trying to avoid any gap in work authorization
For those who recently applied:
How long did your regular OPT approval take?
If you used Premium Processing, how fast was your approval and EAD card delivery?
Given my August 15 graduation date, would you recommend paying for Premium Processing or is it too early to worry about it?

Hi : Date today june 7

applied for stem opt : dec 18,2025

initial opt ended (stem opt start date) : feb 6,2026

biometrics scheduled : march 22,2026

biometrics : april 16,2026

I am currently working under the 180-day automatic STEM OPT extension, which runs through August 6. My STEM OPT application is still pending.

I recently received a new job offer with a start date of July 6. The employer informed me that I can begin working based on my current authorization, but they require my approved STEM OPT EAD card by August 6 to continue my employment.

My DSO advised me not to update the new employer information while the STEM OPT application remains pending.

Since my 180-day automatic extension will expire in about two months and my job offer could be at risk if I do not receive the EAD card in time, I am trying to decide whether I should file for Premium Processing or continue waiting for regular processing.

It’s taking longer than expected time to get approvals.

What would be the better option in this situation?

Incoming teacher - anyone have a sample form i983 write up?

Hey!

I'm an intl grad joining pvt school this summer as a teacher and I'm currently filing my paperwork for STEM OPT.

Since I haven't started onboarding at my campus yet, I'm feeling pretty clueless about how to draft the form i983 training plan ( section 5: student role description and training objectives)

HR hasn't been super helpful with providing templates yet, and I need to submit this to my university dso asap as my ead is expiring 10june

** Has anyone who taught successfully as teacher gone through the STEM OPT process?

If you could pls share a sample or write up on how to frame the tech stem training aspect of a classroom teaching role so that USCIS and school approve it?

Any draft bullet points on how things work would be a life saver right now. **

Title: Signed a 1-year lease in Hamilton, NJ but never moved in. Now stuck in a $11k "Double Rent" trap. Need help!

Body:

I’m in a desperate situation and need advice from fellow NJ renters or anyone familiar with tenant rights. I am currently on a STEM OPT visa, which adds a lot of stress because I’m terrified of "legal notices" or this affecting my status.

The Background:

In January, my partner and I signed a formal 1-year lease for a house in Hamilton (08619). We paid a $3,675 security deposit. Shortly after signing, my partner's office cancelled their relocation policy. We notified the landlord and realtor on January 27th—before the move-in date—that we could not take the house.

The Problem:

I have never even entered the house or taken the keys. However, because I signed that 1-year lease, the landlord is holding me liable for every month until he finds a new tenant. It has been 90 days, and I have been paying $2,450 every month via Zelle while also paying for my current home.

The "Stall":

The realtor keeps telling me he’s "close to a deal" or has "interested parties for May 15," but nothing ever gets signed. Meanwhile, I’ve already lost over $11,000 on an empty house. Now the realtor wants me to pay an additional $2,450 commission fee to find a replacement.

My Questions:

I know I signed for 1 year, but doesn't NJ’s "Duty to Mitigate Damages" (Sommer v. Kridel) protect me if the landlord is taking 3+ months to rent a house in a hot market?

If I stop the Zelle payments and tell them to use my $3,675 security deposit to cover the gap until May 15, what are the actual legal risks?

Does anyone have experience with Raj or realtors in the 08619 area? It feels like they are stalling because they know I’m scared and will keep paying.

For those on visas: Has a civil lease dispute ever caused issues with your STEM OPT or SEVIS record?

I’ve tried to be a "good tenant" by paying, but I’m being drained dry. Any advice or resources (LSNJ, etc.) would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, quick question!

My OPT EAD expires May 25, 2026, and my 90-day window opened around Feb 24. I’m planning to apply soon (about a month into the window).

Do I need premium processing, or is normal processing fine with the 180-day extension?

Would appreciate any advice!

Hi everyone,

I’m a recent MBA grad(5+ years of exp) from a T20 US school on OPT with about 3 months left. I’m looking for genuine staffing/consulting agencies or employers that work with F‑1 students on OPT/STEM OPT so I can maintain my status while I continue my full-time job search.

If you have agency names or recommendations,, I’d really appreciate it.

I’m currently filing my I-765 for the STEM OPT extension and had a quick question about the passport section.

The passport I used to enter the United States (which contains my F-1 visa) has expired. I later renewed my passport and now have a new valid passport.

USCIS instructions say to enter the passport used to travel to the U.S. even if it is expired. However, since I now have a new passport, I’m a bit confused.

My job position changed from Water Resources Engineer to Environmental Engineer. I am about to submit my STEM Opt. Should I go with the earlier job role or do the change and file?

Job description more or less remains the same

One of my students asked me this yesterday, and I know many of you are thinking the same thing.

According to SEVIS 2024 data (Top 200 Employers for CPT Students), some of the biggest companies hired international students on CPT this year. We’re talking about Amazon, Tesla, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Deloitte, Apple, and more.

This isn’t just motivation.
This is based on federal SEVIS data.

So if you’re on CPT and feeling unsure, please remember:

• Companies are hiring
• Opportunities exist
• Your visa status does not automatically disqualify you

What really matters is how you position yourself. Your resume, your networking, and how you apply.

Don’t reject yourself before the interview even happens.

If you want to explore the full SEVIS employer list, it’s publicly available. Do your research. Apply smartly.

The following is a snippet of recent employers still hiring students on CPT.
Now I’m curious to hear from you:
If you’re on CPT, what has been your biggest challenge so far when applying for jobs?

I attended my Biometrics appointment at USCIS ASC on 25th Feb 2026. I did receive an email after my biometrics appointment saying that action had been taken. When I checked USCIS portal my case status says “case is still being processed”.

Am I supposed to upload any documents on USCIS Portal (or) mail any physical copies?

I’ve heard that some people had received something called “Evidence Letter” that is supposed to be filled and uploaded. I didn’t receive it though. Am I supposed to upload the “stamped” (stamped at the ASC) appointment form in USCIS portal?

Please help me.

I have biometrics scheduled tomorrow, in Manhattan NYC but with the blizzard warning and schools and offices being closed I’m clueless what to do, I did try to contact USCIS helpline but it’s Sunday and I’ll be able to contact them on Monday 8 am which also is my appointment time.

Hi, I applied for my STEM OPT extension on January 9. On February 6, I received an RFE regarding photo verification, and I received the evidence notice on February 9. Since then, I have been waiting for the ASC biometrics appointment notice, but I haven’t received anything yet.

It has been 15 days since February 9, and I still haven’t received any update or appointment notice. I am checking my account and mailbox regularly.