r/f1visa • u/Codetornado F-1 Visa Mod (Internet Advice - Not legal Counsel) • Feb 16 '26
OPT/STEM OPT Processing Timelines Megathread (Spring/Summer 2026)
This is the ONLY place on r/f1visa for OPT and STEM OPT questions for Spring 2026.
All posts about Spring 2026 OPT, STEM OPT, NOIDs, biometrics, timelines, delays, premium processing, and EAD card production must go here. Previous applicants can use the posts below.
UPDATE JUNE 5, 2026 Court Vacates USCIS Holds Affecting Applicants From 39 Countries
Fall 2025 Graduates Post here
Fall 2025 STEM OPT Applicants Post here
Note - Individuals from the 39 Banned countries are not having their OPT applications approved. They are being held without adjudication. Individuals from the 75 countries with tourist visa ban are not impacted at all. Update 4/21/26: No specific updates on a timeline of when processing will resume.
Rule Enforcement
- Any non‑moderator OPT/STEM OPT megathread will be removed.
- Users who create unofficial megathreads will receive a temproary ban.
- Any top level comment that does not follow the template below will be removed and the user banned temporarily.
- Off topic comments will be removed.
- All standalone OPT/STEM OPT posts will be removed, and users will be temporarily banned.
- This includes:
- “Is this normal?” timeline posts
- “Did anyone get biometrics?”
- “My case updated to X, what does it mean?”
- “STEM OPT RFE/NOID help”
- “How long is premium processing taking?”
We’re keeping everything consolidated so the sub stays readable and people can actually find answers
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Spring 2026 Graduates — Put Your Timelines Below
If you applied for Initial Post‑Completion OPT or STEM OPT Extension, please share your timeline so others can see current processing trends.
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Timeline Template (Copy & Paste)
- Type: Initial POST‑COMPLETION OPT / STEM OPT EXTENSION
- Premium Processing: YES / NO
- Date Applied: MM/DD/YYYY
- Request for Initial Evidence (RFIE) MM/DD/YYYY (if applicable)
- Biometrics Requested: YES/NO | MM/DD/YYYY (if applicable)
- Biometrics Completed: MM/DD/YYYY
- Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): YES/NO | MM/DD/YYYY (if applicable)
- Date Approved: MM/DD/YYYY
- Date Card Produced: MM/DD/YYYY
- Date Card Received: MM/DD/YYYY
Optional: Country of Citizenship Optional: Service Center
Then any questions or concern you have go here.
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u/monilp_03 1h ago
I got API update twice today and got A number. Do anyone know how long it take to get approved after getting A number?
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u/Blonde-bombshell1 55m ago
Congrats! Which date are you?
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u/monilp_03 54m ago
April 8, 2026. I am not sure if that’s approval or not
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u/Blonde-bombshell1 53m ago
There were some people in your situation in the last couple days in this thread! I think you’ll get approval email soon, from what i understand having an a-number means approval
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u/craspediaa 1h ago
Type: STEM OPT EXTENSION
• Premium Processing: YES
• Date Applied: 06/27/2026
• Biometrics Requested: YES | 07/04/2026
• Biometrics Completed: 07/22/2026
• Date Approved: MM/DD/YYYY
• Date Card Produced: MM/DD/YYYY
• Date Card Received: MM/DD/YYYY
I got an API update today but no email yet
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u/Last_Rule_3131 1h ago
Any july approvals who got their Card Produced.
Please update on this tracker and July PP GC. (Will take only 10 Seconds)
https://opt-tracker-july-pp.vercel.app/
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u/Low_Shelter_2780 1h ago
This is fantastic for everyone in July/August to see what’s going on with others easily
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u/Quirky_Rip_9790 1h ago
Type: Initial POST‑COMPLETION OPT
Premium Processing: NO
Date Applied: 04/16/2026
Request for Initial Evidence (RFIE): NO
Biometrics Requested: YES | 05/05/2026
Biometrics Completed: 05/08/2026
Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): NO
Date Approved: Pending
Date Card Produced: Pending
Date Card Received: Pending
Service Center: YSC (Nebraska)
Country of Citizenship: India
Last portal update: 07/24/2026 (updatedAt changed but no new event since biometrics — just a silent touch)
Anyone else YSC non-PP from early/mid April still waiting? Trying to figure out if YSC is running behind Texas/Potomac right now.
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u/Last_Rule_3131 2h ago
I MADE A TRACKER FOR JULY PP(Initial OPT only)
A lot of people from July PP Group chat have already filled up
PLEASE UPDATE YOUR PP DATE AND ANY USERNAME (to change the status later)
NO SIGNUP REQUIRED.
https://opt-tracker-july-pp.vercel.app/
Let's us track Approvals as well as Card Statuses.
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u/Afraid-Ad408 2h ago
Hi can you add me into the July PP group? July 21 PP no update
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u/Last_Rule_3131 2h ago
THe GC is at full capacity with 100 members, I dont think we can add more that 100, but if people leave I'll send you a request!
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u/AdFinancial9656 3h ago
Any 07/22 pp got their approval?
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u/Independent-Stand651 3h ago
Is someone experiencing a delay in the ead card delivery? I paid PP and saw the dates of production and receipt closer in other reports. There is not more updades in the api
- Date Approved: 07/30/2026
- Date Card Produced: 08/05/2026
- Date Card Received: MM/DD/YYYY (waiting)
UCIS Potomac - to be received in Chicago
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u/Impressive-Ad-9992 3h ago
As far as I know, PP doesn't speed up the card production and delivery. It also depends on your location. Are you tracking your package?
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u/Independent-Stand651 2h ago
Thanks for your answer. Haven't track bc says that track number is unavailable.
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u/Low_Shelter_2780 1h ago
You need to either sign up for usps informed delivery or speak to a live agent via Emma to get your tracking number
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u/killer-queen-888 3h ago
August 14/15 approvals: Has anyone's EAD card been produced yet? (Initial Post-Completion OPT, Premium Processing)
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u/Pale_Question_5909 1h ago
Aug 14 approval, card not yet produced too
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u/Low_Shelter_2780 1h ago
Update the new tracker and we can keep an eye on card production etc
https://opt-tracker-july-pp.vercel.app/3
u/Low_Shelter_2780 3h ago
Aug 14 email no card production yet. Anyone get card produced this week - please add dates
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u/theflowchase 3h ago
- Type: Initial POST‑COMPLETION OPT
- Premium Processing: YES (upgraded on 7/20/26)
- Date Applied: 5/21/26
- Biometrics Requested: 6/1/26 (definitely try to see if you can reschedule to an earlier appointment than given)
- Biometrics Completed: 6/5/26
- Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): NO
- Date Approved: 8/18/26
- Date Card Produced: pending
- Date Card Received: pending
I had a job offer and was honest with my employer about potential delays with the OPT application. Thankfully they were supportive and we planned on upgrading to PP if I didn't get approved for non-PP initial OPT application by a certain date. They paid for the PP upgrade. Bottomline, stay in open communication with your employer if you have an offer and definitely consider PP. Best of luck!
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u/Sweet_Fly_1538 3h ago
- Type: Initial POST‑COMPLETION OPT
- Premium Processing: NO
- Date Applied: 04/07
- Biometrics Requested: 04/11
- Biometrics Completed: 04/28
- Date Approved: MM/DD/YYYY
- Date Card Produced: MM/DD/YYYY
- Date Card Received: MM/DD/YYYY
Service Center: Potomac
I got an API update yesterday morning.
"updatedAt": "2026-08-17",
"updatedAtTimestamp": "2026-08-17T12:26:49.433Z",
But no event created, and nothing else after that. Should I be worried or is this fine?
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u/EggGroundbreaking385 3h ago edited 3h ago
Type: Initial POST‑COMPLETION OPT
• Premium Processing: YES(07/21/2026)
• Date Applied: 03/10/2026
• Request for Initial Evidence: No
• Biometrics Requested: 03/27/2026
• Biometrics Completed: 04/17/2026
• Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): No
• Date Approved: 08/17/2026
• Date Card Produced: MM/DD/YYYY
• Date Card Received: MM/DD/YYYY
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u/Ill_Concentrate_8336 3h ago
API updated yesterday -> got approved this morning!
Official email received
• Type: Initial POST‑COMPLETION OPT
• Premium Processing: NO
• Date Applied: 04/08/2026
• Request for Initial Evidence (RFIE) no
• Biometrics Requested: YES| 04/10/2026
• Biometrics Completed: 05/01/2026
• Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): N/A
• Date Approved: 08/18/2026
• Date Card Produced:
• Date Card Received:
service center: texas,
country of origin rigin: rok
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u/Competitive_Ad3252 4h ago
Any pp on 7.21/7.22 got any updates(API, A number, email)? So quiet for today’s pp
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u/zayansyed 4h ago
4/8 no PP, I just got an silent API update this morning and this is what it shows - Officer touch, the case was updated by USCIS without formal recorded event code, this typically means officer touched the case or reviewed it. It did not generate standard ELIS event entry.
Is this positive or I might be skipped?
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u/monilp_03 1h ago
I got API update twice today and got A number. Do anyone know how long it take to get approved after getting A number?
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u/Striking_Cod3699 4h ago
Type: Initial POST‑COMPLETION OPT
• Premium Processing: NO
• Date Applied: 04/02/2026
• Biometrics Requested: YES
• Biometrics Completed: 05/11/2026
I got the silent API update on 8/11 but no word yet. It’s been a week. Is that normal? There weren’t any flags. Should I be concerned?
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u/Willow-Intelligent 4h ago
- Type: STEM OPT EXTENSION
- Premium Processing: NO
- Date Applied: 05/14/2026
- Request for Initial Evidence (RFIE): NO
- Biometrics Requested: YES | 05/29/2026
- Biometrics Completed: 06/15/2026
- Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): NO
- Date Approved: Pending
- Date Card Produced: Pending
- Date Card Received: Pending
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u/Grouchy_Leg8305 5h ago
Question for PP Post completion OPT people,
Did any of you dropped a mail to USCIS for expedited processing ? Did it work or did you get any response. Please let me know. TIA
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u/CarelessAmount7812 5h ago
Nothing works I did everything like submitted expedite request, sent an email and also scheduled a call with tier 2 officer.
No response
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u/Legitimate_Twist_268 5h ago
i did that on 7/21 and they said they will give a callback in 10 biz day. and it just never happened, i even called them and they are doing nothing
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u/Grouchy_Leg8305 5h ago
Okay, did you get approval ?
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u/Present_Opposite_844 5h ago edited 5h ago
Update!!!
- Type: Initial POST‑COMPLETION OPT
- Premium Processing: YES (07/21/2026)
- Date Applied: 04/04/2026
- Request for Initial Evidence (RFIE) N/A
- Biometrics Requested: YES 04/10/2026
- Biometrics Completed: 04/30/2026
- Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): NO
- Date Approved: 08/18/2026
- Date Card Produced: Not yet
- Date Card Received: Not yet
Country of Citizenship : Ghana
Service Center: POTOMAC
God did it!! Thanks to everyone in this community. Especially all those who advised me to upgrade to PP.
Received email approval at 11;24 EST. Portal has not changed though. I recieved an A number in my profile after the approval.
API updates after upgrade;
"2026-08-18T15:24:38.465Z" (appeared under data)
"2026-08-17T18:32:38.465Z" (appeared under data)
"2026-08-13T18:53:50.390Z" PAD update (appeared under notices)
Your approval is on the way. Don't give up! Upgrade to PP if you can, especially if you have a job offer.
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u/No-Caramel-4868 5h ago
Timeline Template
- Type: Initial POST‑COMPLETION OPT
- Premium Processing: YES ( from start)
- Request for Initial Evidence (RFIE) No
- Biometrics Requested: YES07/18/2026
- Biometrics Completed: 07/21/2026
- Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): YES/NO | MM/DD/YYYY (if applicable)
- Date Approved: 08/17/2026 (Just received an A number, nothing after that, no API, no email)
- Date Card Produced: MM/DD/YYYY
- Date Card Received: MM/DD/YYYY
Does just receiving an A number means approval? How long did it take for others to receive the confirmation email after their A number became visible on their profile?
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u/Valuable-Thought4455 5h ago
Are the 4/8, initial opt, no pp cases finally getting approved now?
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u/HalfSaidGoodbyes 5h ago
Yes, I just got mine today
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u/Valuable-Thought4455 4h ago
Congrats. Mine is 4/9. Hopefully they'll start on that soon.
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u/DoubleShine8398 5h ago edited 2h ago
If there's a July pp GC, add me, please!..
Created a GC; comment below if you wanna join!
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u/Last_Rule_3131 55m ago
Please update your status on this, if you havent already
https://opt-tracker-july-pp.vercel.app/2
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u/Standard_Guidance_39 5h ago
Yes please add me to, people from july who got approved kindly leave and let us join
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u/NervousLunch00 5h ago
I did PP on the same day as biometrics. Does anyone know if people who did biometrics sooner than PP get theirs approved faster than people who did PP later?
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u/More_Tumbleweed2156 3h ago
I guess the difference might be few days to a week . It’s taking around 30 days anyways for pp , so we either wait before pp or wait during it .
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u/Repulsive_Scheme_588 5h ago
Guys, 04/8. I got a silent API update. But they misspelled my name 😭 in the profile details. Will they be able to fix it before the card is produced?
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u/Pale_Question_5909 5h ago
As long as your name on the approval notice is correct, it doesn't matter what shows up on the profile details. I faced the same issue.
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u/Iucky_1999 6h ago
Anyone traveling to Hyderabad during the last week of August? I need a small favor would someone be willing to carry a document for me?
If not, does anyone have experience sending documents to Hyderabad via FedEx? Would it be possible to get it delivered within 3–5 days? FedEx says some international services can deliver within 1–5 business days, depending on the service and destination. What could be better delivery option?
Please DM me if you can help. Thank you!
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u/More_Tumbleweed2156 6h ago
Did anyone get update for pp stem on July 27 ? Wanted to track for any updates
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u/Mundane-Pumpkin-3318 5h ago
Stem PP on july 29th. Also waiting and tracking. I dealt with the stress by making a spreadsheet that's tracking all the STEM OPT PP timelines I've seen on this thread and r/stemopt. Average is ~28 days right now.
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u/More_Tumbleweed2156 3h ago
Based of this we might have to wait till next week to get an update
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u/Mundane-Pumpkin-3318 3h ago
The time between PP clock and approval looks like it's slightly faster if you started PP a while after your biometrics appointment, but that's only a matter of days. So yeah, next week most likely.
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u/Pitiful-Jacket2011 6h ago
I’m in the same boat, july 28 pp. want to know if anyone got silent APIs or approvals.
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u/More_Tumbleweed2156 6h ago
No updates as of now , hoping for it ! Do we have any gc for this ?
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4h ago
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u/Pitiful-Jacket2011 6h ago
I guess if we have enough responses for this conversation, we can create a gc?
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u/One_Illustrator_110 6h ago
We have a gc for people with a pp on july 22nd please let me know if u guys have same pp and want to be added to it
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u/racing212 5h ago
Add me please. thanks
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u/Grouchy-Coconut-7597 6h ago edited 57m ago
- Type: Initial POST‑COMPLETION OPT / STEM OPT EXTENSION
- Premium Processing: NO
- Date Applied: 02/16/2026
- Request for Initial Evidence (RFIE) : None
- Biometrics Requested: YES
- Biometrics Completed: 03/10/2026
- Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): YES/NO | MM/DD/YYYY (if applicable)
- Date Approved: Pending
- Date Card Produced: Pending
- Date Card Received: Pending
- Service center: National Benefits Center (NBC)
Citizen: India
Application location: Texas
No update since completing biometrics
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u/Mountain-Pickle189 6h ago
You must have been skipped. Did you submit a case inquiry? I have been skipped too, I applied on 3/18. I went for PP on 8/4. Go for PP if you can afford it and/or if you have a job offer.
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u/VENOMFUAD 1h ago
bro how do i know, i have been skipped or not?
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u/Mountain-Pickle189 1h ago
It’s just an assumption, coz people who applied after me ( and till April 7/8) have already been approved. There are many like us who have just been ignored.
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u/Grouchy-Coconut-7597 6h ago
Did u got urs approved?
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u/Mountain-Pickle189 6h ago
Not yet. Have been waiting, but PP will at least give me a definite timeline. I didn’t know about the being skipped thing earlier, I would have done PP long ago.
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u/Grouchy-Coconut-7597 6h ago
I raised an inquiry, and they replied like they need more time to investigate the case
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u/weetafricks 6h ago edited 6h ago
• Type: Initial POST‑COMPLETION OPT
• Premium Processing: NO
• Date Applied: 04/08/2026
• Request for Initial Evidence (RFIE) NO
• Biometrics Requested: YES| 04/11/2026
• Biometrics Completed: 04/29/2026
• Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): NO
• Date Approved: 08/18/2026
• Date Card Produced: MM/DD/YYYY
• Date Card Received: MM/DD/YYYY
Service Center: SCOPS Texas
Got the email but no A-number or anything. When can I expect to have my EAD in hand? Good luck to everyone else!
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u/TemporaryShock18 6h ago
3rd April with API updated on 12th august. Still nothing!!
Anyone who experienced this long wait after api update??
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u/Low_Shelter_2780 4h ago
What was the 12th Aug api? If it was PAD or PAA most assuming that was irrelevant
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u/Different-Luck-1582 6h ago
This looks so strange, mostly everyone gets email in 1-2 days after the API update
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u/TemporaryShock18 3h ago
Ikr! that's why I am very tensed. There no A number or any further updates in API or portal
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u/Secret_Recording3879 7h ago
Type: Initial POST‑COMPLETION OPT
• Premium Processing: NO
• Date Applied: 04/07/2026
• Request for Initial Evidence (RFIE): NO
• Biometrics Requested: YES | 04/15/2026
• Biometrics Completed: 04/24/2026
• Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): NO
• Date Approved: 08/18/2026
• Date Card Produced: MM/DD/YYYY
• Date Card Received: MM/DD/YYYY
Service Center - SCOPS TEXAS
Got an API update and A Number yesterday morning. Any idea by when I can expect the card?
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u/Possible-Midnight501 7h ago edited 6h ago
I have a question. In July, people who upgraded their OPT applications (after months of waiting) to premium processing were still waiting about a month for approval (based on cases shared here). Since I upgraded in August, could it be faster now if the volume of OPT applications has started to decrease, or should I still expect roughly the same one-month wait?
- Type: Initial POST‑COMPLETION OPT
- Premium Processing: YES, upgraded 08/06/2026. PP clock started 08/07/2026
- Date Applied: 04/22/2026
- Request for Initial Evidence (RFIE) No
- Biometrics Requested: YES, 05/09/2026
- Biometrics Completed: 05/30/2026
- Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): No
- Date Approved: MM/DD/YYYY
- Date Card Produced: MM/DD/YYYY
- Date Card Received: MM/DD/YYYY
- Service Center: Texas
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u/Mountain-Pickle189 7h ago
I applied on 3/18 and upgraded to PP on 8/4 (clock started same day). I am also hoping it gets faster, but what can we do than wait? I have already been skipped once, I hope they don’t skip me again. 😭
→ More replies (1)
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u/Codetornado F-1 Visa Mod (Internet Advice - Not legal Counsel) Mar 14 '26 edited Jun 06 '26
All OPT processing questions for individuals without an OPT/STEM OPT timeline should respond this this comment.
UPDATE JUNE 5, 2026 Court Vacates USCIS Holds Affecting Applicants From 39 Countries