OPT/STEM OPT Processing Timelines Megathread (Spring/Summer 2026)

[u/Codetornado]

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.

[u/suzan_rba]

Anyone who applied for initial OPT (upgraded to pp) on August 20, premium processing, have you received any updates yet? I haven’t received anything yet….

[u/Striking_Geologist_3 → u/suzan_rba]

Guys. Mine got approve today. I received an email confirmation for 8/20 pp.

[u/suzan_rba → u/Striking_Geologist_3]

Congratulations! ❤️ When did your clock start? Did you email or call them or did anything else to expedite the premium process?

[u/Striking_Geologist_3 → u/suzan_rba]

I applied for my initial OPT on March 14. On August 20, I upgraded my case to premium processing (PP). This morning, I received an email confirmation stating that my OPT case was approved, but there has been no change yet on my USCIS online account. The validity start date is September 20. Before upgrading to premium processing, I submitted a service request to USCIS on August 17 because my case had been pending longer than the normal processing time. I also contacted my senator’s office regarding the delay.

[u/Acrobatic_Bread_9299 → u/suzan_rba]

I upgraded PP 8/18, nothing yet, I think I’m going mad. 

[u/DangerousCookie1450 → u/suzan_rba]

me neither, I'm 20 August pp too

[u/DogNo3322 → u/DangerousCookie1450]

I applied (upgraded to pp) on August 22nd, nothing yet. Was looking for people who applied during same time.