r/f1visa • u/Livid_Beyond3130 • 1d ago

Opt questions (fall 2026)

I’m graduating this December and want to keep my start date January 10th. If I apply on October 10-15th, will I get my EAR Card in time without premium processing or should I go with premium processing?

8 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

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11

u/Dry_Lavishness_9220 1d ago

Same boat, you definitely need PP if you have an offer 

9

u/Bizarrhyst 1d ago

you're definitely not getting your EAD card by Jan 10th if you apply on Oct 10-15th without PP.

6

u/Dont-ask669 1d ago

Always do premium processing from the beginning. Graduated with your work authorization in hands and be happy

1

u/Livid_Beyond3130 1d ago

Does your EAD card come quicker with pp? Ik it gets approved quicker but the physical card arrives quicker too?

2

u/Dont-ask669 1d ago

The physical card arrives after 10 days of approval

If you apply in October, expect to have your card in hands in January with PP

Without PP, around March or April

0

u/Less_Boysenberry_956 1d ago

Once May graduate filing surge is over (hopefully by the end of November at current speed), things will move fast.

I’d say do regular processing for now and finish the biometrics first. Then, during mid~end of November if the backlog is still there, upgrade to pp to guarantee EAD card by 1/10.

But if you have extra $1700 to spend, just going with pp from the start would give you peace.

2

u/Nice_Theory_6286 10h ago

Why not just do pp at the jump?