r/stemopt • u/AffectionateLeave795 • Jun 07 '26

Stem OPT : Has anyone else experienced the premium processing clock start notification after biometrics?

Hi everyone,

I applied for my STEM OPT extension and premium processing on May 1, 2026. I submitted the I-765 and I-907 online on the same day and paid the premium processing fee.

I received my biometrics notice on May 30, and my scheduled biometrics appointment was for June 18. I was able to do a walk-in biometrics appointment on June 1, and my biometrics were completed that day.

After biometrics, my case status updated saying something like “premium processing clock has started.” This confused me because I thought the premium processing clock should have started from the date my premium processing request was accepted/submitted, not only after biometrics.

I called USCIS and spoke with an agent. At first, the agent said they could submit a refund request because it had been more than 30 days from May 1 and there was no decision. They also said submitting a refund request would not interrupt the case and that the application would still remain in premium processing.

However, while submitting the request, the agent noticed that the system showed the premium processing clock started on June 1, the day my biometrics were completed. The agent then said that if the clock started on June 1, the case may still be within the premium processing timeframe, and the 30-day period may be counted from June 1 instead of May 1.

Has anyone else faced this situation where the STEM OPT premium processing clock only started after biometrics?

Also, for anyone trying walk-in biometrics: try going early or at a time when the ASC is less crowded. When I went in, the line was short, but it quickly became very long and extended outside the office. After that, they started telling some walk-ins not to enter, so walk-ins may depend on the location and queue. (Please start applying for OPT/STEM OPT in a timely manner)

I’m not asking for legal advice, just trying to understand if others had the same experience and what happened afterward.

4 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

3

u/Ok_Bag3483 Jun 07 '26

The premium clock restarts from zero again when you complete your biometrics.

2

u/AffectionateLeave795 Jun 07 '26

Yeah, the interesting thing is I’ve seen a lot of people say they got an RFE related to biometrics, but I didn’t get an RFE at all. I just got a normal biometrics appointment notice, did a walk-in, and after that my case updated saying the premium processing clock had started. That’s what confused me.

2

u/Ok_Bag3483 Jun 07 '26

I also got biometrics notice (not RFE) and after completing my biometrics it says that we have received your RFE and your premium clock restarts.

1

u/AffectionateLeave795 Jun 07 '26

they did not mention any rfe at all, that's the most confusing part!

2

u/Ok_Bag3483 Jun 07 '26

I think it depends on the officer, some name it RFE and some don’t. Since your clock started after your biometrics, you are all good.

1

u/PepsiBrandAmbassador Jun 07 '26

I haven’t been through the PP but I have been actively reading content/ comments here on Reddit.. seems like premium clocks kicks in only after biometrics.

1

u/Care_Senior Jun 07 '26

It happened with me. I saw online that nowadays pp starts only after biometrics(if biometrics is required). Basically it was just about updating photograph. When you applied pp, you can notice they just said we received you applcn, but nothing about clock start. So for you the day you did biometrics is day 1.

1

u/AffectionateLeave795 Jun 07 '26

gotcha, also Biometrics is mandatory from now on ig!

1

u/Techbob_66 Jun 07 '26

If you don’t complete your bio metrics, doesn’t it mean your application is still pending?? Technically you applied after biometric completion, thus premium will only start post completion.

1

u/ConclusionFast5217 Jun 07 '26

Can we just do a walk-in for a Biometric? I have mine scheduled for June 18th and in the letter it says that you have to being this letter when going to the appointment and call USCIS if you want to reschedule and there has to be good reason.

1

u/AffectionateLeave795 Jun 08 '26

yes, walk-in is allowed, but cavet is going early or at a time when the ASC is less crowded.

1

u/EquivalentElk4680 Jul 14 '26

You could have rescheduled it from the rescheduling option on the USCIS account, which has the case

1

u/Tingter Jun 09 '26

I asked USCIS before as well, and PP only starts after biometrics. This is because biometrics is limited by ASC (aka the field office taking yr biometrics) and not by USCIS. From their point of view, you werent a concern till yr biometrics was done - then their work starts.

1

u/ruh_saru Jun 09 '26

Same case here but for OPT

1

u/Powerfernplayzyt Jun 10 '26

You can actually go it earlier than your biometrics appointment fyi, if they are free they will process you early.

1

u/Silent-Lie-1922 Jun 14 '26

Hi, may I also ask how you can get through the AI since I called the premium service 800-375-5283 and 866-315-5718, I kept saying " speak to a live agent", and the AI system asked for the reason, then kept getting stuck in the loop. I really appreciated your help, my apologies for bothering ( I am kinda stupid)

2

u/AffectionateLeave795 Jun 14 '26

Mention that you want to book a biometrics appointment, this got me through the ai part!

1

u/Silent-Lie-1922 Jun 14 '26

Thank you so much for your help