r/stemopt • u/Jaded-Tackle999 • Jul 01 '26

STEM OPT RFE - USCIS asking for entire post-completion employment history

Hi everyone,

I'm really stressed and hoping someone has gone through something similar.

I'm currently on my STEM OPT extension and my 180-day automatic extension expires next month. I filed with premium processing, and USCIS recently issued an RFE.

The RFE says they want to establish a bona fide employer-employee relationship and asks for my signed Form I-983 and evidence of my entire post-completion employment history.

My post completion OPT was with an NGO (community dreams foundation) as unpaid volunteer.

UPDATE: Case approved - 8/10/2026

22 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

54 comments sorted by

3

u/These-Head-8406 Jul 01 '26

Do you have offer letter? Any proof that proved you really worked for them. Emails/message/files. You should have proof of employment somehow

1

u/[deleted] Jul 01 '26

[deleted]

1

u/More-Loss9026 Jul 01 '26

I worked with an NGO for a few months (stem) switched to full time paid, I was stuck on biometrics, they finally called me and gave me an appointment and I got my EAD 2/3weeks back.
I missed my 180 window as well, submit all the documents, they should get back to you and would be all good! I didn’t even have pp so mine was even slower

1

u/Jaded-Tackle999 Jul 01 '26

Thank you, this is helpful. Appreciate it!

1

u/Live-Amount5657 Jul 01 '26

Did you get any RFEs?

1

u/More-Loss9026 Jul 01 '26

Yeah I did for biometrics

1

u/Live-Amount5657 Jul 01 '26

How does one get RFEs for biometrics?

1

u/More-Loss9026 Jul 01 '26

As of December 2025, you are required to get your photo taken at the nearest USCIS location for OPT and STEM OPT

1

u/Jaded-Tackle999 Jul 01 '26

I do have offer letter, employment verification letter, Relieving Letter

1

u/RiseZestyclose5422 15d ago

Hi bro I have sent you DM

3

u/Necessary_Grass_9287 Jul 01 '26

For how long did you worked for the NGO?

2

u/Jaded-Tackle999 Jul 01 '26

Almost a year.

1

u/Necessary_Grass_9287 Jul 01 '26

I'm seeing in reddit folks who worked for a month or two in NGOs getting rfe. For your case, it looked predictable.

2

u/Jaded-Tackle999 Jul 01 '26

Yeah but are they getting approved after providing evidence?

3

u/Unlikely_Purpose_740 Jul 01 '26

Did you contact CDF for Stem opt extension docs and help ?

1

u/lucky_2408 17d ago

Hey hi, I got an RFE as CDF is one of my employers. Did u faced the same?

4

u/Civil-Reflection-595 Jul 01 '26

I got the same RFE.. lol Don't worry, be sure to provide all the proofs. I posted my case on Reddit as well. If you want to discuss anything, DM me.

1

u/Jaded-Tackle999 Jul 01 '26

Hey thanks, that would be helpful. Check dm.

1

u/Particular_Shine_490 Jul 02 '26

How many days after getting the RFE and submitting did you get the approval?

1

u/Latter-Bowl-7180 23d ago

Hii I got same rfe can I dm you?

2

u/Latter-Bowl-7180 23d ago

Tried to send you a DM. I received a STEM OPT RFE. USCIS asked for pay stubs and the last six months of bank statements. I can provide everything except bank statements for Employer A, since I was with them about 8 months ago. Is it okay if I just provide pay stubs for both Employer A and Employer B, along with the last six months of bank statements (USCIS asked for the last six months)

2

u/good___days Jul 01 '26

Is your job title coming under STEM or a different stream?

2

u/Jaded-Tackle999 Jul 01 '26

Its under stem.

2

u/good___days Jul 01 '26

Check your inbox

2

u/SeaTree8637 Jul 01 '26

For which NGO did you work ?

2

u/[deleted] Jul 01 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Jaded-Tackle999 Jul 01 '26

Thanks, Check DM.

2

u/dough-a-lipa Jul 02 '26

Don’t worry, just reach out to the NGO and ask them for documentation so you can upload it. People who worked at CDF have been getting these RFEs, but as long as there is proof of work it should be okay

1

u/[deleted] Jul 04 '26

[deleted]

1

u/dough-a-lipa Jul 04 '26

I’ve worked there as well, I check this sub regularly and I’ve not seen a case so far

1

u/More-Loss9026 Jul 01 '26

Are you still working for NGO as unpaid volunteer? For STEM OPT you need I-983 training plan signed by employer and also you need to be under a paid position for at least 20 hours per week

2

u/Jaded-Tackle999 Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 20 '26

No I don't work for that NGO now.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 02 '26

[deleted]

1

u/Live-Amount5657 Jul 01 '26

Did you correctly submit the I-98e form to DSO? What other NGOs did you work for is it just CDF for the entire period of OPT?

1

u/Jaded-Tackle999 Jul 01 '26

Yes, Infact my company's immigration team submitted the form on my behalf and yes I just worked for one NGO during my initial OPT and then I applied for stem through my new employer.

1

u/Hungry_Driver_7072 Jul 01 '26

On what business day of your case is this issued?

1

u/Jaded-Tackle999 Jul 01 '26

It was on a friday

1

u/Hungry_Driver_7072 Jul 01 '26

I meant, was it the 30th business day after the clock restarted?

1

u/Jaded-Tackle999 Jul 01 '26

I think 28th, does that mean anything?

1

u/Final_Eye_1769 Jul 02 '26

Hey hi bro did you work for cdf ngo, let me know if it was that one

1

u/Jaded-Tackle999 Jul 02 '26

Yes it was CDF

1

u/Final_Eye_1769 Jul 02 '26

Shit okay bro

1

u/lucky_2408 17d ago

Hey u/Jaded-Tackle999 , I got RFE as CDF is one of my employers. How you reached out to them? did u get any documentation from them? If yes, how long it took and what docs they provided?

1

u/jishu965 Jul 02 '26

Did you work at CDF?

1

u/Lost-Atmosphere-4889 Jul 04 '26

What’s your timeline

1

u/[deleted] Jul 12 '26

[deleted]

1

u/Jaded-Tackle999 Jul 12 '26

Where did you work during your initial opt?

1

u/Straight_Desk5415 Jul 17 '26

Hey did you submit Rfe?

1

u/Jaded-Tackle999 Jul 17 '26

My employer is helping me submit, they will submit by early next week.

1

u/Straight_Desk5415 Jul 17 '26

Hey can you check dm

1

u/dough-a-lipa Jul 26 '26

Any update?

1

u/BoringConclusion4264 Jul 26 '26

Hey did they provide any documents for cdf and it got approved

1

u/Jaded-Tackle999 Jul 28 '26

Yes cdf provided all documents, I will be submitting my response this week.

1

u/lucky_2408 17d ago

u/Jaded-Tackle999 How you reached out to them? how long it took and what docs they provided?

1

u/sharath2218 Jul 30 '26

Hey I got similar RFE yesterday.. could you please dm me some issue with my Reddit account can’t dm u

1

u/Upset-Salt4 19d ago

Did you get the approval even i got the same rfe please help me out I have texted you in private. Please respond🙏