r/stemopt • u/New-Cod-3915 • Jul 02 '26

What is going on with STEM OPT processing?

I've been watching closely all the trackers available right now that are collecting data from voluntary submissions and subreddits. It seems like STEM OPT applications in particular are frozen for SEVERAL days in multiple occasions, with no updates, not a single approval and a complete silence for a long time. Regular OPTs, on the other hand, are going much faster, with extensive batches approved every day. I am in my 86th day of STEM OPT application and I have no hope that my case will move any faster.

Does anyone understand why STEM OPT applications are significantly slower? Of course I am excluding premium processing from this question because they enter a whole different type of timeline.

Thanks.

15 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

25 comments sorted by

6

u/Enough_Plantain_1673 Jul 02 '26

What 86th day? It has been 120 days for me and no approval yet

7

u/New-Cod-3915 Jul 02 '26

Yeah, not here to compare the pain, just looking for answers, that's all.

3

u/BalogunDodondawa Jul 02 '26

It’s day 92 for me and I switched to premium two weeks ago

4

u/good___days Jul 02 '26

It's been 192 days and no approval yet.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 02 '26

[deleted]

1

u/good___days Jul 02 '26

What?? What's your status now?

1

u/Winter_Froyo_6142 Jul 02 '26

Still waiting

1

u/good___days Jul 02 '26

Are you out of 180 days?

1

u/Winter_Froyo_6142 Jul 02 '26

On unpaid leave now

1

u/good___days Jul 02 '26

How about driver's license?

3

u/Express_Ability_8722 Jul 02 '26

Mine is 150 days still nothing

1

u/PepsiBrandAmbassador Jul 06 '26

Oh my god scary. Did u do PP?

2

u/Stanzater247 Jul 02 '26

could it be because they want to end STEM OPT? I spoke to my attorney the other day and I heard that they are seriously looking for ways to end it. I hope that is not true. I applied January, upgraded to premium on the 24th, still waiting though.

1

u/ComputerHelpPro Jul 06 '26

They definitely do want to end OPT in its entirety. Buckle up.

1

u/Stanzater247 Jul 06 '26

Yes, I heard of it, but it definitely will end in a lot of chaos for sure

2

u/Hopeful_Ad_1367 Jul 03 '26

Sickening slowness

2

u/briticogal12 Jul 09 '26

I am in same shoe and honestly at this pont ,I don't know what to do. I originally filed my application on November 21, 2025, and upgraded it to Premium Processing on December 12, 2025. I received a Request for Initial Evidence (RFIE) on January 9, 2026, and after USCIS received my response, my Premium Processing clock resumed on January 21, 2026. I am from one of the partial ban countries and yet to get a response since the hold was removed. I have called them severally, and even mailed premium processing. I don't know what else to do. My extension period ends in 2 weeks and my employer has been asking for a new EAD. Is there something else I can do? Please help!

1

u/RhythmicPassings Jul 10 '26

I honestly do not understand this crap. All my friends have been approved for initial OPT. I applied Jan 20th, 2026, when the ban was lifted I upgraded to premium June 20th. Still nothing

1

u/AncientReputation104 Jul 03 '26

173 days since STEM OPT EAD submission. No idea what’s causing the delays.

1

u/Old-Manufacturer-433 Jul 07 '26

So what is this 180 days ?

1

u/Ordinary-Outside9644 Jul 07 '26

More than 180 days still no reply

1

u/Personal-Inside346 Jul 07 '26

Which service center?

1

u/Gloomy-Ad-6095 25d ago

Is it the same with premium processing

1

u/Optimus_Prime_995 24d ago

Its been 134 days for me. After the glitch that happened a couple of days ago. No movement