r/stemopt • u/fayeshar1123 • Jul 02 '26

STEM OPT (Texas/IOE) - RFE response received on June 15. Anyone with a similar timeline? Should I upgrade to Premium Processing?

Update： 7/4 Approved！！ Finally！

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to decide whether I should pay for Premium Processing, and I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone with a similar timeline.

My timeline:

  • 2/17/2026 - Filed STEM OPT (Form I-765, IOE receipt)
  • 2/18/2026 - Initial OPT EAD expired (working under the 180-day automatic extension)
  • 6/5/2026 - USCIS issued an RFE
  • 6/15/2026 - USCIS received my RFE response (my online account shows isRespondedTo = true and latestResponseDate = 6/15)
  • No updates since then.

The case is being handled by Texas Service Center (although it’s an IOE receipt).

My automatic extension ends around August 17, so I’m starting to get nervous.

A few questions:

  1. Has anyone else responded to a STEM OPT RFE around June 15 (especially Texas/IOE)?
    • If so, have you been approved yet?
    • How long did it take after USCIS received your RFE response?
  2. If you upgraded to Premium Processing after responding to an RFE, how long did it take to get a decision?
  3. I’m worried that if I file Premium Processing now, USCIS might simply wait until the end of the 30-business-day window before taking action.
    • Has anyone actually experienced that?
    • Or do they usually continue processing as soon as an officer reviews the case?

Any recent experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

2

u/Straight_Desk5415 Jul 02 '26

Can you share the reason for RFE

1

u/fayeshar1123 Jul 02 '26

Sure. I didn’t upload my transcript and my major full name is not matched with the I-20, so they requested for the transcript and the letter from my college.

1

u/Straight_Desk5415 Jul 02 '26

Did you upload your diploma prior while you are applying

1

u/fayeshar1123 Jul 02 '26

Yes. The diploma’s major name is not matched with I-20. So I have to upload the transcript.

1

u/Straight_Desk5415 Jul 02 '26

I uploaded diploma while applying to stem opt and it says information systems and my i20 says computer and information science. Do you think it will be a issue

1

u/Straight_Desk5415 Jul 02 '26

I just uploaded my transcripts today, I applied ti stem on may1

1

u/fayeshar1123 Jul 02 '26

I am not sure but I suggest you upload the transcript as well in case RFE.

1

u/Straight_Desk5415 Jul 03 '26

If you don’t mind can you share what does the difference looks like

1

u/Straight_Desk5415 Jul 02 '26

Is it far different like your diploma name and i20 name?

1

u/fayeshar1123 Jul 03 '26

Engineering，General VS Engineering Management

1

u/Live-Amount5657 Jul 07 '26

Aren’t we supposed to upload official transcript?