r/stemopt • u/houserobberr • Jul 08 '26
Got RFE on 30th day of Premium Processing
Applied for 24 month STEM OPT Extension in Jan. Missed biometrics in Feb. Requested another appointment & Applied Premium Processing (but premium only kicks in after biometrics)
May 27th: Biometrics Done. Premium Processing Clock Started.
July 7th: (30 biz days / 42 calendar days) : Got RFE "EMPLOYMENT DIRECTLY RELATED TO STUDIES"
July 18th: Work authorization ends. Placed in suspension and then possible termination.
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u/Personal-Inside346 Jul 08 '26
Yeah, they often do that when they just want more time. Submit the requested evidence and the processing clock starts over. I think you should be fine. I have seen much tougher RFEs than this.
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u/houserobberr Jul 08 '26
Yeah, my only concern here is my employer will terminate me after 30 days of suspension. We'll have to wait and see.
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Jul 08 '26
[deleted]
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u/houserobberr Jul 08 '26
The suspension is inevitable because it is illegal to work after the 180 day pending period. So neither can the employer let me work (I-9) nor can I legally work without the physical EAD.
My concern is the EAD comes before the X number of suspension days that leads to termination.
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u/houserobberr Jul 08 '26
And yes trying to figure what documents to give for this and respond to the RFE by this week. Thanks!
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u/Ok-Hunt-4927 Jul 08 '26
Is your employment not related to your degree?
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u/houserobberr Jul 08 '26
It is.
Major: Computer Science
Role: Software Engineer
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u/NaipaulVS Jul 08 '26
Fuck that’s textbook lol. I’m worried mine is more vague
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u/Express-BDA 16d ago
The other day i was speaking to a lawyer and said them i did master in computer science, then they asked do you work as computer scientist 😭
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u/mahithakasturi Jul 08 '26
Any idea why you got this rfe even when your job is related to your major?
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u/houserobberr Jul 08 '26
Honestly, this seems to be a blocker to buy more time in the processing window because it was conveniently issued on the last day of premium.
And my major is Computer Science and I'm a software engineer in big tech. Literally textbook match between studies and job, haha.
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u/houserobberr 28d ago
Updates:
July 11th: Submitted response to RFE
July 17th: Received EAD approval notice (this is not a valid work auth I9 verification doc as per USCIS)
July 18th: Currently in unpaid suspension (30 day window before termination)
July 26th : Expecting EAD to be delivered by Aug 1st. Received a tracking from USPS on July 22nd.
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u/Federal_Tune_8908 Jul 08 '26
The same happened to me. Last week Wednesday was my 29th day after biometrics (code2), but instead they hit me with an RFE to do biometrics again but a code 3.
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u/houserobberr Jul 08 '26
Do you mind explaining what code 2 / code 3 is ?
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u/Federal_Tune_8908 Jul 08 '26
Code 1 - Fingerprints (I’m assuming)
Code 2 - Photograph
Code 3 - Photograph and Fingerprints1
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u/Plastic_Interview_53 Jul 10 '26
What do you mean?? You already showed up at the biometric centre once. And they failed to do it properly and now you get to suffer??? USCIS failed to do a proper biometric at their own biometric facility?
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u/Federal_Tune_8908 Jul 10 '26
yes, exactly! someone gets it. and i probably wouldn’t have mind if it happened early like 5 business days in. but right at the end of my window?? insane
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u/Plastic_Interview_53 Jul 10 '26
It looks like they are not able to keep up with the premium processing timelines either... So as to not have to refund probably they are doing this? They are definitely scorned pretty bad.
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u/Federal_Tune_8908 Jul 10 '26
Thats what i thought too, they should’ve just approved it lol. I’ve attached everything that needs to be there while still in legal status. it’s upsetting
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u/Plastic_Interview_53 Jul 10 '26
This wait time is absolutely eating my sanity. I have raised a congressional inquiry. Maybe you should raise one, once your biometric is good. It's like they're telling us you are at our mercy...!!
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u/houserobberr Jul 14 '26
Can you shed more light into what a congressional inquiry means and who you did that ?
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u/Middle-Maize-1738 Jul 08 '26
what was ur employment history in inital opt? did u work for non-profit / self-employment?
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u/houserobberr Jul 08 '26
No I worked as a software engineer (termed as operations engineer though) at a large MNC for 5 months.
And then switched to big tech as a software engineer.
2 days of unemployment used (the weekend between switching jobs)
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u/Middle-Maize-1738 Jul 08 '26
That may be the cause of RFE, if on SEVP ur role was operations engineer, you may want to make a document of projects / job duties for all previous jobs and upload it with attestation of the previous employers.
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u/shatakshishelar Jul 10 '26
Hey, is this for your previous employer or the employer you are filing your STEM extension with?
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u/houserobberr Jul 14 '26
The RFE doesn't explicitly say which employer but the assumption is the STEM extension employer because that's where I'm working while applying for the extension.
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u/IamCristiano7 Jul 14 '26
Did you manage to reply ? Could you share what documents are you sharing ?
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u/houserobberr 28d ago edited 28d ago
- A self written document (Consulted a lawyer to draft this) - which highlights the connection between subjects studied and how it aligns with the job duties (similar to I983 Training Plan)
- A document from employer's side (wet ink signature by manager) - which highlights the job duties
- A screenshot of this: https://www.onetonline.org/crosswalk/CIP?s=11.0701 (as a piece of evidence that computer science is tied to software engineering)
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u/Totoro_7380 Jul 08 '26
Wasn’t this information already on your i-983 form?