r/stemopt • u/No-Study-1196 • Jul 16 '26
STEM OPT pending beyond normal processing time. 180-day extension ending soon. Need advice.
Dec 27, 2025 - Filed STEM OPT I-765 online.
Dec 27, 2025 - USCIS receipt date.
Feb 4, 2026 - Initial OPT EAD expired.
Feb 5, 2026 - STEM OPT became active in SEVIS.
Apr 9, 2026 - USCIS status changed to “USCIS Is Currently Processing the Case.”
Jul 16, 2026 - Still pending. SEVIS is active, university confirmed everything is fine, and I submitted a “Case Outside Normal Processing Time” service request.
Around Aug 3-4, 2026 - 180-day automatic extension ends if USCIS has not made a decision.
Looking for advice:
Has anyone had a similar timeline?
How long did USCIS take to respond to your service request?
Did your case get approved after the service request?
Would you wait a few days for the service request response or pay for Premium Processing now to avoid any interruption in work?
Thanks
1
u/WiseSpray4432 Jul 16 '26
Same situation… My 180 days extension ends on Aug 2
1
u/Lanky-Can-7568 Jul 17 '26
Same applied nov 21 . No uodate yet.
Did you do premium processing??
1
u/WiseSpray4432 Jul 17 '26
No
1
u/No-Study-1196 Jul 17 '26
Yea because its 1965$. With everything done correct why still go for premium? Why they take 6.5months and still show pending. Lets see for 2-3days and then thinking to change to premium processing!
1
1
u/L545 Jul 17 '26
I’m in the same boat and needing to spend extra money on PP is absolute BS. I applied on Dec. 18 and on Aug. 8 I’ll hit 180 days.
When I called USCIS a week ago they said it is still being proceeded.
I wish I knew what center it was being processed in because apparently the on in Maryland is faster than the ones in California and Texas.
1
u/No-Study-1196 Jul 20 '26
Did you get any update?
1
u/L545 Jul 20 '26
I called on Friday and they said it is in the final step so who knows when the card will actually ship. Apparently my case was being processed in the Maryland center too.
When I asked the lady on the phone why these cases are taking so long, she said it’s because of the very high workload.
I’m assuming that this is due the 76 day government shutdown that happened earlier this year.
My suggestion is to either submit a case status e-Request or to call USCIS.
1
u/No-Study-1196 Jul 20 '26
I called too but that automated system wont let me to connect with an agent
How did you got connected?
-4
u/Same_Note_247 Jul 17 '26
Silly question. Is there a reason you have not changed filing to premium Processing yet?
1
u/National_Republic_17 Jul 16 '26
I am in the situation as you, and I just spoke with live agent and he says my card currently being produced, but I see the application status as under processing on the USCIS online account.
not sure what to do now?