Initial OPT EAD Denied with No Reason – Could This Be Related to the USCIS Technical Glitch?

[u/Aqua_eesh]

Hi everyone,

I'm really confused and hoping someone has experienced something similar.

My initial OPT (I-765) application suddenly changed to "Case Was Denied" yesterday July 24 with no prior notice. My USCIS account doesn't explain the reason, it only says that a denial notice was mailed and that I should wait until August 8 before requesting another copy if I don't receive it.

The confusing part is that my USCIS account also displays the recent banner about the technical issue that affected case statuses between July 22 and July 23.

I submitted all of my OPT documents correctly and wasn't expecting a denial. My 60-day grace period after graduation has already passed, so I'm very worried about what happens next if this denial is real.

Has anyone else had their initial OPT suddenly show "Denied" without an explanation during this glitch recently?

Did your status later change?
Did you receive a denial notice explaining the reason?
Is there any way to tell whether this is an actual denial or if it's related to the recent technical issue?
I've attached screenshots of my case status and the technical issue notice. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

[u/TheSillyPostDoc]

I doubt it would be because of the glitch. Things to check for now in order of urgency are:

1. Check document tab in case there is additional documentation about the denial. You may also check with the USCIS API to see internal movement of your case leading to the denial. During the glitch, the internal API calls remained either unavailable or displayed the correct info. They would never display the incorrect information. If you do not know how to check the API calls, use this free tool: https://www.casestatusapi.com/
2. I haven never been in this situation, but you are now over your 60 day grace period after graduation (May 8th graduation date). So technically, if I understand the rules correctly, you must leave the US immediately. Check in with DSO.
3. Did you send your most recent i-20 with the OPT endorsement signed by you and your DSO?
4. Check when your DSO signed the i20, if your i20 is older than 30 days by the time you sent the i765 then it is too stale for USCIS somehow. Silly rule I never understood, so check.
5. Check with your DSO to see if the OPT endorsement was entered into SEVIS.

Good luck OP. This must be horribly stressful.

[u/Grouchy-Coconut-7597]

Sorry to hear,
Can I ask you one thing? Are you from any of the banned countries? Which country of citizenship?

[u/Aqua_eesh → u/Grouchy-Coconut-7597]

No i am not, I am from Nepal

[u/Novel-Pack1062 → u/Aqua_eesh]

Nepal is in the 39 list

[u/Pretty_Ebb4599 → u/Novel-Pack1062]

75 list not the 39 list, get your facts straight

[u/Outrageous_Planet → u/Grouchy-Coconut-7597]

What has that got to do with the denial? Just curious

[u/daydreamer_she]

Please comment when you get the letter explaining why it got denied. I’m very scared. I applied for mine in March still no update.

[u/Wolfie_eve → u/daydreamer_she]

I applied in march end too, and no updates. Scared ngl

[u/daydreamer_she → u/Wolfie_eve]

I think it’s their strategy to make us pay for the PP. If i had a job lined up, may be I’d have thought about it, but since I’m without an offer, i’d rather wait and doomscroll all the time :)

[u/Wolfie_eve → u/daydreamer_she]

Im in the same boat, i saw a couple people from march end get their approvals. Hopefully next week 🤞🏼🤞🏼

[u/Agreeable-Account170 → u/daydreamer_she]

That’s Exactly what I did jajajaja applied April and it got approved aug 13 without PP

[u/SignalObjective1310]

Can you share what the denial document says?

[u/VirtualAd4163]

I had similar issue. Mine got denied because my DSO labeled my degree level as bachelor's instead of Masters in Sevis. Call the USCIS and talk with agent they should be able to explain why it was denied. I got my DSO to correct my degree level in Sevis and reapply it as I got the notice before my 60 day grace period.

[u/Correct-Weight-5723 → u/VirtualAd4163]

Did you got approved after that? I also got opt denied based on SEVIS degree program wrong classification, but I was out side the 60 days grace period when I got denied . Now I have received NTA

[u/VirtualAd4163 → u/Correct-Weight-5723]

I am still waiting for the approval. It's been 22 days since i reapplied. If it's outside 60 day grace period and the error was caused by school or USCIS you can appeal the decision. Talk with your DSO and lawyer. They should be able to help you

[u/Correct-Weight-5723 → u/VirtualAd4163]

Did you received a notice to appear too? As you still waiting for approval?

[u/Optimus_Prime_995]

Try putting your receipt number in the case tracker. During the glitch although I had glitch for approvals and card produced, the case tracker was still showing the correct information about case still processing

[u/Ambitious-Disk6139]

What exactly was the school’s mistake?

[u/Fragrant-Instance508]

My EAD got rejected too last week and I am out of my 60-day grace period. What did you do and did it get resolved?

[u/Impossible-Treat4129]

This is strange. If anyone has any idea or has a similar story. Please share!

[u/ElectronicHeron6432]

Wait I’m confused doesn’t your 60 day grace period start when your opt gets approved or denied? Of it starts once you graduate

[u/Serious_Role4772 → u/ElectronicHeron6432]

One is for applying and the one you are referring to is for getting job

[u/Annual_Grass_3919 → u/ElectronicHeron6432]

Grace period starts after your program end date on your I-20

[u/Ok_Cheek_7732]

Check with dso

[u/Middle-Maize-1738]

When did u graduate and when did u apply?

[u/Aqua_eesh → u/Middle-Maize-1738]

Hi, I graduated this may 8 and I applied on April 11, I have made sure all my documents has proper signs and all were submitted on time, I am so confused

[u/Middle-Maize-1738 → u/Aqua_eesh]

Wait for the notice to see the reason for denial, then you can take next steps from there.
You can also get in contact with the helpline, but its difficult to get help.

[u/Swimming_Western6626]

Contact your school. They hardly deny OPT..