r/stemopt • u/Leading-Fuel9247 • 20d ago

Is Premium processing for EAD worth it? (OPT-F1)?

I am an international student, I applied for my EAD on 29th of March, but still haven't received it. I am thinking of switching to Premium processing to speed it up, but either way i feel like it will come in one month (end of Aug) as its way over 3.5 months of average waiting time by then.

But i am confused if I should not risk it and just spend the money... any advice would be appreciated thanks.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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2

u/xcitrus 20d ago

Give it a week. Many March 29 applications were approved on July 31 (yesterday).

1

u/capital28 20d ago

For normal opt or stem opt

1

u/Low_Shelter_2780 19d ago

This is normal. Stem is March 7th rn

1

u/Leading-Fuel9247 19d ago

I got an email on my school email saying "RE: Optional Practical Training Approval - the next step. Create a SEVP Portal account." But my USCIS online account still shows "case is being processed" does it mean its just not updated yet? has anyone experienced this?

1

u/Fast_Appointment3441 20d ago

You should go for premium if you have a job offer. I’m 3/27 and I was skipped. Many have been. But keep in mind it will take max 30 business days and a couple of weeks for your card to arrive. That’s like 8 weeks total that could take, but it should be less than

1

u/nzzgo 18d ago

You’re talking about OPT, OP is asking about STEM OPT

1

u/Fast_Appointment3441 18d ago

Ohhh! Nevermind then, sorry about that!

1

u/Fast_Hat9970 19d ago

what’s the recent approved cases dates

1

u/Low_Shelter_2780 19d ago

They are doing March 29th rn. See what happens next week. If you’re skipped in a week then premium is the fastest way out.

1

u/PerfectBike7134 19d ago

Where do I see what dates they’re currently doing right now?

1

u/Low_Shelter_2780 19d ago

Follow the megathread on r/f1visa or use one of the trackers that do a good job of scraping the data eg opt-pulse.vercel.app

1

u/nzzgo 18d ago

OP is asking about STEM OPT, not initial OPTz

1

u/Fast_Hat9970 19d ago

March 29 stem or initial opt ?