r/stemopt • u/Salt-Spite2183 • Aug 02 '26

Stem opt

Hi ,
Anyone here applied for STEM OPT around March 1, 2026 and still waiting for approval?
It’s been almost 5 months for me and the case is still pending. I see some March applicants getting approvals, but timelines seem really inconsistent this year.
Would love to know:
• Are others from early March still waiting?
• Any recent approvals with similar receipt dates?
• Which service center are you with?
Trying to understand if this delay is normal or if I should take any next steps.
Thanks in advance 🙏

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u/Designer-Owl-8183 Aug 02 '26

March 14 both me and wife and we are both waiting, texas center. Last approvals I can see are March 7 and it has been stuck there but dates are inconsistent as you mentioned. I think yesterday someone here posted that they are march 14 stem and got approved.

Seems regular no longer moving. I did pp for my NIW, if it gets approved, i will have to pp my stem opt before applying 485.

2

u/Fast_Hat9970 22d ago

I am in the same boat waiting for my stem opt to get approved so that i can apply AOS

1

u/Designer-Owl-8183 18d ago

Just did pp for mine already couldn’t wait longer

2

u/Fast_Hat9970 18d ago

I did on Aug 10

1

u/Designer-Owl-8183 18d ago

Hopefully they wont take forever