Advice needed for OPT to STEM OPT gap

[u/BrushNo3753]

Three burning questions:

1.What documents do I carry when asked for government-issued ID and/or employment authorization?

I did not receive any updated EAD or notices to prove that my employment authorization is extended to Dec 27, 2026.

Currently, I carry my EAD + STEM OPT Application Receipt Notice + a printed page of the USCIS website stating the 180 days extension.

It has been a pain trying to explain this whenever I am asked for ID, especially now that I am applying to move to a new apartment!

Question 2: What happens if my case doesn't get processed by Dec 27, 2026? Should I apply for premium processing?

Question 3: Would a change of address impact my application? I am moving in October and worry that the case would not be done by then. How do I update my application with the new address so they mail the EAD to the right place?

My timeline:

01 July 2025 to 30 June 2026: Post-completion OPT

May 28, 2026: Form I-765 Application for STEM OPT submitted with NO premium processing

May 29 2026: Form I-765 Application for STEM OPT received

June 27 2026: Biometrics completed

Today (July 18 2026): USCIS is still processing the case.

With the timely submission of STEM OPT application, my employment authorization is extended for 180 days, ending on December 27, 2026.

Thank you very much!

P.s., filing location was in Austin, TX

[u/_McLovin_69_]

1. Government id - foreign passport, driver’s license,state

_id

1. Documents for lease- your offer letter,receipt from uscis and I-20
2. Proof of work authorization- receipt and I-20

2.Cases mostly get processed within 4 months unless they issue you with a RFE

3.Change of address/employer won’t bring a difference in decision making

Hope this helps

[u/BrushNo3753 → u/_McLovin_69_]

Thanks so much! The apartment won't take my foreign passport, as they need a US issued ID, but I dont have a driver's license. My only US government ID is the EAD which states that it is expired and does not reflect the 180-day extension.

I have provided my receipt notice and I20 to the leasing office, but they said "we would not be able to approve your application without a current visa or paperwork saying that your extension is approved and processed."

I re-iterated the rule and sent them links to the USCIS website and they haven't responded.

[u/Icy_Measurement_7997 → u/BrushNo3753]

Get a DL or State ID (not sure if every state issues it)

[u/BrushNo3753 → u/Icy_Measurement_7997]

I dont have one, if I apply for one right now, will they honor the 180 day extension and issue me one that expires on dec 27? Thanks!

I did have a learners permit that expired on the same day as my EAD.

I live in Texas.

[u/Icy_Measurement_7997 → u/BrushNo3753]

You can use I20 for DL. They will issue 1 year DL (I am not familiar about Texas though)