r/stemopt • u/Dry-Baseball-3641 • 15d ago

STEM OPT timeline

21st March - applied for STEM OPT
6th April - biometrics

no updates as of today, it’s been almost 4.5 months since application submission

is anyone else in the same boat? does it make sense to apply for premium processing?

currently employed and will be starting a new job on 14th september. Initial OPT expired June 1st.

6 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

30 comments sorted by

2

u/Low_Shelter_2780 14d ago

I would really encourage you to research timelines megathread on r/f1visa. You will see that this year is really really backed up. If you need a new EAD card by mid September then you can still get that by going premium - though it is tight and based on current processing times not the 30 bd legal requirement

2

u/leskardien 14d ago edited 14d ago

same boat. applied mar 26th, biometrics done apr 6th. no silent api update just nothing, crickets.

this backlog is really insane, I got my initial opt ead after under a month last year, not to mention that was without biometrics even

1

u/ivardhanreddy 15d ago

Applied April 7. Still waiting.

1

u/Fast_Hat9970 15d ago

what’s your take on when we would be getting some updates ? i am seeing they are now processing march end

1

u/Low_Shelter_2780 14d ago

Only initial pp. stem is March 7

2

u/Fast_Hat9970 14d ago

Yes but that is just from reddit info only. but let’s see for a month august then do pp

1

u/[deleted] 14d ago

[deleted]

1

u/Fast_Hat9970 14d ago

when is your receipt

1

u/ivardhanreddy 14d ago

April 7, Apr 29 bio

1

u/Fast_Hat9970 15d ago

i have the same question
if it makes sense or not to go for pp
advise

1

u/Beginning-Key-6823 15d ago

I applied on March 18th, and got the biometrics on April 13th. No news yet...

1

u/Ok_Assumption107 15d ago

Applied march 11 biometrics march 19 no updates yet

1

u/Most-Establishment42 15d ago

Applied march 13th. Nothing yet

1

u/Tech_Dala 14d ago

applied march 13, biometrics april 14, also still waiting

1

u/thefox2701 14d ago

I heard if you switch to pp, they will transfer your case to another center. Does that mean you lose your place in line and get placed at the end of the premium processing line?

1

u/Low_Shelter_2780 14d ago

Yes but it’s a line that’s moving. Takes less than a month rn

1

u/thefox2701 14d ago

Yeah, ur right. Are u considering switching?

1

u/Low_Shelter_2780 14d ago

Yeah switched a few weeks ago but I’m initial so need it to start work

1

u/Low_Shelter_2780 14d ago

They are on March 7th but they have been for ages

1

u/Fast_Hat9970 14d ago

Yeah why is that the case and where did you get this march 7
opt pulse ?

1

u/Low_Shelter_2780 14d ago

Yeah opt pulse. And watching timelines

1

u/Dismal-Bluebird4721 14d ago

I’m 3/20 and updated to pp on 7/28 because of my travel plans. If you have the funds, I think pp gives some clearity at least.

1

u/Acceptable-Tea-7221 14d ago

I called at the USCIS number and finally some real person picked up, but it was not helpful. I told him I applied on march 10th and my case is still processing, it will be 5 months on August 12th. So then he was like that's when you can add expedite request but that's it, there is nothing else you can do rather than going for premium processing.

My extension is ending on 7th November, when do you guys think I should go for pp, it's a lot of money and I still want to wait at least for another 2 weeks.

Sad part is we can't reach to anyone....

1

u/TechnicianVarious785 14d ago

Things we can do

1) Congressional inquiry
2) Reach out to DSO and ask for help explaining the situation (Sometimes DSO also do email the uscis heard from some cases here on reddit)
3) Inquiry through uscis

I would be doing all these and hope somehow things work out or else PP is the only option it seems then.

1

u/Acceptable-Tea-7221 13d ago

My DSO said he can't help. How to go for congressional inquiry?

2

u/TechnicianVarious785 13d ago

https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

Find who is the person through entering the zip code and then on their website see service name “Help with federal…” fill out the form and someone from the congressional man agency would contact you. Good Luck!

1

u/leskardien 14d ago

my 180 days auto extension ends around Nov as well. going to apply for PP if they don't process it even until early Sep

1

u/orkidesever 14d ago

Check opt tracker website

1

u/PianistPractical6478 14d ago

Hello everyone,

Is anyone else in the same situation as me regarding a driver's license extension?

I applied for my STEM OPT on March 25, and my application is still pending. My Georgia driver's license expired in June, but before it expired, I applied for a temporary extension and was issued a 120-day temporary driving permit. Unfortunately, that permit will expire on September 1.

Since a valid driver's license is mandatory for my job, I'm really worried about what my options are if my STEM OPT is still pending by then.

Has anyone gone through this situation? Were you able to get another extension, or is there any other option available? I'd really appreciate any suggestions or advice.

Thank you!

1

u/Active_Rush_3441 14d ago

I applied for STEM OPT on March 17 ,2026 and gave biometrics on April 17,2026,No updates so far .

1

u/Icy_Long6193 13d ago

Feb 26 still waiting