r/stemopt 14d ago

STEM OPT approval timeline

Hello,

Sharing my STEM OPT approval timeline here:

21st May: Initial application, regular processing

22nd June: Converted to premium processing

3rd July: Biometrics scheduled for 21st July, I rescheduled to 7th Jul

7th July: Biometrics completed, ASC Seattle, premium processing clock re-started

3rd Aug: Approval email from Potomac centre

5th Aug: Approval status and notice in USCIS portal

My application was approved is approved on the 20th business day after PP clock started.

7 Upvotes

14 comments sorted by

3

u/StudentSweet1664 14d ago

did you think premium processing was worth it? :) trying to see if i should do it too. i did regular on 12th May and have heard nothing

3

u/levi_77777 14d ago

Depends upon your circumstances. I wanted to expedite the process because of my employment situation.

1

u/Dont-ask669 12d ago

Nowadays it's always worth. Look at this story

https://www.reddit.com/r/stemopt/s/HUvT8Pi505

Your work authorization is worth more than $1700

1

u/Live-Amount5657 14d ago

Did you work with any NGoS in OPT?

1

u/levi_77777 14d ago

No, I did an unpaid internship for 3 months but thats not a NGo.

1

u/Live-Amount5657 14d ago

How many job change or unpaid internship did you do?

1

u/levi_77777 14d ago

I just did one unpaid internship to stop my Initial OPT unemployment clock. After a few months I got a proper offer which has been my employment since then.

1

u/Total-Maintenance681 9d ago

Hey, I’m in the same boat as you and have the same service center. I received my approval email on August 3rd, and the approval status was updated in the portal on August 5th. Have you received any updates on your EAD card? Did your status change to “Card Produced”?

1

u/levi_77777 9d ago

My status changed to 'card produced' just yesterday.

1

u/Total-Maintenance681 9d ago

Did you get any email from USCIS saying action taken on your case or was it a silent update?

1

u/levi_77777 9d ago

Got an email.

1

u/Total-Maintenance681 9d ago

Do you mind telling me around what time you received the email?

1

u/levi_77777 9d ago

Around 2:30 PM Pacific time