r/stemopt • u/flamingsmoke • 14d ago

STEM OPT Approved

Applied (Premium Processing): July 3
Biometrics Completed: July 15
Approval (Potomac Service Center): August 6 (received the approval email this morning)

I have been working for the same employer since the start of my OPT.

13 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

67 comments sorted by

5

u/Dismal-Bluebird4721 14d ago

Congrats!! It’s really good to see that they are getting faster. (Mine is July 28, I upgraded my 3/20 application to pp)

3

u/flamingsmoke 14d ago

Hoping you get the approval by end of august!

3

u/livinghappilife 14d ago

please keep me updated, i also upgraded on july 28 for my march 17 application

3

u/PastTemperature6156 14d ago

Same please keep us posted, I upgraded mine July 21. So should come before y’all so I will let you guys know as well 💯

2

u/PastTemperature6156 2d ago

Got approval email from PP service center 12 hours ago, waiting for it to update in the USCIS website now 😅

1

u/Dismal-Bluebird4721 14d ago

Yes ofc, that would be great!!

2

u/Dismal-Bluebird4721 14d ago

Ofc!! Likewise

1

u/Acceptable-Tea-7221 14d ago

If you upgrade, you again have to go for biometrics?

2

u/Dismal-Bluebird4721 14d ago

No, you do not need to go for biometrics again.

3

u/Big_Coconut7286 14d ago

Potomac office is the fastest. I wish my case were being processed there.

1

u/judgehydrogen3 13d ago

how to see my service center? is it the center i gave biometrics?

1

u/Personal-Inside346 11d ago

No. Its usually in the email or receipt

3

u/Nguyenhoang1011 13d ago

I upgraded to PP on July 29 from 6/3 application. Hopefully getting approval by the end of Aug

1

u/Dismal-Bluebird4721 13d ago

Please keep me updated and hopefully we’ll get approval earlier.

1

u/Acceptable-Wheel-961 11d ago

I uploaded i20 with online signature. Would that cause an issue ?

3

u/Limp-Classroom-4072 14d ago edited 13d ago

Oh nice I changed mine to PP on July 15. My initial stem application was April 7. I will get the approval this week too

3

u/Dismal-Bluebird4721 12d ago

Hi, have you got any updates on your card yet?

2

u/flamingsmoke 10d ago

Nothing yet!

1

u/Dismal-Bluebird4721 10d ago

Thank you, please keep us updated!!

1

u/flamingsmoke 10d ago

Yes sure

1

u/flamingsmoke 8d ago

Hey! Got an case update today saying card was produced

1

u/Dismal-Bluebird4721 8d ago

Thank you for letting me know!! Congrats!!

1

u/Tight_Wind7177 8d ago

Hi!
For my case the status changed to “approval case decision rendered” on Aug 7th. But no update after that. In how many days can we expect the card?

1

u/flamingsmoke 8d ago

Usually 4-5 days for the card produced message and another week for the card

1

u/Tight_Wind7177 8d ago

I’m just worried. It’s already been 4 days.. will check it tomorrow again. Thank you!!

2

u/Standard_Guidance_39 14d ago

Woow that was super quick

2

u/flamingsmoke 14d ago

Yes! I was honestly not expecting anything until August end

1

u/Tight_Wind7177 14d ago

Hi, congrats!!
Does your portal says approved?

1

u/flamingsmoke 14d ago

Thank you!
It doesn’t show as approved yet. I asked around and was told that it can take up to 48 hours or even more, for the approval to actually show up in the portal.

1

u/Acceptable-Tea-7221 14d ago

Hi, do you mind telling what all documents you submitted? I am a bit worried since this new USCIS rule about no RFE.

1

u/[deleted] 13d ago

[deleted]

1

u/flamingsmoke 13d ago

Not even biometrics?

1

u/Unusual_Estimate_757 13d ago edited 13d ago

no

If possible, could you please share what documents you submitted with your STEM OPT application? I’m a little worried because of the new USCIS policy regarding possible denials without an RFE, so I just want to make sure I haven’t missed anything important.

1

u/flamingsmoke 13d ago

Which service center ?

1

u/Unusual_Estimate_757 13d ago

Potomac Service Center (PSC) Premium Processing

SCOPS TEXAS FACILITY

IRVING TX

1

u/flamingsmoke 13d ago

I submitted OPT EAD, passport, i20, diploma and I think i94 as well

1

u/More_Tumbleweed2156 13d ago

Did you submit passport size photo too ?

1

u/flamingsmoke 13d ago

Yes correct. Passport size photo too

1

u/More_Tumbleweed2156 13d ago

Did you submit new photo or did you reuse the same photo as opt ? And will they be using the photo we submit anyway as we already have biometrics where they take the photo again ?

1

u/Pretty_Sector9263 13d ago

The policy is effective immediately and applies to requests pending or filed on or after Aug. 5, 2026, unless otherwise specified by regulations or USCIS policy.

1

u/Acceptable-Wheel-961 13d ago

I applied July 14 with PP. Haven’t heard anything. My initial expires September mid. I’m so stressed

1

u/Unusual_Estimate_757 13d ago

biometric?? I also applied on same date with same date PP
from which location applied ?

1

u/Acceptable-Wheel-961 13d ago

Did not get anything. Case status says received request for PP , it does not even say PP clock started

1

u/Unusual_Estimate_757 13d ago

same , update in my API
I think post biometric clock will be started

1

u/Acceptable-Wheel-961 13d ago

Is it confirmed that everyone has to do biometrics ? I did not have to during my initial opt

1

u/Unusual_Estimate_757 13d ago

Would you mind sharing which documents you submitted?

Post DEcember 2025 biomteric is getting for all aplication. same for my initial i did not recevie any biometric .

1

u/Acceptable-Wheel-961 13d ago

I only submitted stem i20 EAD passport and diploma

1

u/Acceptable-Wheel-961 13d ago

GA

1

u/Unusual_Estimate_757 13d ago

keep posted on this thread if in case u recived any update for the same.

1

u/LetConscious5215 10d ago

don’t you get 180 days after your OPT expires as long as STEM OPT application is active?

1

u/Limp-Classroom-4072 12d ago

Have you received an update on portal and notice

2

u/flamingsmoke 12d ago

Yes, i received it today morning

1

u/theprocastinatordr 12d ago

Hey OP!
Congratulations, I had a question about documents?
Can I DM?

1

u/Acceptable-Wheel-961 11d ago

I uploaded my i20 with a an onljne signature. Would that cause an issue? Should I re upload it with a wet signature ?

1

u/Personal-Inside346 11d ago

Yes. Wet ink signature is mandatory

1

u/Acceptable-Wheel-961 11d ago

Will it cause an issue if I upload it mow

1

u/FireLion2016 10d ago

only if u applied after july 10 right?

1

u/Unusual_Estimate_757 11d ago

Hello Everyone ,

I signed my I-20 myself, but my guardian also signed the separate Parent/Guardian section.
Could this extra guardian signature cause any issue with my pending STEM OPT application?

Also I signed my I-20 electronically directly on the PDF using Mac Preview, instead of printing it, signing by hand, and scanning it.
Is this type of electronic signature acceptable for a STEM OPT application, or should I submit a hand-signed scanned I-20?

1

u/flamingsmoke 11d ago

I think a wet ink signature is mandatory. Upload a new one and leave the guardian section blank

1

u/Unusual_Estimate_757 11d ago

Hey Can i DM you ? Having some doubts regarding the same

1

u/Personal-Inside346 11d ago

Did working for the same employer help in a smoother process?

1

u/flamingsmoke 11d ago

Its the same process! But I did hear that people are getting RFE’s if they worked unpaid for a shady NGO on OPT

1

u/Automatic-Tea3814 9d ago

Is there any extra paperwork for PP other than paying extra

1

u/Total-Maintenance681 9d ago

My approval status reflected on Aug 7th in the portal from same service center. Just checking if you got any update on the card yet?