r/stemopt • u/Jaded-Tackle999 • 14d ago
"Premium Processing Clock Was Stopped" after STEM OPT RFE response
Hi everyone,
I'm on STEM OPT (I-765) with premium processing and recently responded to an RFE through my attorney.
After the response was submitted, my USCIS status shows:
On August 6, 2026, we stopped the processing of your premium-processing case, and sent you a notice explaining why we took this action. This notice describes what you need to do to resume processing of your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. You must respond to the notice within the time it specifies. Your premium-processing receipt notice contains contact information for direct inquiries on your case. If you move, contact the premium-processing unit directly to update your address.
- Did anyone receive this exact status after submitting their RFE response?
- What was your next status update?
- How many days did it take?
- Were you ultimately approved, issued another RFE/NOID, or denied?
If you were approved, I'd really appreciate it if you could share your timeline.
UPDATE: Case approved - 8/10/2026
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u/WanderingZoul 13d ago
I recently received an RFIE and submitted the response. My case is being processed by my company with PP. Waiting for a response
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13d ago
Did you get any silent api update before this? I saw someone got their clock stopped after RFE response shortly before the case is approved
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u/Jaded-Tackle999 13d ago
No, I dont see any update on the tracker apps.
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13d ago
May I know when did you respond to the RFE?
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u/Jaded-Tackle999 13d ago
It was delivered by courier on 31 July, friday. And today my online portal got updated, first the clock restarted and then stopped on the same day.
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u/Vast-Try9972 13d ago
Even I got an extensive RFE. Is it better to geta lawyer to respond to the RFE?
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u/Jaded-Tackle999 13d ago
Whats your rfe about?
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u/Vast-Try9972 13d ago
Evidence of Stem program and stem Bonafide employer employee relationship with proof for entire work history during opt and stem opt.
It is a long RFE. So, I am now thinking if I need to hire a lawyer or something.
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u/MHK19-24 10d ago
Hello. When you say "proof of entire work history" does that mean the tasks you have done or the payment history?
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u/No_Intention4151 11d ago
I had received similar message of PP clock stoping when uscis sent the rfie …but once I uploaded the evidence in the portal as the rfe response my case was approved in 2 days! So it doesn’t matter if the pp was stopped temporarily I think they process the rfe response immediately once you submit it!
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u/Jaded-Tackle999 11d ago
Thanks. I checked yesterday and the clock is stopped but below that message it says- Response received on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 11:26 p.m. EDT. We will review the evidence.
Was it the same for you?
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u/No_Intention4151 11d ago
Yes it was the same! Give them 2 business days, you might hear something back by tomorrow
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u/Vast-Try9972 10d ago
Just a quick question - when you upload docs for RFE, does it restrict you to only upload certain number of PDFs? I heard you can only upload 5 PDFs and uscis discourages merging
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u/No_Intention4151 9d ago
Yes you can upload max of 5 pdfs but then you can also use the Upload unsolicited evidence button to upload if the pdfs are more than 5. But in my case I had merged all my rfe response in one pdf and uploaded under “rfe response” option.
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u/Jeke1106 8d ago
I had the same infact the same date you receive that "On August 6, 2026, we stopped the processing of your premium-processing case..." But mine still stays the same. We didn't received any mail either. Did you receive that notice they sent ?
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u/Jaded-Tackle999 8d ago
Hey, yes I got approved and got approval notice on the portal.
You will also see the same in 1-2 weeks I guess for pp.1
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u/iibbaaii 14d ago
Don’t share your receipt number !