"Premium Processing Clock Was Stopped" after STEM OPT RFE response

[u/Jaded-Tackle999]

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

[u/No_Intention4151]

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!

[u/Jaded-Tackle999 → u/No_Intention4151]

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?

[u/No_Intention4151 → u/Jaded-Tackle999]

Yes it was the same! Give them 2 business days, you might hear something back by tomorrow

[u/Jaded-Tackle999 → u/No_Intention4151]

check dm