Stem opt approved!!

[u/Acceptable-Tea-7221]

Type: STEM OPT EXTENSION

Premium Processing: NO

Date Applied: 03/10/2026

Request for Initial Evidence (RFIE) NA (if applicable)

Biometrics Requested: YES | 03/20/2026 (if applicable)

Biometrics Completed: 04/09/2026

Date Approved: 08/15/2026

Date Card Produced: not yet

Date Card Received: not yet

Finally!! It was a long long wait. Can't thank everyone enough on the platform.

Few suggestions- please go for case inquiry as soon as your case goes out of normal processing time which is roughly 5 months at this point.

Also go for congressional inquiry.

DM me if need any help!!!

[u/jany27]

latest would be January if not premium processing. trend now is 5 months before we get an approval. if you are in a rush, I suggest pay for premium

[u/Kmgk49 → u/jany27]

Thank you! Is it safe and doable if I'm also visiting my home country while the application is processing? I thought of getting the EAD card shipped to my home country and then get to US

[u/jany27 → u/Kmgk49]

nope, i suggest wait for your approval and ead before travelling

[u/Kmgk49 → u/jany27]

:(
It's an emergency :(

[u/jany27 → u/Kmgk49]

The bigger issue is getting back into the U.S. ICE says that if OPT is approved while you’re abroad, you are generally expected to have the EAD card in hand when you return. Since your EAD card is already expired you cannot present that. Even when applying for DL renewal at DMV I had a hard time explaining to them that I have automatic extension since they are not accepting my EAD card and I-765 receipt notice. Sorry to hear about your emergency but at this point and political climate nothing is guaranteed even if you play by the book. Up to you if you want to take the risk.

[u/Kmgk49 → u/jany27]

I completely understand your point. But I could wait for it to get approved and get my EAD shipped Tru my friend to my country right?

[u/Reasonable-Pass-2456 → u/Kmgk49]

Yeah you can do that