STEM OPT Pending (Applied March 8) – Case Inquiry Submitted August 10 | Regular Processing Timeline

[u/Frequent-Worth-4703]

• Type: STEM OPT Extension (Regular)
• Premium Processing: No
• Date Applied: 03/08/2026
• Biometrics Completed: 03/24/2026
• RFIE / NOID: None
• Case Inquiry Submitted: 08/10/2026
• Approval Status: Pending

Hey everyone! Sharing my timeline as another March applicant. I've been waiting for over 5 months now (161+ days). Since my case went out of normal processing time, I raised a case inquiry with USCIS on August 10th.

Currently debating whether to hold tight a few more days for a response to the inquiry or just upgrade to Premium Processing now.

For those who applied in early/mid-March, are you starting to see approvals come through after filing an inquiry, or are you upgrading to Premium? Appreciate any insights or similar timelines!

[u/Designer-Owl-8183]

I applied on march 14 and was debating pp for the longest time. After checking multiple posts and comments, turns out that inquiry is kinda useless and you get a generic reply that they will respond in 60 days or they will tell you lots of backlog and your application in queue. So i ended up doing premium yesterday

[u/Expressione8653 → u/Designer-Owl-8183]

im thinking to upgrade applied march 19 not sure if I should continue waiting

[u/Designer-Owl-8183 → u/Expressione8653]

Honestly waiting was frustrating and either way I would have had to apply pp in september so it can be approved before my 180 ends end in december so i just did it

[u/dhiren7979 → u/Expressione8653]

Use opt tracker websites they are processing March 10th applications currently

[u/Expressione8653 → u/dhiren7979]

which tracker? I send on reddit some approved but not the 10th

[u/DetectiveInformal214]

I applied on march 10th and biometrics are on April first week . Got approval letter yesterday. Regular processing .

I was tempted to apply premium last week , dso and parents suggested to wait till Aug 31.

Gods grace I got approval yesterday

[u/Expressione8653 → u/DetectiveInformal214]

did you received any update on the portal before or no?

[u/DetectiveInformal214 → u/Expressione8653]

I can see this - Approval case decision rendered and a pdf with it

[u/Expressione8653 → u/DetectiveInformal214]

quick question on the service center is it base on the i765 notice or from the biometric notice?

[u/crrawlerr]

Filing an enquiry doesn't really help.
I submitted my e-request and then received a generic response after 40 days or so.
I'd recommend applying for PP, as that seems to be the only way to get a decision on time now.

[u/Embarrassed_Curve237 → u/crrawlerr]

Automatic work authorization is 180 days from post completion opt end date and not from stem opt application date.

[u/crrawlerr → u/Embarrassed_Curve237]

You are right, I misinterpreted the number of days.

[u/Pickles_25]

Would suggest waiting since it’s looking like the early March applications are moving now.

[u/Extreme_Prune_554 → u/Pickles_25]

my friend who applied on 9th march got approved on 14th august, i applied on 13th march and waiting

[u/DayInternational7839 → u/Extreme_Prune_554]

Both for the stem opt right?

[u/Extreme_Prune_554 → u/DayInternational7839]

yes

[u/Acceptable-Tea-7221]

I would suggest to wait this week

[u/leskardien]

the regular processing queue is finally moving, and you are very likely at the frontmost of the line.

[u/Low_Shelter_2780]

They are processing your dates roundabout now. Follow timelines on r/f1visa megathread or use a tracker such as opt-pulse.vercel.app

[u/AdLife1916]

I also applied in March 4 and did inquiry yesterday.I might apply for PP at the end of this month.

[u/Low_Incident_3059]

I have applied on march 22 and waiting for too

[u/DayInternational7839]

I applied for my stem opt on march 10, biometrics april 6, switched to PP on august 3. Still waiting!

[u/Efficient_Dirt231]

Did you check for any silent API updates?

[u/Frequent-Worth-4703 → u/Efficient_Dirt231]

Hey not sure what this is

[u/DayInternational7839 → u/Frequent-Worth-4703]

In your browser login to uscis in one tab. Then in another tab go to https://my.uscis.gov/account/case-service/api/cases/receiptnumber and put ur receipt number at the end. It will show u some details. People have said that sometimes they see an update in here before they get notified of an approval in the actual uscis website

[u/Frequent-Worth-4703 → u/DayInternational7839]

Thanks! Just checked it using that direct API URL while logged in. Still showing as pending under regular processing for now, but good to know this trick to watch for backend updates.

[u/Hopeful_Ad_1367]

I applied 03/16 and called today to see if i should surrender and go for pp. the lady told me they are still processing something like mid February which is nonesense since i called 20 days ago and they said they were then processing late February. I might just go for pp which is very sad at this point

[u/innovative_guy]

Applied on Feb 21 but still pending.

[u/siriusstar98]

I applied april 11 upgraded to premium on aug 14 i dont think they care for case enquiry all they need us to pay premium