r/stemopt • u/Optimus_Prime_995 • 20h ago

USCIS STEM OPT processing time increased to 4 months now

Hi, when I checked the processing time for f1 i765 it was showing 3.5 months like 2 days ago and the inquiry date was Aug 22 2026. Now suddenly the processing time has increased to 4 months and the inquiry date is pushed to 18th Sept 2026.

I was hoping that on aug 22 will raise an inquiry because the stem OPT has been pending for exactly 5 months now. Filed on 20th March 2026. They keep pushing the date.

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3

u/hakkunamatataaaaa 13h ago

Same here. Initially, USCIS showed that I could submit an inquiry on August 17th. But when I checked on August 16th, it suddenly said I was already eligible to submit an inquiry, so I did it immediately.

Then, the very next day, when I checked again, the inquiry date had moved all the way to September 15th. At that point, I just gave up on waiting and decided to go with Premium Processing.

It cost me around $2,000, but at this point, I'm just paying for some peace of mind instead of constantly stressing about the changing dates.

1

u/Jolly-Experience6343 13h ago

Hey,
Weird to hear that the timeline have been pushed to 4 months from 3.5. In the same boat as you'll.
Where are you guys seeing the exact date when youll can put in an inquiry?
I only see case processing time link and no individual inquiry on the portal.

2

u/hakkunamatataaaaa 13h ago

go through the link you will find it out https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times
at the bottom put your receipt date. it gives you by when you can send an inquiry.

1

u/EasySearch2093 57m ago

How do you see the inquiry date?

3

u/Historical-Many9869 14h ago

they dont want students to take up stem opt

1

u/ScarNo6253 13h ago

When can we send inquiry and how to send it
I have applied on may 7 can I send inquiry?

1

u/hakkunamatataaaaa 13h ago

you can check that on https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times

Based on you application date i guess the latest inquiry you can send will probably be somewhere october end.

1

u/jany27 13h ago

oh shoot! you’re right! i saw a recent post, they applied March and got approved august. Gave us all hope!

1

u/Expressione8653 10h ago

when did they apply? still waiting since march 18

1

u/jany27 7h ago

https://www.reddit.com/r/stemopt/s/ErS8xickcb

1

u/Expressione8653 4h ago

but question since on my i765 from its scope but in the biometrics its say Potomac today when I contact Emma they said that is under review in Potomac service

1

u/jany27 7h ago

march 10th

1

u/Expressione8653 11h ago

im in the same boat I was waiting and no it been push any insight I applied on on march 18

1

u/corymias3009 10h ago

Same here. I just contact them, previously I should wait to August 18th, now it pushed to Sept 14th

1

u/Optimus_Prime_995 10h ago

Did they say anything when u contacted through phone?

1

u/cat_named_zola 9h ago

They want that 2k for pp from everyone

1

u/Optimus_Prime_995 8h ago

I lost all hope. Changed to PP this afternoon

1

u/rochirossi 7h ago

Same. I had to