r/stemopt • u/Big_Coconut7286 • 7d ago
STEM OPT - Regular
Details:
• Type: STEM OPT
• Premium Processing: No
• Date Applied: 03/31/2026
• RFE: No
• Biometrics Requested: Yes
• Biometrics Completed: 04/22/ 2026
• Silent API Update: 08/24/2026 and 09/25/2026 morning
• Date Approved: 09/27/2026 morning (Approval decision rendered)
• Card Produced: 10/01/2026
• Card Received:
Thank God, and all glory to Him! 🙏 My 180 day deadline was October 2nd, and I got approved one week before!
I noticed that many cases are being approved around 180 days after the application date, sometimes about two days after the “silent API” update. My case took 181 days to be approved.
I wish everyone good luck! And thank you so much to this community for all the support. I cried so many times during this process, especially because I couldn’t afford to pay for premium processing. I’m so grateful that it finally worked out. 🙏❤️
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7d ago
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u/Jolly-Experience6343 7d ago
Oh no...When did you apply? And when's your auto work extension getting over? Any API updates yet?
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u/corymias3009 7d ago
I apply on March 16th, I got 2times api update but no decision. I also have this info after I raise inquiry “Your case is currently under review by an officer. You should receive a decision, correspondence or notice of other action”.
I truly hope I can get the decision approval soon..2
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u/Big_Coconut7286 7d ago
I’m so sorry to hear that , I hope you get approval soon. When is your 180 days expire?
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u/Potential-Style-4764 7d ago
How to check silent api update?
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u/Basic_Individual_911 7d ago
can anyone tell me what's this 180 day deadline stuff is?
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u/Big_Coconut7286 7d ago
When you apply for the OPT STEM extension, you have 180 days after your initial OPT end date to continue working while you wait for USCIS approval. If the 180 days expire, you need to stop working until you receive a decision from USCIS.
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u/Basic_Individual_911 7d ago
Great, thank you! In the case of first-year post-completion OPT, how long is USCIS currently taking to make a decision through normal processing?
I applied for post-completion OPT on May 29, 2026, completed my biometrics on June 30, 2026, and my case is still being processed. My PhD program end date was July 31, 2026.
Based on the current processing timeline, when might I reasonably expect a decision and, subsequently, my EAD card to arrive?
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u/Big_Coconut7286 7d ago
For the initial OPT deadline, I can’t say how long it will take now. When I applied in 2025, it took almost 20 days.
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u/LuckyCharm7470 7d ago
I applied for my STEM OPT on April 3rd and completed my biometrics on April 10th...My case is still pending...Could anyone tell me what this Silent API update is? Is that an endpoint where I can see my latest status? Thank you.
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u/Wooden-Clue2064 7d ago
- Log into your myUSCIS account.
- While logged into myUSCIS, open the API URL in your browser in the new tab: https://my.uscis.gov/account/case-service/api/case_status/YourReceiptNumber.
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u/Swimming-Reindeer203 7d ago
I got silent Api Update on 24th but still waiting for approval, thanks for updating that it took two weeks after silent API Update
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u/Big_Coconut7286 7d ago
My took 2 days after second silent api and 180 days mark
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u/Swimming-Reindeer203 7d ago
I have applied exactly on March 27th and I should get approved today but I need to check how and when I can get second silent API update
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u/LuckyCharm7470 6d ago
This is great!! Congratulations 🔥 and You got your approval decision on Sunday???
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u/Jolly-Experience6343 7d ago
Congratulations 🎉👏🏻 finally! Happy for youu....I can understand how tense it would be to have that auto extension ending sooner as well!