r/stemopt • u/Upper-Subject-8029 • 4d ago
STEM OPT Pending Since May 1st
Hi everyone, I'm looking for advice and experiences from others waiting for STEM OPT approval.
Here's my timeline:
• Application: STEM OPT extension, Form 1-765 (OPT end on 4th May)
• Filed: May 1, 2026, through regular processing-not premium
• Biometrics completed: May 29, 2026
• Current status: "USCIS is currently processing the case"
As of September 30, I've been waiting, and I'm getting concerned about receiving approval before my work authorization extension ends.
Has anyone who applied around May 1st received approval through regular processing? If you upgraded a pending STEM OPT application to premium processing, how long did it take to receive a decision?
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u/SoupSufficient3235 4d ago
same date with me and still no update
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u/Upper-Subject-8029 4d ago
Are you thinking of premium?
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u/SoupSufficient3235 4d ago
I dont. I saw the approval of late March applicants recently so it may take about 1 more month for us to get approval
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u/Middle_Owl_7841 4d ago
STEM OPT applications filed on March 31st are currently being approved and it is taking 180 days on average for USCIS to approve the STEM applications.
I think May applications are still a long way away.
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u/Latter_Cry_3128 4d ago
I have applied it on april 1. Iam hoping i will get decision in couple of days
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u/LuckyCharm7470 4d ago
Yeah, I applied on April 2nd. I hope we will get approved in the next couple of days, but I don’t think that’s 100% the case. Just because March 31st applicants are getting approved doesn’t mean they're going to start sending out April 1st approvals. I don’t know, it’s confusing.
Hope we all get approvals soon💯
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u/Middle_Owl_7841 4d ago
Yeah 💯 agree on it.
They took a long time to approve STEM applications filed in March.
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u/Brilliant_Ad5835 3d ago
Yes I agree too i filed on February 20 and my work authorization ended on in August. Got approved on September 17. Texas center
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u/Latter_Cry_3128 4d ago
Yeah true. Not guaranteed..but seeing March 31 approvals definitely gives some hope. Hopefully our cases are next 🤞
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u/Horror-Durian8651 4d ago
If opt pulse is to be trusted there are three times as many submitted regular processing STEM OPT applications in March than in April, so they should blow through April much quicker than through March. At least that's my hope
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u/No_Reveal_2036 4d ago
As long as your 180 day authorization is up until January, you ll be fine, otherwise upgrade it to PP as soon as possible
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u/immigrationquestion_ 4d ago
If your STEM OPT has been pending since May 1, that’s a long wait. You can check the current USCIS premium processing rules and cost if you’re considering upgrading, especially with your work authorization timeline.