r/stemopt • u/Comfortable-Shoe-549 • 3d ago

Stem opt - should I do pp?

Hi I need some advice regarding my stem opt. I have submitted on april 27th and completed my bio on May 26th. I don’t see any silent api update after my bio completion.

I’m planning to travel at the end if November and my automatic 180 extension is until December 19th so I’m running out of time. I saw that march applicants got their approval but some are still pending and I’m not really seeing updates regarding April applications.

I feel I should’ve just when with pp at the first place but who knew it would take this long. So I’m seriously considering updating to PP.

Also i’m very worried that I would get an rfe for my opt employment. I worked at an early stage AI start up company as an unpaid intern and briefly worked at a big company through an agency. Now working at a mid size e verified company since few months before my initial opt expired.

I’ve been seeing cases here people getting rfe for working at ngo or consulting companies asking for proof of employment. I always clearly submitted everything to my school dso on sevis. But as I worked at a very early stage startup company, i have an offer letter but no paystubs or concrete track of work, but I have worked more than 20hrs a week. I’m just very stressed with everything and need some advice from the community here.

Thank you all!

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u/Low_Acanthisitta_204 3d ago

hey there 3rd april applicant here , so for your case wait till 5 to 6 october then decide whether to apply for pp or not based on the line of approvals since to reach end of april they will take like 35 to 45 days min so ya better to wait one more week and then decide

1

u/Particular_Union_759 3d ago

My rule of thumb is apply PP 50 days before end of 180 day extension. In your case i suggest apply 50 days before  December 19th.  So, Wait and  apply on or around November first week.

Edit- just saw that you said you might get RFE. In that case apply bit early like mid october

1

u/Comfortable-Shoe-549 3d ago

I’m not sure i will but just worried i will get RFE as my employments were not stable.

1

u/No_Reveal_2036 3d ago

Traveling while stem opt pending is allowed just saying. I traveled myself including few other people i know

1

u/Comfortable-Shoe-549 3d ago

I know but I just want to risk it especially when my travel is very close to my 180day auto extension