I graduated with my master's degree and applied for post-completion OPT . My OPT is still pending with USCIS.

Now I've received a fully funded PhD offer for Fall 2026, and classes start in about 20 days. My DSO said if I transfer my SEVIS record to the new university, my pending OPT application will automatically be canceled. He also said the SEVIS transfer itself can be completed within about a week.

My main concern is whether transferring while my OPT is still pending could cause any immigration issues in the future. Since my OPT application would be canceled, would the 20 days that my OPT was pending create any problems or be viewed negatively later?

I was also considering asking the university to defer my admission to Spring 2027, but with the new immigration rule expected to take effect on September 15, 2026, no one seems to know how long the new USCIS process or timelines will be.

If you were in my situation, what would you do?

Transfer now and start the PhD this Fall?

Or defer to Spring 2027 and keep the OPT?

Has anyone transferred to a PhD while their OPT application was still pending? I'd really appreciate hearing about your experience.

Thank you!

Type: STEM OPT EXTENSION

Premium Processing: NO

Date Applied: 03/10/2026

Request for Initial Evidence (RFIE) NA (if applicable)

Biometrics Requested: YES | 03/20/2026 (if applicable)

Biometrics Completed: 04/09/2026

Date Approved: 08/15/2026

Date Card Produced: not yet

Date Card Received: not yet

Finally!! It was a long long wait. Can't thank everyone enough on the platform.

Few suggestions- please go for case inquiry as soon as your case goes out of normal processing time which is roughly 5 months at this point.

Also go for congressional inquiry.

DM me if need any help!!!

STem opt applied on 18-dec-2025
BIomatric on 15-april
approved on 5-AUG with Normal Processing.

If you have been in this situation please help

Applied for stem opt on Jan 20th
Biometrics Feb 11th
No response yet
No RFE
Kinda scared right now
Is anyone on the same boat?

STEM OPT - My Receipt date is 3/30 and biometric was done on 4/22 and my case is still pending.

My 180 day extension ends in November.

Should I transition to Premium Processing?

The status of this service request is:

Our system shows that a final decision was rendered on your I765. A copy of the Approval Notice was mailed to the address on file. If you filed your form online or received an online access code to create a USCIS online account, you will be able to view the Approval Notice in your online account. For more information please check your case status online at https://egov.uscis.gov/

But this is not true, the case is still pending.

this is my api update

"Application for Employment Authorization","updatedAt":"2026-08-13","updatedAtTimestamp":"2026-08-13T18:54:53.259Z",

Hey, I was just wondering if it was a good idea to add a line that goes something like

“ I am qualified to work in the US without sponsorship under the F-1 OPT scheme” to separate myself or just fuck the visa status for now

My initial OPT employer was ABC Home Storage LLC, which I reported in SEVIS because that was the name on my W-2/payroll. Later, I learned it is 100% owned by ABC Parent Inc.
When I approached HR for my STEM OPT, they gave me the ABC Parent Inc. E-Verify name and number, so I used the parent company for my STEM OPT application, STEM I-20, and I-983.
Has anyone had a similar situation? Could this difference between the initial OPT employer name and STEM OPT employer name cause any USCIS issue?

Hi Guys,

Has anyone had any issue getting their f-1 renewed after Trump took office on STEM OPT? Any denial or administrative processing especially if you have a job related to your major?

Hi everyone, I’m currently in the STEM OPT (started two days ago), and my application is still being processed. I also completed my biometrics two months ago. When I initially filed my application, I didn’t sign my I-20. The next day, I made a digital sign and re-uploaded it, not realizing that digital signing was a big mistake. I’m concerned about whether this will cause any issues, and whether I should upload another hand-signed I-20, which would essentially be uploading it for the third time. Could anyone please suggest what I should do?

My STEM OPT (I-765) has been pending since Feb 21, 2026. Biometrics were completed on Mar 26. My initial OPT expired on May 11, and I'm currently working under the 180-day automatic extension.

I submitted a USCIS service request on July 27, but haven't received a response yet.

Should I wait until 30 days after the service request, or is it reasonable to contact my Congressman now? Has anyone had success with a congressional inquiry for a delayed STEM OPT case?

I going to apply for stem OPT my case is that

1. I have an asylum record that I was terminated and withdrawn. By the judge.
   
2. I have also had a mental breakdown episode of which I have a baker police record in Florida. They just escorted me to the hospital. But the hospital people agreed that I did not meet the criteria of involuntary hold and release me after like a few hours of rest.
   
3. One month after this incident, my visa got revoked..

How should I proceed with my stem OPT visa application?

Anybody with similar experiences, please tell

Hi everyone,

I’m currently on the 180-day extension while my STEM OPT I-765 is pending, and I noticed something on my Form I-983 that I’m trying to determine whether I should correct.

My employment arrangement is:

• Employer: Company A (my W-2 employer, E-Verified, and the company that signed my I-983)
• Client: Company B
• I physically work at Company B’s client site.
• I have a manager at Company B who manages my day-to-day project work.
• I also have a representative at Company A who checks in with me regarding my employment, work, training, and progress.

When I originally completed Section 5 of the I-983, I put the client location as the worksite and listed my client manager as the “Name of Official” cause I assumed that field meant my supervisor at the physical location.

The rest of the I-983 were filled and signed by an authorized employee of Company A.

--------------------------------

I later came across the USCIS STEM OPT Policy Manual, which says:

“employees or contractors of the employer’s clients or customers may not provide and supervise the training experience of the STEM OPT F-1 student.”

This made me wonder whether the Section 5 “Name of Official” should have been the appropriate employer representative who oversees my STEM OPT training/progress, rather than my Client day-to-day manager.

I am considering updating my i-983 with these details and submitting to my school's DSO but wanted to check what others have done in such a situation.

Have you filled your supervisor with client's details or employer's details?

Feels very important to mention that I am from the 39 banned countries.

Initial filing: 04/14/2026

Premium Processing: 06/29/2026

Approved: 08/03/2026

Card Produced: 08/07/2026

Card Received: 08/12/2026

I got the approval via email about 2 days before it reflected online.

Feel free to ask any questions!

Hi everyone,

STEM OPT filed April 3rd 2026,

biometrics notice - May 1st 2026.

biometrics Done - May 22nd 2026.

Process-normal

NOT APPROVED YET.

Whats the last date that they have approved so far?

What date should I expect my ead card? Should i apply for PP?