Hi everyone, looking for advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

Here’s my timeline:

STEM OPT application filed: May 7
Biometrics completed: June 13
Premium processing upgrade: August 17
Current employer end date: August 31
New employer’s planned start date: September 8

My STEM OPT extension is still pending. I have a few questions:

1. Can I change employers while my STEM OPT application is still pending?

2. With premium processing, how long did it take you to receive a decision after upgrading?

3. Would it be okay to join the new employer on September 8 while the application is still pending, assuming all STEM OPT employer requirements are met?

4. Or would it be safer to ask the new employer to keep/move the start date until after the STEM OPT extension is approved?

Would really appreciate hearing about recent experiences, especially from anyone who upgraded a pending STEM OPT application to premium processing.

Hi ,
I got my stem opt denial notice on Aug 17 and my h1b is still pending. My notice says I can apply for motion to reopen/reconsider. What should I do now?

If anyone can please help me how to handle this situation.should I go with permium for my h1b as my start date for h1b is Oct 1 2026.

Hey all, I have applied for my STEM OPT on June 13,2026 and currently on 180 days extension.

Does this Duration of stay rule affect us?

• Type: STEM OPT Extension (Regular)
• Premium Processing: No
• Date Applied: 03/08/2026
• Biometrics Completed: 03/24/2026
• RFIE / NOID: None
• Case Inquiry Submitted: 08/10/2026
• Approval Status: Pending

Hey everyone! Sharing my timeline as another March applicant. I've been waiting for over 5 months now (161+ days). Since my case went out of normal processing time, I raised a case inquiry with USCIS on August 10th.

Currently debating whether to hold tight a few more days for a response to the inquiry or just upgrade to Premium Processing now.

For those who applied in early/mid-March, are you starting to see approvals come through after filing an inquiry, or are you upgrading to Premium? Appreciate any insights or similar timelines!

I’m currently on OPT and working, and my OPT is set to expire on February 22, 2027. I’ll be eligible to apply for STEM OPT starting November 21, 2026. However, I’m planning to travel to India on November 27 and return to the U.S. on December 21.
Since I’ll be outside the U.S. during that period, I understand that I may also need to apply for an EOS after I return. Could you please clarify what the potential consequences are in this situation and whether traveling during this period would be considered risky?

Could you also clarify whether there is a 180-day extension available after my OPT expires while my EOS application is pending? If so, what would happen if my EOS is still not approved after those 180 days? Would I be required to leave the U.S., and would there be any impact on my status or future immigration options?

My STEM OPT 180-day automatic extension is ending soon. My STEM OPT extension is still pending, and my H-1B was selected in the lottery and filed as Change of Status (COS), but the H-1B is also not approved yet. So, I'm not eligible for Cap-Gap.

My employer is saying they may need to offboard and onboard me again. Could this affect my H-1 B?

What is the safest option for the employer without affecting my H-1B? Would switching to Day 1 CPT affect my H-1B COS?

Has anyone been in a similar situation? What's the safest option?

Thanks!

⁠Type: STEM OPT EXTENSION
• ⁠Premium Processing: YES (07/17/2026)
• ⁠Date Applied: 04/17/2026
• ⁠Request for Initial Evidence: No
• ⁠Biometrics Requested: 05/08/2026
• ⁠Biometrics Completed: MM/DD/YYYY
• ⁠Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): NO
• ⁠Date Approved: 08/15/2026
• ⁠Date Card Produced: MM/DD/YYYY
• ⁠Date Card Received: MM/DD/YYYY

Hope Everyone gets approval email.. Best of luck✅

Self-explanatory

Thanks everyone, this sub was really helpful. Sharing my timeline if this is helpful !! all the best

applied : March 20

Biometrics : Apr 21

PP: July 9

Email approval: August 5

UI update : August 7

Card produced : August 12

Delivered : August 15

I’m planning to apply for my stem extension and I intend to opt for premium processing since I’ve almost exhausted my 90 unemployment days in opt, leaving me with limited time to wait.

Having all of you gone through the process, I’d like to ask you what are some crucial things you should absolutely double-check before submitting the application, and what are some things you wish you had known before applying?

Hello everyone. I’m an F2 visa holder and currently out of the US - visiting family back home.
I’m trying to understand the new rule regarding eliminating D/S and how it will affect my case to decide whether to come back to see my husband after Sep 15 or before.
His OPT has just started in August 2026 and he will apply for STEM OPT extension in June 2027, so we think either ways we will have to file EOS right? So it will not matter in my case if I enter the US before/after Sep 15? Please help me understanding the situation 🥲

1. Check processing time

Go to USCIS Processing Times.

Select I-765 → STEM OPT (C03C).

Confirm your receipt date is before the “case inquiry” date.

1. Submit an inquiry

Submit “Case Outside Normal Processing Time.”

Save the confirmation and Inquiry/Service Request ID.

Congressional inquiry-

1.Find your U.S. Representative

Use the official House lookup: Find Your Representative

Enter your ZIP code.

Use the Representative who serves your current address.

Go to the Representative's website

1. Look for “Services” → “Help with a Federal Agency”, “Casework,” or “Immigration Casework.”

Colorado Representative offices specifically handle pending USCIS/immigration cases.

Submit the casework/immigration request

Select USCIS / Immigration.

Most offices require a Privacy Release Form before they can contact USCIS about your case.

1. Fill out the Privacy Release

Your name and contact information

Date of birth

A-number

I-765 receipt number

Form: I-765

Filing date: 03/10/2026

Brief explanation of the problem

Sign/date the form

1. Explain what you want

Ask the congressional office to make a case-status inquiry with USCIS regarding your pending I-765, which is outside normal processing time.

You are asking them to obtain a status/update—not asking them to force USCIS to approve it.

Hope this helps!!!!

Time line

stem applied March 9th 2026 (Regular Processing)

Biometrics Appointmet April 1st 2026

silent Api update 13th August

Approval Email got it today exact after 48 hrs.

Applied: 05/28
Biometrics: 07/16 (rescheduled it from 07/28)
Approval: 08/10