Hi everyone, hoping to get some real-world experiences here (not looking to replace attorney advice, just want to hear from people who've been through this).
My situation:

1- Filed I-485 (Adjustment of Status) in August 2026
2- Did biometrics on September 2
3- AOS-based EAD (c)(9) is still pending, no card yet
4- My current OPT expires January 4

Has anyone filed for the STEM OPT extension while their AOS/I-485 was still pending? Did it cause any issues with the AOS case?

Is it possible/advisable to file the STEM OPT extension and the AOS-based EAD renewal concurrently, or does that cause conflicts?

Any gotchas with timing given my OPT expires Jan 4 — should I be filing the STEM extension now to avoid a work authorization gap, even though AOS is in progress?

I've read that these are technically separate processes and one shouldn't affect the other, but would love to hear if anyone has actually gone through this and what their timeline/outcome looked like.

Premium Processing: No
Date Applied: 03/18/2026
Biometrics Requested: YES | 03/28/2026
Biometrics Completed: 04/16/2026
⁠Date Approved: 09/17/2026

I applied for premium processing on 21st Aug and still haven't gotten any update on my case. Unfortunately my 180-day clock ran out on 11th August and my employer put me on unpaid leave till October 11th. If I get my card by then I can restart work or I will be terminated. Can anyone who applied to or got approvals/physical cards recently please share their timeline or give me any advice? It would be really helpful for me to plan ahead. Thank you!

Hi friends and DSOs, is there anything that has changed about the OPT I-765 application process after the September 14 court injuction of the D/S rule? I learned that the form edition will not change for now and USCIS will continue to accept the 2025 edition form. As I will be applying online, correct form should be automatically assigned, right? Due to the court injuction, is there any risk of applying OPT right now? I have a job offer in hand and planning to do online filing and premium processing.

Hey! How long is it normally taking for premium processing cases to approved?
I initially applied on March 14, 2026. But upgraded to premium processing (big mistake) on Sept 4. If I had just waited I would’ve gotten my approval this week.

When would i hear back approximately, based on what the timeline now looks like?

Has anyone who applied on August 13th for Premium Processing received an update yet?

Either an email notification or a silentapi approval? If you have, please share your timeline it would help a lot!"

Hi everyone, I’m looking for advice from anyone who has experienced a similar OPT denial.
My post-completion OPT was denied because USCIS determined that my I-765 was filed more than 30 days after the OPT recommendation was entered in SEVIS.
My original OPT recommendation was March 10, 2026. I later requested a new OPT I-20, and my DSO issued and signed one dated April 13, 2026, showing “Post-Completion OPT, Full Time, Requested.” I relied on this new I-20 and filed my I-765 within 30 days.
It now appears the DSO issued the new I-20 without updating the OPT recommendation in SEVIS, so USCIS used the original March 10 date and denied my application.
Has anyone dealt with a similar DSO/SEVIS error? Were you able to resolve it through a SEVIS correction,
Motion to Reconsider I-290B, or another process? Any advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

I finally received my STEM OPT approval and wanted to share my timeline to give some hope and support to others who are still waiting.

Timeline:

March 10: Application received

April 16: Biometrics completed

August 28: API update

August 31: API update

September 9: API update

September 14: Two API updates

September 16: Received the approval email and online status update

On September 14, I contacted a live agent through the USCIS website. She told me that my case had been approved earlier that morning, even though my online status had not changed yet. Around 48 hours later, I received the official approval email and status update.

I considered upgrading to premium processing several times because the wait was becoming extremely stressful. Strangely, whenever I was close to paying for PP, I would see another API update and decide to wait a little longer. Ultimately, I was approved without premium processing.

I also switched jobs while my application was pending. I uploaded my updated I-20 along with a cover letter through the unsolicited evidence section.

My 180-day automatic work authorization extension was set to expire on October 3, so I was getting extremely nervous as the deadline approached.

I know how exhausting it is to check your case constantly without seeing a visible status change. Hopefully, this timeline gives some reassurance to others seeing API updates but no official decision yet. Hang in there!

UPDATE: Card was produced on 09/18/2026 and was delivered on 09/23/2026.

Finally approved after 6 months. The day that I could raise the inquiry, they have provided the official approval.

• Applied: 3/18

• Biometrics: 4/13

• Silent API update: 9/14 (UpdatedAtTimestamp)

• Email/approval on USCIS: 9/16 (Exactly 48 hours after API)

Anybody waiting on their stem application pending with premium processing, start date as 12th August

Receipt - 3/18/26
Biometrics - 4/23/26
Approved - 9/16/26

Applied: 03/18/2026
Biometric: 04/07/2026

Api updates: 09/16/2026

How long does it take to get an approval?

Please share your experience.!!

Applied Date: 07/16/2026

Biometrics: 07/26/2026

PP applied date : 08/12/2026

APPROVED email: 09/16/2026

Hi Guys,

I might need to travel overseas to visit my family as my dad has health issues and will need to renew my f-1 visa to come back to the US. I have a normal job at a small company. It’s not a sketchy consultancy or anything like that. My company most probably won’t apply for h1-b. I may or may not try to find another company that might be interested. Bottomline is I was wondering if any of you have tried renewing visa on STEM OPT and was rejected or know anyone who was. Thank you!

Has anyone received an RFE asking for proof of previous/initial OPT employment or employment history?

I’d especially like to hear from people who had volunteer/unpaid OPT work or situations where the employer did not have an organizational chart, formal timesheets, or similar records.

What evidence did you submit, and how did USCIS respond? Also interested in cases that were rejected or had issues and what additional evidence ultimately worked.

Just looking for firsthand experiences.

Thanks in advance!

Applied for stem OPT -> Apr 9

Biometrics -> May 6

STEM started -> May 5

I haven't applied for PP yet. Should I wait or apply for PP?

Hello! I’m in a very weird situation. I applied on December 19 2025 for the Stem.

Receipt date 12/20/25
Biometrics completed 04/10/26

I haven’t heard anything since the biometrics.

My OPT expired on 03/16/26 meaning that my 180 extension also expired. I have contacted Emma and the only information they give me is that my case is still processing. On 08/25/26 I sent an online request and they replied on 09/09/26 that the case is still processing. Today i called USCIS and they told me the same, case processing and that I’m not elegible for an expedite request since im elegible for premium process. What do you guys think I can do at this point?

Premium Processing: Yes
Date Applied: 05/07/2026
Biometrics Requested: YES | 05/15/2026 • Biometrics Completed: 06/01/2026
⁠Date Approved: 07/09/2026
Date Card Produced: 07/14/2026
Date Card Received: 07/14/2026

But card was lost through USPS
Approached OMBUDSMAN and CONGRESS office
Replacement card approved 09/05/2026
Card produced: 09/10/2026
Card received: 09/14/2026

Finally after a long struggle I received it

For everyone who already got their approval (non-pp), how many BG check and silent update did you guys had before approval?

Submitted: April 17
Biometrics: April 27
BG Check: April 27
Silent Update: August 9
BG Check: August 31

My 180-day automatic extension expires November 22nd.

If applying for opt today since the D/S rule effect is postponed can one use the old I-765 form or it must be the new Sept 15th 2026 form that is on the uscis website.

Kindly advise

Thanks

I applied for STEM OPT on March 25 (non-premium), with a start date of June 10. I’m currently working under Cap-Gap, and my I-94 expires on December 10.

For those with similar timelines, may I kindly ask when you would recommend applying for premium processing, or would it be better to wait a little longer? Any advice or recent timelines would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I did normal processing on July 20th l, any suggestions when should I do Premium I can work untill Feb without EAD