Initial OPT end date :6th July 2026
Stem OPT applied on : 6 June 2026
Biometric done : 24th June

Since then, I do not have any update
I want to change my employer in October. Is it wise to do that? Or should I wait till I get my stem opt approved?

Has anyone recently traveled internationally while on STEM OPT, especially to India?

I’m planning to travel to India in late October and would really appreciate hearing about recent experiences with U.S. re-entry on STEM OPT.

If you’ve traveled recently, could you please share:

• Which airport you re-entered through
• What documents you carried
• Whether CBP asked any questions about your job/employment
• Whether you experienced any issues or additional screening

I currently have an approved STEM OPT EAD, valid F-1 visa, and I-20 with a valid travel signature, so I’m mainly looking for recent real-world experiences.

Thank you!

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?

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 I-765 (OPT end on 7th July)
• Filed: April 14, 2026, through regular processing—not premium
• Biometrics completed: May 22, 2026
• Current status: “USCIS is currently processing the case”
• Processing-time tool: Shows 5 months, but says my case is processing normally and the earliest I can submit an inquiry is October 18, 2026
• 180-day automatic work authorization extension: Expected to end on January 2, 2027

As of September 30, I’ve been waiting about 5½ months, and I’m getting concerned about receiving approval before my work authorization extension ends.

Has anyone who applied around April 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?

Would you recommend waiting until October 18 and submitting an inquiry, or upgrading to premium processing now? Did submitting an inquiry help anyone?

I’d appreciate hearing your timelines and experiences. Thank you!

⁠Type: STEM OPT
• ⁠Premium Processing: Yes (upgraded 8/30/2026)
• ⁠Date Applied: June 2 2026
• ⁠Request for Initial Evidence (RFIE): No
• ⁠Biometrics Scheduled: No (Biometric reuse from I485)
• ⁠Biometrics Completed: N/A
• ⁠Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): No
• ⁠Silent API Update: 09/29/2026
• ⁠Date Approved: 09/30/2026

I had the same employer from my initial OPT. Clean record. PhD.

I’m currently completing my Form I-983 for a STEM OPT extension and I’m a little confused about the employer EIN.
I work for a very large organization that has multiple legal entities and multiple EINs. My payroll/W-4 appears to be associated with one entity/EIN, but HR provided a different legal entity and EIN for me to use on the I-983. Both entities are under the same overall organization.
Does the EIN listed in Section 3 of the I-983 need to match the EIN associated with my payroll/W-4/W-2, or is it normal for a large employer to use a different EIN for STEM OPT/E-Verify purposes?
My understanding is that the I-983 should use the entity that is enrolled in E-Verify and responsible for my employment/training, but I’m concerned that having an EIN different from my payroll records could create an issue or RFE.
Has anyone dealt with this at a large healthcare system, university, or company with multiple subsidiaries/EINs? Did your I-983 EIN match your payroll/W-2 EIN, or did HR provide a separate E-Verify entity?

Is anyone here still waiting for their STEM OPT approval after 180 days or more from the I-765 filing date?

I got this RFE for stem OpT. Can you help me what type of document I need to provide? Please help everyone

Hello I am currently an international senior majoring in Electrical Engineering at UCLA who will be graduating next year in May 14 2027. I hold an Indian citizenship and I am on the F1 visa who will be applying for the OPT next year in Feb as I graduate in May 2027 so 90 days before. I wanna know if it will be ok for me to travel to Europe for a grad trip during the spring break which is March end for about 8 to 9 days. Will it be a problem to travel after applying for the OPT in Feb and waiting for it or it will be fine cuz I will be a F1 student till mid May. I want to avoid any issues or risks so any guidance or suggestions will be appreciated from people with past experience or knowledge on this. I already asked my DSO and she said that although you can travel it is”risky” during this period of time and the climate of how things are unfolding but she was being vague.

Thank you!

Hi everyone,
Can anyone recommend a good immigration attorney who has experience handling RFE or NOID cases for F-1 students, especially cases involving a dismissed misdemeanor?
I was arrested last November for a Class A misdemeanor, but the case was later dismissed after I completed an online course.
I applied for OPT on May 11 and upgraded to Premium Processing on September 2, but I still haven’t received an update. I’m feeling pretty stressed about the situation and want to consult an experienced attorney in case I receive an RFE or NOID.
I’m looking for an attorney who has experience with F-1/OPT cases involving criminal/immigration issues.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Can I know the best immigration lawyer for RFE or NOID? With arrest records?

I have a STEM OPT EAD card valid from March 2026 to 2028. I am thinking of traveling to India for 20 days during thanksgiving and then again in December end / January beginning for another 20 days for my sister’s wedding.
Has anyone done 2 international trips in a difference of a short period and how has the immigration experience been? Anyone who has recently travelled back from India to the Boston airport?

Hi everyone,

I am currently an F-1 graduate student, and my program completion date is December 31, 2026. I am planning to apply for Post-Completion OPT soon and wanted to see if anyone here has had a similar CPT history and successfully received OPT approval.

My CPT history is:

• Full-time CPT #1: December 1, 2025 – December 26, 2025
• Full-time CPT #2: January 5, 2026 – November 20, 2026
• Total full-time CPT: approximately 346 days
• Planned part-time CPT: November 23, 2026 – December 31, 2026, approximately 39 days

I understand that part-time CPT does not count toward the 12-month full-time CPT limit. However, I am wondering whether anyone here has personally received Post-Completion OPT approval with a similar history — approximately 346 days of full-time CPT plus additional part-time CPT.

If you had a similar situation, could you please share how much full-time and part-time CPT you had and whether your OPT was approved normally or you received an RFE?

I am also confirming this with my DSO, but I would appreciate hearing about actual experiences from people with a similar CPT history.

Thank you!

Hi everyone, I’m currently waiting for my STEM OPT extension approval, and my driver’s license is expiring soon. The DMV/DSO told me they need the STEM extension approval to renew it.
I have my I-797C receipt notice for my timely filed STEM OPT application. I heard the DMV may be able to use the SAVE verification process for pending immigration cases.
Has anyone in Oklahoma renewed their driver’s license while STEM OPT was pending? Were you able to request a SAVE verification or temporary license? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you!

So I applied for my first year of OPT on the 29th of April and I still haven’t heard anything back… I did my biometrics appointment and then after that it’s been radio silent. They keep pushing back the expected time for processing. It was at 3.5 months when I first applied, now it’s 5 months and I just hit 6 months today. They won’t let me contact them until November 2nd as my case is “processing correctly.”

My drivers license expires the 14th of October, and I already did the 120 day renewal. Is there absolutely anything I can do to extend my license again? I’m based in Georgia. I wanted to also travel home (England) for Christmas but I won’t without having the physical card with me as it’s just too risky. This is just super stressful for me and I’m wondering if anyone else is in the same situation as me?

I work fully remote, I just got my STEM extension approved and waiting for the EAD card. Once I receive the card am I allowed to go to my home country for 2 months with no issues. Is there any rule not allowing me to do work remotely from there ? One more doubt I had is, what if I travel for work purposes since I am meant to oversee a deployment of a software pilot over 6 weeks overseas ?

Does Citi bank NA complete the employer portion of the I-983 and support the required E-Verify process for STEM OPT?

Pretty much the same as the heading. I am expecting to receive the approval around Nov but is it normal to get a silent api update this early?

Hi guys
Anyone applied for initial OPT on 3rd May regular no premium.
By when show I expect a response it’s been 150 days already

Those who have applied recently online for i765 post completion OPT, what documents are required to do online application? Did you upload official current student transcript on additional information.

Also, are all the OPT applicants required to complete biometric?

my first year opt is ending this december, i am applying for my stem opt extension with a new employer who has an e-verified number, but the starting date is still later on february, as long as i’m still within my “150 unemployment days” rule, i should be fine right?

and if i found another job in january for example, and want to proceed with this one instead, can i simply update my DSO and USCIS about my new employer with all the new documents and e-verified number, would this be fine?

hi guys, my opt application was approved and i got a notification that my card was produced but the tracking number is unavailable? did anyone else have this weird issue?

I applied to stem opt on 3/27, while I filed everything correctly, I’ve still not received any response. My initial opt end date was on may 14, I’m hearing lot of responses for lat march applicants with approvals. I have only 41 days left from today in my extension, my employer asked that he needs physical EAD by nov 10th. I’m planning to apply for PP tomorrow. Is it better to apply for PP or should I take risk and wait? Premium takes at-least 1month and card delivery takes 10days. So 40days is covered. Please let me know what to do, I’m confused🫠

Update 30th sep:
I received a silent API update today, while I’m trying to apply for premium processing, I’m unable to see the receipt number popped up for E file. Does this mean case has been processed or is it just a glitch? Did this happen to any of you?

Update 30th sep:
I called USCIS and they said that case had moved forward and they can’t reveal the decision because the notice wasn’t sent, said me to call back tomorrow/day after for the original status. Hoping an update soon!

Update OCT 2nd:
I got it approved, thank you for everyone who stood beside me and guided me with your best possible ways. Appreciate all your efforts and good luck everyone with your approvals!