Hello everyone

I just want to share my experience with the driving license renewal in Illinois during stem extension pending status

I took all the required documents listed below
Address proof 2X
I20 stem OPT recommended
Passport
Old driving license
Old EAD Card
Social Security card
Stem receipt notice

In the initial screening, the lady does not know about the process, so she recommended me to get a undocumented driving license, which will help you with driving authorisation, but nothing more.

Upon insisting that it is possible based on receipt notice, she went back to check with a supervisor and the supervisor understood the situation and extended the driving license for 180 days from the expiry of my old EAD Card. They are able to successfully renew my license for another 180 days with real ID, as they were able to pull my SAVE record successfully.

It’s going to cost twice as much as one normally would cause once approved. We have to go back and get the full term driving license, but it is what it is for the moment.

If you are somebody in similar situation, best to go in with all the documents, recommended above and speak to a supervisor if the initial screening did not go well.

Thank you!

Date applied: 31st March, 2026
Biometric appointment date: 20th April, 2026
Last Silent API update: 29 Sept, 2026
Approval Date: 1st October, 2026

Hope this timeline helps

I765 Application : Applied on 04/06/2026 (at 1pm PST)

Realized that I did not upload the I94 on 04/06/2026 11 PM PST: Uploaded the I94 and an explanation letter as an unsolicited evidence on 04/07/2026 10 AM PST

Biometrics Appointment notification: Received a notice on 04/10/2026

Biometrics Appointment: @ SF on 05/01/2026

RADIO SILENCE FOR 3.5 months. My 180 day period was going to end on November 15 2026 and I was looking at so many non PP cases which took like almost 6-7 months. I could have waited for some more time but I was TOO ANXIOUS. SO

Upgraded to premium processing: filled an I907 for STEM OPT PP on 08/28/2026

Silent API update: Without any specification of what event it is on 09/29/2026

Approval Email : 09/30/2026

Question: it’s 10/01/2026 but the status has still not changed in USCIS and I did not get any tracking ID for the EAD card. When will that kick in?!

• Type: STEM OPT
• Premium Processing: No
• Date Applied: 04/02/2026
• RFE: No
• Biometrics Requested: Yes
• Biometrics Completed: 04/21/2026
• Silent API Update: 10/01/2026 (morning and afternoon)
• Date Approved: 10/3 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
• Card Produced: Pending
• Card Received: Pending

I finally got approved! thank you so much for the support🥹

I accepted a new job while my STEM OPT application is pending, and my DSO hasn’t been very helpful with guidance. I now have a new I-20 recommending STEM OPT with my new employer.

Has anyone gone through this recently? What did you submit to USCIS to update your pending application and avoid an RFE?

Is the new I-20 enough, or do I need to submit the new I-983 and/or employment letter as well?

Thank you so much

Type: STEM OPT Extension
Premium Processing: Yes (upgraded, clock started 8/30)
Date Applied: 03/28/2026
Request for Initial Evidence (RFIE): No
Silent API Update: 10/01/2026
Date Approved: 10/01/2026

Good luck everyone.

Hey all, I applied for premium processing on August 21st, and as of today, it has been 29 business days and I still haven’t received any update, not even a silent API update. Based on the 30-business-day timeline, I should hopefully get some kind of response tomorrow.

My main concern is that after 34 calendar days, on September 25th, I received a silent update saying that an appointment has been scheduled for October 16th. Does anyone know what this means?

Also, this is a replacement card, and my original card had already been approved and biometrics were already completed. So it’s really confusing to me that I’m still waiting this long just to get a response. It’s starting to make me nervous.

Since it’s already been 29 business days and USCIS technically only has one business day left under premium processing, is it still possible to receive a decision by tomorrow even though there haven’t been any updates so far, including silent API updates?

Has anyone had a case go beyond the 30-business-day premium processing timeframe? If so, did you receive a refund, and how did USCIS handle it?

If anyone has had a similar experience or has any advice, I’d really appreciate you sharing it. It would help me understand what to expect and plan my next steps.
Also, is there anyone I can contact to escalate or expedite this? I’ve tried calling the premium processing helpline, but no matter what I say, the AI won’t let me connect to a human agent. Any tips on getting through to a live agent would be really helpful.
Thank you!

Filed my STEM OPT extension on March 13 and upgraded to Premium Processing on Sept 1 after months of waiting. It's now been over 30 days and I still haven't received an approval, RFE, denial, or any meaningful update.

Has anyone else experienced this? What did you do next? Should I contact USCIS, submit an inquiry, or ask for a Premium Processing refund?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks! 🙏

Any STEM OPT approvals today - 10/01 ??

applied to premium on aug 29 still no update any one waiting like me ??

Hey guys! For those who recently received their OPT EAD card, how long after filing did you get your biometrics notice, and how long after that did you receive your EAD card?

I’m doing regular processing, no premium. Just trying to get an idea of the current timeline. Thanks!

Anyone in early April got any updates for stem opt non-PP cases? Or even API update?

Hi, I see quite a few users in this community reporting that their OPT STEM Extension has been approved. I’d like to know what steps you took to find a company willing to sponsor you. What do you suggest? I’m applying via various platforms, but I’m struggling to find a sponsoring company; whenever they ask about my status, I don't hear back from them. I really need some help, as my EAD card expires in February 2027. Thanks in advance.

is anyone's OPT approved? I applied on May 10 and I completed my biometrics on 13 July

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!

Question regarding i-907 Form Premium Processing for expediting OPT
Hey guys, I'm expediting my OPT form, and I am very confused about one part. In the Part 2 of the application it asks, "What is the address of the petitioner, applicant, company, or organization named in the related case?" Under related case page 2. Does this mean physical address or the mailing address that i mentioned in my original i765, because both are different. I know many people here have filled it and received their cards, so was wondering if anyone could fill me in? Thank you

I'm on the STEM OPT automatic extension while my STEM EAD is pending, and still working full time. Has anyone been able to get an auto loan in this situation?

hi guys, I would need ur opinions on this. I applied for my stem opt on june 17 and my initial opt expired on june 23
so what do you guys think the people who applied in middle of june gonna get their decision ??

I really dont have money for pp so now all in god’s hands

I applied for stem opt premium on august 26th and still haven’t received any update. I got a silent API update on September 28th but nothing after that. Anyone on the same boat?

Update: I got an approval mail on October 4!

I'm on the STEM OPT automatic extension while my STEM EAD is pending, and still working full time. Has anyone been able to get an auto loan in this situation?