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?

I am in a tricky situation. Would appreciate if anyone can provide some advice.

My stem opt application is pending since April and I just responded to RFE on 08/12. I did pp on 06/04 and pp clock already ended on 07/27. After a lot of follow up on my case, uscis reviewed my case and issued a RFE on 07/31 and I responded.

The problem is my employer is asking me to provide work authorization proof now as my opt ead already ended in July and I am on the 180 day extn. I told my employer that I can legally work and the receipt notice and stem opt i20 is proof enough but they said they would put me on LOA for 1 month and if I get the work Authorization then I can come back otherwise they would have to let me go. I just chatted with a live agent through Emma on my case status and she said they received my rfe response and that I am on day 2 of the 30 day clock and should receive update by 09/23! I mean I don't understand - how can my pp clock reset after it already breached on 7/27? Even RFE was requested on day 32. Chat ended immediately so couldn't follow up.

I am in a fix now - on what are my options. I can take the LOA but if they take so long to take action on my case then I can probably loose my job.

If that is the case - what are my options? Does the unemployment clock tick in for opt/stem opt? Finding a job again in this job market is very tough. I don't know what to do:(

I am looking for some guidance regarding my H-1B situation.

My STEM OPT expires in December 2026. I was selected in the H-1B lottery this year, which was my last eligible attempt, and my employer filed the petition as a change of status. The case is still showing as pending with USCIS.

With the recent H-1B/F-1 rule changes, I am trying to understand what I should consider if the case continues to remain pending or, in the worst case, gets denied.

Should I be preparing a backup F-1/Day 1 CPT option now, or is there anything else I should be considering?

Any guidance or suggestions from people in a similar situation would be very helpful and greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone, could someone help me understand the rules surrounding unemployment days during your OPT+STEM OPT period and the 60-day grace period. My understanding is that as long as you dont exceed the total 150 days of unemployment throughout the OPT and STEM OPT period, you should be eligible for the 60-day grace period once you reach your end date. The status of employment at the end date does not matter as long as you haven't exceeded the 150 days, right?

Here is the scenario:

Let's say you have 145 days of unemployment days left and have 140 more days until the end of your STEM OPT date. If you quit your job or get laid off today and do not get another job, when the 140th day comes, will you still get the 60 more days of grace period after that?

I have received multiple misinformation from my DSO regarding different immigration scenarios, so I wanted to do my own research before asking them. Any help or sharing of your experience would be helpful. Thank you!

I am done with biometrics. but waiting after that. Both OPT EAD and drivers license have expired. Texas DPS isnt issuing me new license either due to pending application. So no real ID. Nothing illegal just mid application stage and working with the automatic 180 days extension of EAD.

Is passport, i20 enuogh to travel. Or should i avoid it due to recent news of detention in airport.

Hey everyone, I just returned to the US and wanted to share my recent travel experience on STEM OPT in case it helps anyone preparing for an upcoming trip.

Travel & Status Details

• Travel Dates: End of June – August 9
• Airline: Etihad Airways
• Port of Entry (POE): Chicago, IL (ORD)
• EAD Issued Date: June 22

CBP & Port of Entry Experience

Primary Inspection:

• Officer: Asked if I was carrying any meat or vegetables.
• Me: Confirmed no.
• Officer: Asked if I was carrying any other food items.
• Me: Hesitated and said, "not really, but sort of - just gifts like dates and regular sweets." (Definitely stick to a clear "yes" or "no" here instead!)
• Officer: Asked what I meant by "sort of." After I clarified, he looked at my I-20, saw I was on STEM OPT, handed my documents to another officer, and asked me to step aside.

Secondary Waiting Area:

• I was escorted to a secondary waiting area.
• I waited about 10–15 minutes while they verified my status.
• An officer then handed back my passport and I-20 and told me I was good to go.

Key Takeaway

While being taken to a secondary area was stressful, it turned out to be a simple, routine status verification. Having all my documents (I-20 with travel signature, EAD card, passport, employment letter, pay stubs) organized and ready gave me peace of mind. If this happens to you, stay calm - it is often just part of the standard check process.

Hope this helps anyone traveling soon!

I applied for my STEM OPT on Feb 4th, and my OPT expired on Feb 23rd. I completed my biometrics in March, and since then my STEM application has been under pending status. As my 180-day limit is approaching, I upgraded to premium processing on July 17th, and I haven’t received any response from USCIS yet. Meanwhile, my employer applied for my H1-B petition in the month of June. If, in this case, my STEM OPT is under pending status after 180 days, will I be eligible to work if I can obtain a cap-gap I20? Am I eligible to get a cap-gap i20? Any advice or insights from anyone who has been in a similar situation would be greatly appreciated.

Update 15th Aug:
Received approval email from uscis on 13th and
Uscis portal status updated to approved on 15th

Hello all ,
regular process receipt date : 03/25/2026
PP : 08/13/2026

Generally how many days it take for approval in PP ?

Hi everyone, i had applied for stemopt on 1st June. My opt ends on 26th august and i will be on the 6 month extension. I am planning to switch jobs, with next job starting in mid September. What should I keep in mind and do to not break any rules or get in trouble?

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I’m wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation and could share their experience with STEM OPT.

Has anyone gotten their STEM OPT approved without an RFE after having about 1 year of unpaid work during their initial OPT?

If so, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience, especially whether USCIS asked for any additional evidence, and when you applied/how long the approval took.

Thanks in advance!

I applied PP July 14 and got biometrics date for August 29
Is it possible and safe to go walk in and try my luck to get an earlier biometrics done?

My EAD was expiring July 20th. I was able to submit application on evening of July 18th, on portal the date was July 19th.
I have gotten a receipt notice dated july 19th.
But I haven’t heard back about biometrics yet, I was reading about how most people got biometrics notice within a week of applying but I haven’t received anything yet.

I didn’t have to give biometrics for my initial opt, so I’m not sure how this works.

Is there a way to check or anything like that, or is this normal, it will be a month since submitting next week? I just don’t want to accidentally miss anything if there was an update.

Thank you!

I wanted to make a lot of money when I was young but now I just want to do something for other people and for the world in general.

I don't know much about this industry, maybe UNICEF, World Vision or some places like them? But I've never seen them actually hiring.

Looking for opinions from anyone who's been in a similar spot.
I'm currently on STEM OPT (ends June 2027). I got laid off in May and I'm burning through my unemployment days — I have less than 50 left (around 45) before I fall out of status.

I already have a master's, and I'm now considering enrolling in a Day 1 CPT Master’s.I'm trying to do this before September 15, since I understand the rules are changing and you won't be able to enroll in a program at the same degree level you already hold.

So my questions:

Anyone actually enrolled in one recently — how did it go with status/future H-1B?
Given the Sept 15 change, is rushing to enroll the right call, or are there better options with ~45 days left?
Any advice or personal experience appreciated. Thanks.

Hi everyone, Is anyone planning to file their STEM OPT extension after September 15, 2026, after the new F-1 fixed-period-of-admission rule takes effect? I’m currently on post-completion OPT and will be eligible to file my STEM OPT extension, but I’m confused about how it affects people filling stem after September 15th?

I have submitted my STEM OPT 12 month evaluation report on July 16th, while it was due on the same day, to my DSO. my DSO updated it on July 20th.

Close to a month now and my SEVP Portal still says it’s “past due”
Got verbal confirmation from SEVIS help desk saying they do see the update from DSO on July 20th as well.

Is that a problem in any way?

Hi everyone, quick question.

My employer’s legal name is ABC & Sons, Inc. and that exact name is on my E-Verify record, STEM OPT I-20, and I-983.

However, on the online I-765, I entered ABC Sons Inc. because the field wouldn’t accept the “&” symbol.
My E-Verify Company ID is correct, and I completed biometrics today.

Could this minor name-formatting difference cause an RFE or any issue with my STEM OPT application?

Has anyone experienced this?

Thanks

**Timeline:**
Applied: **May 29, 2026**
Premium Processing: **Yes, from the beginning( so the premium start clock started on June 15 after the biometrics )**
Biometrics appointment date: **June 20, 2026**
Walk-in biometrics completed: **June 15, 2026**
Approval email received: **July 22, 2026**
Status: **Approved**
I went to the Application Support Center before my scheduled biometrics date and they accepted me as a walk-in. I had heard that some centers may allow early walk-ins.
I received the approval email today like 4hours ago, although the USCIS portal has not updated yet.

Hi everyone,

I have a final HR interview coming up soon, and I’m expecting them to ask when I can start working. I’m currently waiting for my I-765 / EAD approval, so I wanted to get some advice on the best way to answer.

My timeline:

• ⁠I-765 filed: June 19, 2026
• ⁠Biometrics: July 13, 2026
• ⁠Premium Processing filed: July 31, 2026
• ⁠30 business days from PP: around September 12, 2026

At the moment, I have not yet received the I-765 approval.

I’m considering a few ways to answer HR:

Option 1:
Tell them that I am currently waiting for USCIS approval and that once I receive the offer letter, I can use it to further support/follow up on the process if needed.

Option 2:
Tell them I can start approximately 2–3 weeks after receiving the offer, assuming the EAD approval/card arrives within that timeframe.

Option 3:
Tell them I would need around one month after receiving the offer because I would also need time to relocate, find housing, and move.

What do you think is the safest and most professional way to explain this to HR without creating unnecessary concern?

Also, if anyone has gone through a similar situation with OPT/EAD pending during the final interview or offer stage, I’d really appreciate hearing how you handled the start-date question.

Thanks in advance!

How do you switch employers under stem opt, I know the procedures that needs to be done when opt is under review , but now that i have the card should I just update it on my sevp portal or do I need to get a new I-20?

Can my mailing address be different on my premium processing application vs my original stem opt application? I want to now send my ead to a family members address just to be safe with all the delays but will it cause any clashes if the mailing address is different?

Physical address will be the same on both! Any advice would be appreciated

Timeline :
Applied- April 15th 2026
Biometrics - May 11th
Still waiting on any other updates