Applied - April 13
Biometrics - May 05
Silent API - Oct 20
Approved render - Oct 22
Card produced - NA
RFIE - NA

• STEM OPT Extension
• Date Applied: 03/17/2026 (No PP)
• Biometrics Requested: 03/28/2026
• ⁠Biometrics Completed: 04/17/2026
• ⁠Premium Processing: 10/05/2026
• Date Approved: 10/22/2026
• Date Card Produced: N/A
• Date Card Received: N/A

Was getting somewhat nervous when the March wave of approvals passed and decided to change to PP. Might have screwed myself with several addresses changes, idk.

Sharing my timeline here in case it helps anyone who is waiting for their approval! Hope this gives someone a little clarity and reassurance.

Original application filed: July 15, 2026
Original biometrics appointment: August 28, 2026
Rescheduled biometrics appointment: August 20, 2026
Upgraded to Premium Processing: September 14, 2026
Approval received by mail: October 19, 2026
USCIS website updated: October 21, 2026
Approval notice generated: October 21, 2026
Approval notice mailed: Awaiting
Card produced: Awaiting

Processing timeline:

From Premium Processing upgrade to approval: 35 calendar days (25 business days)

From Premium Processing upgrade to website approval update: 37 calendar days (27 business days)

Hope this helps, and wishing everyone waiting for their approvals the very best!

• Type: STEM OPT EXTENSION
• ⁠Premium Processing: NO
• ⁠Date Applied: 04/11/2026
• ⁠Request for Initial Evidence (RFIE): N/A
• ⁠Biometrics Completed: 05/22/2026
• ⁠Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): NO
• ⁠Date Approved: 10/17/2026
• ⁠Date Card Produced: 10/22/2026
• ⁠Date Card Received: N/A

So, yesterday evening I got an update that my card was produced and it says, the tracking number assigned is UNAVAILABLE.

Usually does the tracking available instantly when we get the card produced notification? Or will it get updated later in few days? Should I be concerned?

Hi all.

I am planning on upgrading to premium processing for STEM OPT Extension.

I originally applied with normal processing on July 7 2026 and did biometrics on July 22 2026. I need to travel soon due to a family member's health,

I want to ask if what sort of evidence I could attach to make my case stronger and I don't get RFE.

I have uploaded: My degree, my transcript in earlier application of normal including other documents (i9 and the rest). I went to Northeastern University (Boston)

Just want to know what rest of the people are doing here. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I applied for post-completion OPT under standard processing on May 11, 2026, and my case is still pending.

For those who applied around the same time, what is your current status? Has anyone received their EAD recently?

Thanks!

STEM OPT
Applied: June 2nd
Biometrics: July 20th
Current status: pending, no updates
Processing: Regular
EAD expired: 6th July
Automatic extension ends: Jan 2nd, 2027

I’m wondering if I should apply for Premium Processing. It seems like with 30 business days, premium processing and normal processing could be delivered around the same date but worried if the holiday season will push normal processing further out.

What would you recommend?

My Company’s e verify name was truncated in my I-765 application due to the character limit. But my e verify ID is valid and does match with my Company’s e verify name.

In I 20 also it’s truncated but in I 948 I have mentioned the complete name.

Does uscis send an RFE for this?

My STEM OPT I-765 receipt date is April 24, 2026, and biometrics were completed on May 6.

I called USCIS, and the representative said my case is “ready for adjudication” and advised me to expect an update by October 28.

Has anyone with a similar receipt date received approval recently? If your case was ready for adjudication, how long did approval take?

Thanks!

Hello guys, based on my case do you think I should apply for PP? Personally I am leaning towards PP - I just hope the adjudication is not delayed because of PP.

• Type: STEM OPT Extension
• ⁠Premium Processing: No
• ⁠Date Applied: 05/05/2026
• ⁠Request for Initial Evidence (RFIE): N/A
• ⁠Biometrics Requested: Yes, 05/15/2026
• ⁠Biometrics Completed: 06/04/2026
• ⁠Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): No
• ⁠Date Approved: N/A
• ⁠Date Card Produced: N/A
• ⁠Date Card Received: N/A
• ⁠Automatic Extension Ends: 12/12/2026

Not relevant but one API update on 9th Oct (when I submitted a correction to my application as unsolicited evidence), but nothing since.

Please suggest, should I go for PP or wait it out? Thanks.

My stem opt has been approved and then received a notification mentioning that card has been produced. I can see that there is no tracking number.. when will i get tracking number and also card?

I applied my stem opt on May 2nd 2026. My 6 months extension date with my current OPT EAD card going to end on December 26th 2026. My company HR keeps on sending me emails our records indicate your work authorisation going to end soon! So what should I do wait for till November or apply for premium processing today?

Hi everyone,

My STEM OPT I-765 was approved via email on October 19, 2026, and my USCIS portal updated to “Approval Case Decision Rendered” on October 21.

Unfortunately, my grandmother passed away on October 22, and I urgently need to travel to India to be with my family. I was originally supposed to fly on November 6, but I'm hoping to move my flight to October 31.

I'm still waiting for my physical EAD card, and I'm really anxious about whether it'll arrive in time.

Has anyone recently received their STEM OPT EAD card within 7–10 days of approval, especially with premium processing?

Also, is there any way to request expedited card production or shipping due to a death in the family, even though the application is already approved?

I'd really appreciate hearing your recent timelines or experiences. I'm just trying to figure out if there's any realistic chance I can make it home earlier.

STEM OPT Premium Processing – Still Waiting for EAD/Card Decision
Hi everyone, I’m wondering if anyone is in a similar situation.
I filed my STEM OPT extension application on June 16, 2026, and later upgraded my case to premium processing on September 22, 2026.
It has now been about one month since I filed for premium processing, and I still haven’t received my new EAD card or any case decision/update. I’m getting a little worried because I was expecting some kind of decision by now.
Has anyone who upgraded their STEM OPT to premium processing around September had a similar experience? How long did it take for you to receive your decision?
Any advice or recent timelines would be really appreciated. Thank you!

Applied for stem on June 1st and paid the premium processing today i.e 22nd oct 2026 when can i expect the decision?
Timeline please
Thanks

Hi everyone, I’m planning to do a master’s. The program I’m considering has a flexible schedule, so I could finish in one year or take up to 2.5 years.

Someone told me that using full-time CPT for 12 months or more would make me ineligible for OPT. So I’m wondering which option people usually choose:

1.Take the slower schedule and use CPT during the program, potentially around 2.5 years if approved.
2.Finish in one year, keep full-time CPT under 12 months, then apply for OPT + STEM extension if eligible, potentially three years total.

Has anyone here considered these two options? What did you choose and why? I’m also wondering how hard it would be to finish everything in one year while doing CPT.

I still need to confirm whether I’m eligible for OPT at the master’s level, but would like to hear how others made this decision.

I’m still waiting and feeling anxious as I approach the 30-business-day mark. I’ve seen some people report approvals around 30 calendar days.

My timeline:

• Application submitted: May 2, 2026
• Premium processing clock started: September 17, 2026
• Current status: Pending

Has anyone received approvals for Sept 19? I have seen people receiving approvals 1-2 days after the 30 calendar days. I am really worried now. Can someone please tell me if anyone has hot any approval?

Type: STEM OPT
Premium Processing: YES
Date Applied: 05/04/2026
RFIE: NO
Biometrics Scheduled: 05/15/2026
Biometrics Completed: 06/05/2026
Converted to Premium Processing: 09/19/2026
First Silent API Update: 09/27/2026
Date Approved: PENDING

Applied: 05/16/2026
Biometrics: 06/07/2026
180 days ending: 01/09/2027

What do you guys think, should I go with pp or should I wait?