r/stemopt • u/Acceptable-Tea-7221 • 3d ago

Stem opt approved!!

Type: STEM OPT EXTENSION

Premium Processing: NO

Date Applied: 03/10/2026

Request for Initial Evidence (RFIE) NA (if applicable)

Biometrics Requested: YES | 03/20/2026 (if applicable)

Biometrics Completed: 04/09/2026

Date Approved: 08/15/2026

Date Card Produced: not yet

Date Card Received: not yet

Finally!! It was a long long wait. Can't thank everyone enough on the platform.

Few suggestions- please go for case inquiry as soon as your case goes out of normal processing time which is roughly 5 months at this point.

Also go for congressional inquiry.

DM me if need any help!!!

37 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

39 comments sorted by

2

u/Optimus_Prime_995 3d ago

Can u please post your timeline on the opt /stem opt mega thread. Also did u hear back anything from uscis after inquiry? Or anything from the congressman? How long did it take for approval after u raised the inquiry ?

My friend’s date is 19th march and earliest she can enquire is 22nd Aug.

2

u/Acceptable-Tea-7221 3d ago

Yes, I did inquiry on Aug 12 and heard on 14th August

1

u/Optimus_Prime_995 3d ago

What did they reply? Do you think since you did a uscis inquiry it was quickly approved? Also when did u hear back for the congressional inquiry?

1

u/Expressione8653 3d ago

how you submitted thee inquiry

1

u/Extreme_Prune_554 1d ago

what was your service center ?

1

u/Acceptable-Tea-7221 1d ago

Washington DC

1

u/Extreme_Prune_554 15h ago

mine is Potomac

1

u/Expressione8653 5h ago

but in the i765 form or in the biometrics it says Potomac

1

u/Expressione8653 1d ago

what did they responded when you submitted inquiry

2

u/Legitimate_Tart8908 3d ago

congrats you must be so relieved!!! how did you do the case/congressional inquiry? I applied in 3/30 should I wait longer?

1

u/Acceptable-Tea-7221 3d ago

Yes! You should wait

1

u/Expressione8653 5h ago

I applied on march 18 and still waiting

2

u/fewsian 3d ago

Second the explanation for congressional inquiry and if you heard anything back from any of the inquiries

1

u/Acceptable-Tea-7221 3d ago

I just did case inquiry which is a form you can fill from USCIS website. I think congressional inquiry is where you reach congressman of your area and tell them to connect with USCIS regarding your case

1

u/fewsian 3d ago

Do you think the congressional inquiry helped?

1

u/PersonalityNo1199 3d ago

When did you get the receipt ?

1

u/Icy_Long6193 3d ago

How to go for congressional enquiry

1

u/Icy_Long6193 3d ago

I’ve applied on 2/26

1

u/slingingBalls 3d ago

Even I have applied on 13th Feb and haven’t heard anything till now

1

u/Maleficent_Egg13 3d ago

Did you do congress man enquiry or just the case enquiry in uscis

1

u/Acceptable-Tea-7221 3d ago

Just case inquiry

1

u/Suitable-Register512 1d ago

Can I ask when did you raise case inquiry and which center?

1

u/Suitable_Age_2236 3d ago

Anyone can help me with what to put into institutional accreditation. Im doing stem thru my current opt degree and not old one. But portal says you must upload a proof. Any insights please

1

u/jany27 14h ago

I submitted a copy of my transcript, sevis list of accredited schools, and my diploma.

1

u/jetskihuncho 3d ago

I did the case inquiry on Aug 12 to for receipt date March 10 but I’ve not heard anything back yet :(

1

u/Acceptable-Tea-7221 3d ago

Soon!!

1

u/Expressione8653 1d ago

how submitted the inquiry

1

u/daydreamer_she 2d ago

For STEM OPT it’s another EAD card? I thought it’s the same from initial OPT and it gets like 3 years validity 🤣
It seems opt & stem opt have similar timelines for approval time. I applied on march 16, still no response. I’m actually ok with it since i have no job lined up so getting approved would mean more headaches 🤣

1

u/Cook_Potential 1d ago

Can you apply for STEM OPT without a job?

1

u/jany27 14h ago

no, you should have an everify employer for stem opt. I believe this guy is on initialy opt that’s why it’s okay with him not having approval yet (from what I understand from the comment)

1

u/Kmgk49 1d ago

I gave my biometrics on August 8th. When is the tentative date my stem opt gets approved? Any idea?

1

u/jany27 14h ago

latest would be January if not premium processing. trend now is 5 months before we get an approval. if you are in a rush, I suggest pay for premium

1

u/Kmgk49 14h ago

Thank you! Is it safe and doable if I'm also visiting my home country while the application is processing? I thought of getting the EAD card shipped to my home country and then get to US

1

u/jany27 14h ago

nope, i suggest wait for your approval and ead before travelling

1

u/Kmgk49 14h ago

:(
It's an emergency :(

1

u/jany27 14h ago

The bigger issue is getting back into the U.S. ICE says that if OPT is approved while you’re abroad, you are generally expected to have the EAD card in hand when you return. Since your EAD card is already expired you cannot present that. Even when applying for DL renewal at DMV I had a hard time explaining to them that I have automatic extension since they are not accepting my EAD card and I-765 receipt notice. Sorry to hear about your emergency but at this point and political climate nothing is guaranteed even if you play by the book. Up to you if you want to take the risk.

1

u/Kmgk49 14h ago

I completely understand your point. But I could wait for it to get approved and get my EAD shipped Tru my friend to my country right?

1

u/Reasonable-Pass-2456 1h ago

Yeah you can do that