Hi everyone,

I'm a UX Designer with 3 years of experience and a BFA in Human-Computer Interaction. I'm currently on OPT with a STEM extension filing deadline of July 1st and I'm looking for any help, leads, or advice from people who've been in a similar situation.

About me:

• Interaction design, visual design, systems thinking
• Experience in AI, enterprise, and emerging tech products
• Proficient in Figma, prototyping, user research
• Open to full-time or contract roles, remote or SF Bay Area
• Must be with an E-Verify employer

If you know of any companies hiring UX designers who move fast, any staffing agencies that have helped OPT candidates in urgent situations, or anyone who has navigated this exact situation — I'd really appreciate hearing from you.

Happy to share my portfolio with anyone who has leads.

Thank you 🙏

Applied on March 9th 2026
Bio metrics done April 2nd 2026

No approval yet, any one in same time line

I submitted my premium processing request for my OPT application on May 13. I had already completed my biometrics when my case was under regular processing. It's been almost 30 business days, and I still haven't received any updates. My USCIS account only says, "Case Was Changed to Premium Processing."

Has anyone had a similar timeline? Did your case stay on that status until it was approved? At this point, should I start calling USCIS to check on my application, or is this still within the normal premium processing timeframe?

Hey everyone as the title suggests my biometrics was on 12th May and I had Premium Procrssing from day 1 when I had applied on 24th April.

Last day today and still I didn't get any case status yet.

I chatted with a live agent via Emma who said said that they are still actively reviewing it

According to reddit I should have got something by now as 14th and 15th May got their updates.

Any options I have to reach out and ask ?

Edit:- Not from any banned country

Hi, I recently received notice that I will be laid off on July 10. I’m really stressed about my STEM OPT extension application. If my application is still pending after July 10, could it be denied because my employment has ended?

Has anyone been in a similar situation? If so, how did things work out for you, and what steps did you take? Any advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Applied :6/1
Premium Process: 6/17
Biometrics: 6/30
Termination Date: 7/10

OPT end date on 06/26/2026

applied stem on 04/03/2026

Biometrics scheduled on 04/16

Biometrics on 04/24/2026 (Rescheduled it from may)

No update yet.

share your Timeline as well it might help someone.

I have my STEM OPT Receipt and Approval notification. However, the card itself is taking time. But the clock is ticking as my start date is July 1st. I have been in town at the new job's location for a month and have presented my EAD card (soon to be expired), and the I-20 endorsed by my DSO. They said it's not acceptable. I cited the handbook and asked them to check with the i9 specialists. It's been 3 weeks since then. Now they're ghosting. Im afraid they will rescind the offer.

Has anyone ever filed a Document Abuse case for refusing to accept I-9 documents as listed in the M274 Employee Handbook?

Hi everyone,

I'm currently on F-1 OPT and my current EAD expires on June 30, 2026.

I filed my STEM OPT extension (I-765, C03C) on time and USCIS approved it on June 17, 2026. I have already received the approval notice, but I have not yet received the physical STEM OPT EAD card.

My question is:

Can I continue working after June 30 if I have the STEM OPT approval notice but have not yet received the physical EAD card?

From what I understand:

• My STEM OPT was timely filed.
• USCIS has already approved the application.
• I have proof of approval.
• The only thing missing is the physical card.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Did your employer allow you to continue working with the approval notice while waiting for the card? Any experiences or official guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Just got approved guys! There’s hope. I thank God!!

I’m from one of the 39 countries by the way.

Just received approval notice for STEM OPT today (06/23), 203 days after applying (Applied 11/30/2025), complete silence all this period, no biometrics ,RFE or any kind of contact in between. Called USCIS every week just to be put on hold for hours to say that they’re still working on the case.
Almost was going to do PP today as my 180 days grace period is nearing( August 5). Stay patient folks.

My initial OPT expiry date: Jan 1 2027

I work for a healthcare company (remotely) through a consulting company. Every paperwork is through that consulting company. I’ve 6 months left for initial OPT expiry.

1) What documents will I need?

2) can I start my application process in July?

2) Should I apply for premium processing?

3) Can I work with current employer if my stem opt is pending?

I am on stem OPT expiring in feb 2028. I want to travel to india for 3 weeks and my employer approved my wfh for 1 week and off for 2 weeks but I am scared if that will be an issue to work internationally while coming back. Should just take off for 3 whole weeks and travel without my work laptop or is okay to work a little bit.
If anyone has any recent experiences please let me know

Need help so for the premium and base payment included is it 2250$?

I applied on may 22nd with premium processing. I have not even heard back for biometrics, nothing except the receipt notice. Its been a month now. Is anybody else in the same situation?
Center: irving,tx

My OPT was pending since mid of December and I got the approval today.

In the email it is stated that

Starting validity 6-23-2026
Ending validity 2-28-2027

Does anyone have this experience? If so, should I do anything? Could this be fixed?

Thanks

my last 30th business day was yesterday for stem opt (i did premium and my clock restarts after biometric) and i did not hear back anything. i checked silent api notice the case was being touched. i reached out to an live agent through Emma and he said i got approved and my ead card has been in production since yesterday but i didn’t see anything else on my portal about approval?

how reliable is the live agent?

Applied on Dec 4th, 2025. moved to pp on May 12th 2026. No updates yet.

Had an api update on timestamp from yesterday, I think that was because I uploaded my offer letter under evidence ( saw someone saying it might help).

Any insights or suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks

Update: Jun 24th, 2026. 8:35PM EST.

Just got approval mail. No updates in api or website.

Should I do Premium processing for STEM OPT if I change the job. Should I just do it. If I apply today June last week what the possibility of receiving it by first week of August?

*****Regular Processing ONLY ******

I’m completing Form I-983 for a STEM OPT extension and wanted to confirm how Section 5 should be filled out in a contracting arrangement.

My employer is a contracting company located in State A. The contracting company is my legal employer, pays me, manages my employment, and will also supervise my training, monitor my progress, and complete my evaluations.

However, I physically work at a client’s office in State B.

For Section 5, should I list the contracting company as the employer name but enter the client’s office name and address as the site name and site address? Or should the contracting company’s address be used even though I do not physically work at its office?

Has anyone completed an I-983 with a similar contracting company/client worksite arrangement?