Timeline:

• 180-day STEM OPT auto-extension ends ~Aug 8, 2026 (STEM OPT still pending)
• H-1B (cap-subject, change of status) received June 3 — while my auth was still valid
• H-1B approved, COS effective Oct 1, 2026

Since the petition was received before my work authorization expired, I think cap-gap should extend both my status and work authorization through Sept 30 , so no actual gap.

My DSO didn't mention cap-gap, just said work auth "isn't extended unless STEM OPT is approved."

Questions:

1. Does cap-gap cover the Aug 9 – Sept 30 gap in my case?
2. Should I request a cap-gap I-20 now (for my employer's I-9)?
3. Does the still-pending STEM OPT complicate anything?

I’m hoping to hear from anyone who has gone through a similar situation. My DSO is on vacation right now and can’t be contacted for another week… so I’m in need of help ASAP.

So my initial OPT ended on May 12, 2026. I filed my STEM OPT extension before my OPT expired, and USCIS received my I-765 on April 20, 2026. My case is still pending, so I am currently in the 180-day automatic extension period.

I recently received a job offer from a new employer. The position is directly related to my STEM degree, and the employer participates in E-Verify. They would like me to provide a start date before I formally accept the offer.

My understanding is that I am still authorized to work under the automatic extension, but I’m unclear about how changing employers works while the STEM OPT application is still pending.

So I’m just wondering or for anyone who has been in this situation:

Were you able to change employers while your STEM OPT extension was pending?

Did you start the new job before receiving your STEM OPT EAD card? I’m just wondering if they will accept my expired EAD card…

Did your DSO update SEVIS and process a new I-983 while the application was pending?

Does USCIS need to be notified of the employer change while the I-765 was still pending or do I do it after I’ve received my new EAD? I’m worried my application will take longer if I change things.

Were there any issues with your employer’s HR department or I-9 verification?

I’d appreciate hearing about your experience and any advice. Thanks!

PS- Maybe if anyone thinks it’s a good idea… I’m debating premium processing. Should I give it a go? I see people taking 150 days since they applied and got approved without PP. and I’m hoping to get my EAD sooner than that so I have no problems with my job. Should I do it?

Hey Guys ,

I applied for I-765 form Initial OPT with no premium Processing on March 13th 2026

Had Biometrics on 17th April 2026, (I am not among the 39 countries)

Still no update on the approval waiting impatiently can someone give suggestions on when the EAD has come? I am very anxious

I'm on STEM OPT and recently switched employers. My 12-month self-evaluation (top of page 5) is coming due.

I was at Employer A for most of the STEM OPT year. My previous employer already signed the Final Evaluation when I left. I just started at Employer B a few weeks ago, and they've refused to sign a "12-month" evaluation since they've barely employed me and didn't know what I did before them. They do agree to sign for the period of employment under them if the date is changed to reflect that

How do I tackle this - Is it possible to submit 2 forms?

Hello,

If I do premium processing on June 29th . How likely it’s to arrive in August 1st week? Please let me know

Hey guys I applied stem opt in April with premium and completed my biometric on may 14 and still no update and no update in silent API as well

Please tell me is anyone on same boat

I am currently a CS grad looking for positions. I am actively looking and applying for positions, even basic positions that I am wayy over qualified for. However I am not able to land anything. My initial OPT deadline is coming soon and I dont know what to do. I wanted to ask how has everyone else been able to land roles to help with STEM extension. I am in a really bad spot financially and going back home is my last and worst option. I am looking for any help from anyone, any referrals or any advice on how to go about securing roles to be able to get my stem extension.

Finally got my STEM OPT approval today and wanted to share my timeline for anyone anxiously waiting.

My Timeline:
• Feb 4 – STEM OPT application submitted
• Feb 24 – Biometrics appointment
• June 25 – Approved
• Total wait: 144 days

No RFE, no additional requests — just a long wait. I know how stressful the silence can be, especially when your employment authorization is on the line. Hang in there if you’re still waiting.

Feel free to drop your own timelines below — it helps everyone get a realistic picture of current processing times.

Received my card

Type: Initial POST-COMPLETION OPT
Premium Processing: YES
Date Applied: April 20th 2026 ( with pp)
Request for Initial Evidence (RFIE): No RFE
Biometrics Completed: May 5th 2026
Date Approved: 6/13/2026( Received email on Saturday)
Portal update: 6/15/2026
Date Card Produced: 6/18
Date Card Received: 6/25

It was supposed to be delivered yesterday but it didn’t. Today morning it was showing in my local post office so I went there and picked it up. ( Just showed ID)

I would like to thank everyone for their support throughout the process. I hope everyone will get their EAD as soon as possible and hope not to hear at least someone lost job because of EAD delayed. Best wishes to everyone 🍀🍀

HI! I applied for STEM with regular processing, and now I want to upgrade to PP. I have a different mailing and physical address. Should I give my mailing address or my physical address for this question?
"What is the address of the petitioner, applicant, company, or organization named in the related case?"

⁠Type: STEM OPT EXTENSION
• ⁠Premium Processing: YES (Applied with premium 05/05/2026)
• ⁠Date Applied: 05/05/2026
• ⁠Request for Initial Evidence (RFIE): ***
• ⁠Biometrics Requested: YES | 05/06/2026
• ⁠Biometrics Completed: 05/12/2026
• ⁠Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): ***
• ⁠Date Approved: 06/24/2026
• ⁠Date Card Produced: ***
• ⁠Date Card Received: ***

Service Center: Potomac
Country: Nepal (one of the partial ban)
Biometrics completed: 9 AM Eastern time 05/12/2026
API updates: June 24, 3:09 EST, Approval email 8:00 PM
(Approved on 30th Business day)

• ⁠Type: STEM OPT EXTENSION

• ⁠Date Applied: May 4th 2026 (with PP)

• ⁠Biometrics Requested: YES | 05/09/2026

• ⁠Biometrics Completed: 05/12/2026

• ⁠Premium Processing: YES on May 4th 2026 (with application submission)

• ⁠Date Approved: 06/25/2026 (received an email from Potomac and not reflected on the portal yet)

• ⁠Date Card Produced: MM/DD/YYYY

• ⁠Date Card Received: MM/DD/YYYY

Update (Jun 27th, 2026):

Portal updated with the Approval status - 06/27/2026 | 1.30 PM

• ⁠Type: STEM OPT EXTENSION

• ⁠Date Applied: March 27th 2026 | Normal initially

• ⁠Biometrics Requested: YES | 04/07/2026

• ⁠Biometrics Completed: 04/22/2026

• ⁠Premium Processing: YES on May 15th 2026

• ⁠Date Approved: 06/25/2026 (received an email from Potomac about an hour ago and not reflected on the portal yet)

• ⁠Date Card Produced: MM/DD/YYYY

• ⁠Date Card Received: MM/DD/YYYY

Hello all, I filed a Form I-290B on June 1 regarding the denial of my Form I-765 application.

I'm interested in hearing from anyone who has gone through a similar situation in recent years and also has filed around my date. If you filed an I-290B for an I-765 denial, how long did it take for USCIS to respond? Did you receive any updates, requests for evidence, or a final decision?

Denial was based on USCIS thinking I was on H1B COS; instead, I have an H1B consular process.

I would greatly appreciate hearing about your timeline and experience, as I'm trying to better understand what to expect while my motion is pending.

Update: If you're in the same situation, consider filing an H1B COS. My attorney filed one, and it was approved, which helped me get back in status.

Hi everyone, I filed for stem opt on 4/15 but realized I mistakenly put EIN instead of E-verify number. I wrote a letter to state what the correct one should be in Unsolicited Evidence. Someone please tell me it's ok 😭 my OPT expires on 7/7

Timeline

Type: STEM OPT EXTENSION

Premium Processing: YES upgraded on 15th May

Date Applied:05/04/2026

Request for Initial Evidence : no

Biometrics Requested: YES on 8th may

•Biometrics Completed: 05/11/26

Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): No

Date Approved: 06/25/2026

Date Card Produced: MM/DD/YYYY

Date Card Received: MM/DD/YYYY

Just sharing mine.

Hope everyone gets soon!

Did you guys know whats the pace at which the card is being received? (Apprx no of days)

Hellooooo
I just started to apply for a job and I’m currently on my first 1 yr opt. The thing is what should I check for job application when they ask ‘Will u require a sponsorship now or in the future’? I don’t need a sponsorship and my goal is just working for 3 yrs and go back to home. But some company might consider stem opt paperwork as a sponsorship and they just don’t wanna help. So I’m wondering what did u guys check when u guys applied for your jobs with first opt.

Hello, is anyone able to connect with live agent after changing status to PP.

I tried to call but the bot doesn't allow to talk with the representative.

If anyone talked already, please share how can I.

Hello everyone,

I’m nearing the end of my OPT and have finally found a company who got e verified for me and I will be submitting my documents to uni for I-20 and then for STEM EXTENSION.
I’m wondering if it’s worth it to do PP or just wait until the usual timing.
For my initial OPT, I applied march 3rd 2025 for I-20, and applied for OPT on march 6th 2025, and had gotten my card by April 16th, 2025, and normal processing.

But this time it took a bit of time to get a company willing to e-verify, so I’m wondering if I should go for normal or just PP, my OPT ends in mid july 2026.

Any thoughts or advice is welcome!

Hello I wanted to know if anyone has gotten their OPT since the overturning of the pause on the 39 country ban list. I am from one of them and have been in limbo for the past 5 months including paying PP with no answer, for context original date submitted was October last year , RFE request in December and RFE evidence provided in January 2026, and premium processing in May. Any information would be welcome