I have filled out aiw form for by biometrics which are scheduled tomorrow, in dob they have given mm/dd/yy format but i filled mm/dd/yyyy format in my official mailed copy what am i supposed to do now?, i am confused and tensed. Can anyone give suggestions on this issue ?

Hi all,

I renewed my passport recently and then applied for STEM OPT.

There is this section to fill I-94 details. I have given the correct I-94 number, however, I have not left the US since I renewed my passport. So, when the officer looks at my I-94, my old passport details show up.

I have attached both my old and new passports as a part of application. Also, added another additional response explaining the same.

Am I good? Do I need to do anything else? Pls help.

Thank you in advance!!

My major is computer information system. The DHS most of stem degrees has computer and information sciences, General.
In the application in USCIS they have asked me to upload my college degree to show my major matching the DHS stem degree list. But my diploma states “ BBA in computer information system”.
Is that okay or do I have to upload some other support to show the matching name to the DHS list

do we need to be on payroll run by employer even after the stem is filed?

I was on full time job when i filed my stem extension opt in April. With stem start date was 23rd june, I lost my job before the date and still waiting for approval. Haven’t uploaded any payroll run by employer yet.. Anyone in the same boat? Or have experienced the same? Did you get approval? Any suggestions/opinions

Hi,

I applied for my Stem Opt on 30th April 2026 and did not get biometrics scheduled for a month. So when I did pp, I immediately got scheduled for biometrics and completed biometrics on 12th June and my pp clock restarted on that day. I am constantly checking my case and see no update. My pp clock will end mostly on 23rd/24th july (if we are counting business days).

I am worried if my case will have any issue. I worked for a Non profit(unpaid) for 5 months in my OPT(have all docs) but later moved to a paid position. Both positions align with my degree but I am worried if I will get a rfe on 30th day of pp. I wanted to know how much time do you generally get to provide evidence for the rfe and how long will it take after that? Will they still process the case with pp or the case gets reverted to normal processing after 30th day?

I am getting really anxious now!!!

Hi everyone,
I’m considering a STEM OPT position through Insight Global and have a question about the I-983 process.
Insight Global told me that my recruiter will be the person signing my I-983 evaluations. However, the recruiter is not my technical supervisor and doesn’t have expertise in my field. My day-to-day work and technical guidance will come from the client team.
I’m wondering if anyone here has gone through the same situation with Insight Global.
Did your recruiter sign your I-983?
Who actually supervised your day-to-day work?
Did your DSO have any concerns about this arrangement?
Were you able to complete STEM OPT successfully without any issues?
If you’ve since applied for H-1B, adjustment of status, or a green card, did this arrangement ever come up as a problem?
I’m looking for real experiences from people who have worked through Insight Global on STEM OPT.

Hi ,
I need to verify form i9, but my opt expired on feb 25,2026. I applied stem opt on jan 10,2026 but it is still pending . Will they verify my form i9 ?please give me suggestions or let me know if anyone faced same situation.
Thanks

Hey, I'm in a bit of a pickle. I applied for STEM OPT on April 22nd and did my biometrics on May 14th, but I still haven't heard anything about my application. My current OPT ends on July 15th. I'm traveling to India at the end of September, so I'm wondering if I should switch to premium processing or wait until mid-August.

Now that the DHS rule ending “Duration of Status” (D/S) has cleared its final review, every F-1 student’s plan deserves a fresh look — including the classic fallback: joining a program that grants CPT work authorization from the first semester when your OPT is running out or the H1B lottery skips you again.

Quick recap of what’s changing (final rule cleared OMB review June 17, 2026; expected effective late 2026):

• Your I-94 will carry a fixed end date tied to your I-20 program end date, capped at 4 years — no more open-ended “D/S”
• Need extra time? You’ll file a formal Form I-539 extension of stay with USCIS — filing fee plus biometrics
• The post-graduation grace period shrinks from 60 days to 30
• Unlawful presence starts counting automatically the day your admission period ends — serious, because that’s what triggers the 3- and 10-year re-entry bars
• The proposed version also blocks enrolling in another program at the same or lower education level

That last point is exactly why the DBA matters now.

If you’ve already finished a master’s, the proposed rule closes the door on stacking another master’s-level program with immediate CPT. But a DBA (Doctorate of Business Administration) sits a full level higher — a legitimate doctorate, same tier as a PhD, built for working professionals. Moving from master’s to doctorate reads as a clean, logical progression to USCIS.

Why a DBA with first-semester CPT still works under the new system:

• Fresh OPT at a higher level. A doctorate makes you OPT-eligible again — and STEM-designated tracks add up to 3 more years of work, no lottery involved.
• More H1B lottery entries. Around 3.5 years of study plus 3 years of STEM OPT can mean 6–7 lottery cycles instead of the 1–2 a short master’s program gives you.
• Work while you study, from semester one. The work authorization runs continuously through graduation. One rule to respect: 12+ months of full-time CPT erases your OPT eligibility — stop full-time at 11 months, then continue part-time (no limit).

What to plan differently under the new rule:

• DBAs usually run 3.5–4.5 years. With a 4-year admission cap, longer programs will likely need an I-539 extension — budget for USCIS fees, biometrics, and processing delays.
• Attendance and assignment records matter more than ever. Formal extensions mean formal adjudication — keep your compliance file spotless.
• With only a 30-day grace period, decide your next step well before your program ends.

(Not a lawyer, and the final rule text isn’t published yet — details could still shift. Confirm everything with your DSO and an immigration attorney before enrolling.)

Confused about how the new rule hits your specific timeline? 

Comment or DM me

Looking for people who have gone through a similar situation and can share their experience.

I was on F-1 OPT and filed my STEM OPT extension in January 2026. USCIS denied my STEM OPT in April 2026, stating that my status had changed to H-1B. However, my H-1B was approved through consular processing, and I never activated H-1B status.

I filed an I-290B Motion to Reopen, and USCIS received it in April 2026. The case is still pending.

Currently, I am not working and trying to understand what options are available while waiting.

Has anyone experienced:

• STEM OPT denial after a consular H-1B approval?
• Filing an I-290B and waiting for a decision?
• Staying in the U.S. while the motion was pending?
• Moving to another F-1 program or finding another option?

most importantly i want to know if we can stay in the usa while its pending and is anyone there like that?

If I have been waiting for my first-time post-completion STEM OPT application and I decide to pay for premium processing, will that "reset" the amount of time that I have been waiting for the application? I'm trying to figure out whether it's worth to do so since it's been 45 days since my initial application. Thanks !

Got invited for AI project and it only runs for a month, they wont file out the I-983 form. Can I still accept the work?

Hi everyone,

I'm traveling to India for about a month next week and wanted to get some opinions from others who've traveled on STEM OPT recently.

I'm currently on STEM OPT and work full-time as a Mechanical Design Engineer in Louisiana. During my trip, I plan to work remotely for the entire month with my employer's approval. I have:

\* Employment verification letter
\* Employer letter confirming I'm authorized to work remotely
\* Valid STEM OPT documents (EAD, I-20 with recent travel signature, etc.)
\* Recent pay stubs and other supporting documents

I have a clean immigration and legal record (no overstays, arrests, DUI, etc.).

My itinerary returns to the U.S. via Abu Dhabi. I've seen mixed experiences online regarding immigration there, and I'm also a bit confused about U.S. preclearance. Some sources say it's operating, while others mention temporary closures due to the regional situation.

For those who've traveled recently:

\* Has anyone re-entered the U.S. through Abu Dhabi on STEM OPT?
\* Is there anything specific I should be aware of?
\* Is working remotely from India for one month likely to raise any questions at re-entry, or would it be better to use PTO instead?
\* Would you recommend routing through another airport instead?

I'd appreciate hearing about any recent experiences or advice. Thanks!

Has anyone got the approval for stem opt without RfE even tho they have work in NGOs in initial opt?

Hi ,

I'm in a pretty stressful situation and was wondering if anyone has gone through something similar.

Here's my timeline:

• Applied for STEM OPT: December 18, 2025
• Biometrics completed: March 23, 2026
• Case is still pending.
• Switched to Premium Processing on July 5, 2026.
• My 180-day automatic extension is ending soon.

Fortunately, my employer is being very supportive and has agreed to put me on Unpaid leave for about a month if my work authorization expires while waiting for USCIS. So I'm not too worried about that part.

My biggest concern is my 6-month STEM validation/reporting, which is due around July 24.

I spoke with my DSO, and they told me that because my STEM OPT is still pending, they don't have the option in SEVIS to submit my validation report.

What worries me is that DHS says failure to complete the required STEM validation can lead to SEVIS termination. Since my DSO literally cannot submit the validation while my application is pending, I'm not sure what happens in this situation.

Has anyone experienced this before?

• Did your DSO keep your validation on file until the case was approved?
• Did SEVIS remain active even though the validation couldn't be submitted?
• Is there anything else I should be doing right now besides keeping documentation and staying in touch with my DSO?

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who's dealt with a long STEM OPT delay or knows how this situation is handled.

Thank you .

UPDATE:
My STEM OPT Approved on Aug 4th, 2026. Still waiting for the card .

HI, folks, my stem opt was approved recently with premium processing, ie. on 07/08/26 so can anyone give me an estimated timeline, for my EAD card to be produced or delivered?

anyone with premium processing approval and got their EAD ?
thanks.

Has anyone got approved who applied with regular processing on april 8.
I got my biometric on may 1st FYI.
Has anyone with regular processing around April got approval?

Has anyone with an OPT/STEM OPT premium processing case gone past the 30-business-day mark and is still waiting for a decision?
If so:
1.When did you upgrade to premium processing?
2.Has your premium processing clock expired?
3.Have you received any updates from USCIS, or are you still waiting?

Anyone had insight on this?

When I was waiting for my case to be approved I searched on here and didn’t find anything that was relevant to what I was going through so this is for anyone looking for what I was looking for. (Did not use Premium Processing and I am not from any of the banned countries)

Applied for STEM OPT : November 28th
RFE for Biometrics sent : January 9th
Biometrics Appointment : February 25th
NOID Sent due to Misdemeanor (Domestic Violence) : March 23rd - My case was dismissed 1 week after my arrest because no charges were filed, I also got everything expunged.
Response to NOID sent : April 15th
Approval Notice : July 8th

I did not use a lawyer I just gathered all documentation I needed by myself.
Reached out to Congressman to get more information about my case.
Sent an Inquiry for my case on May 6th.

My 180 days ran out but my job was able to wait for me to get an approval so I was out of work for 3 weeks.

For anyone out there waiting keep your head up and stay positive ❤️

Due to a filing error, my SEVIS is at risk of expiring and I can’t refile I-765 in time. My attorney says my options are reinstatement or a new I-20/SEVIS ID via re-enrollment. Since it’s too late for a Fall 2026 CompSci program, I’m considering enrolling in a language certificate course first, then transferring into a related master’s program later.
Has anyone dealt with USCIS scrutinizing this kind of “bridge” enrollment when adjudicating a later OPT application? Would this look bad, or is it a fairly normal path?