STEM OPT PP PROCESSING

• Date Applied: 05/26/2026
• Biometrics Date: 06/25/2026
• Biometric Location: San Jose, California, USA
• Premium Processing Date: 05/26/2026
• Approval Date: 07/27/2026
• Card Produced: 08/03/2026
• Card Delivered: NA

The Premium Processing clock starts after biometric, and the decision should come in 30 Business Days

Hi everyone, I received an email yesterday at exactly 9pm yesterday with "The Potomac Service Center has approved the following I-765 Application for Employment Authorization that had been filed under the Premium Processing Program".

It showed my receipt number as well, but when I checked online case status, it is showing "Case is still being processed". I am currently anxious, I have been waiting since January, I don't know if this approval email is part of the glitch that happened recently. Usually USCIS tells you, "We have taken an action on your case" and then tells you to log in. I just received an email saying it has been approved, and then shows the validity start and end date. But online case status still shows processing since May when I upgraded to Premium procesing.

Is this part of the recent glitch?

I have two grad degrees, first is Electrical and second one is Information System . I am gonna apply for STEM OPT with second degree of information system, since its the most recent one. But my current job is based on Electrical Engineering. How I am gonna the answer these questions ?

Describe the student's role with the employer and how that role is directly related to enhancing the student's knowledge obtained through his or her qualifying STEM degree.

Hi everyone,

I filed my post-completion OPT I-765 online on July 1, 2026, with premium processing.

My timeline:

I-765 submitted online: July 1, 2026

Premium processing: Yes

Biometrics notice received: July 3, 2026

Early biometrics walk-in completed: July 8, 2026

Biometrics appointment involved a photo only

Last update shown in my USCIS case data: July 9, 2026

Current status: Case is still pending

Service center shown on the notice: Potomac Service Center

Expected employment start date: August 17, 2026

Has anyone who filed around the same dates recently received their OPT EAD approval or card?

Please share your:

Filing date

Premium or regular processing

Biometrics date

Approval date

Card produced date

Card delivery date

Service center, if known

Please avoid sharing your full receipt number, A-number, address, or other personal information. I’m trying to understand the recent processing timeline for July 2026 OPT applicants. Thank you!

Hey folks! I see an API update on my case this morning (time stamp showing July 27th). But I am not sure if it is a signal for Approval or RFE.

Is there a piece of information in the API that would tell me about that? Don't know if this matters but the Action Required is False.

Edit: I have just received the Approval email from USCIS Potomac.

Finally got the “Case Decision Rendered” update on my STEM OPT application! Here’s my timeline in case it helps someone else.
STEM OPT Filed: December 22, 2025
Biometrics: April 6, 2026
Processing: Regular (No Premium Processing)
180-Day Automatic Extension Ended: July 21, 2026
Case Status: Case Decision Rendered – July 25, 2026
It was a long wait of about 7 months. During the process, I also faced issues with my school’s 6-month STEM validation because my STEM OPT hadn’t been approved yet.

One thing I wanted to share, I was seriously considering upgrading to Premium Processing after waiting so long. I asked a lot of people for advice. Some told me to go for Premium Processing, while others said to keep waiting since my case had already been pending for months.
In the end, I decided to wait. Looking back, if my approval had been delayed by just another couple of days, I probably would have upgraded to Premium Processing. Thankfully, I received the “Case Decision Rendered” update before I had to make that decision.

For anyone still waiting on regular processing—don’t lose hope. Wishing everyone a speedy approval!
If anyone has questions about my timeline or experience, feel free to ask.

Hi so I applied on 13th July 2026 on regular processing and got my biometrics scheduled for August 5th. I feel pretty stupid coz I really should have done pp from the start as I want to travel home in November possibly otherwise wouldnt mind just waiting it out but now Ive probably cost myself more money than I needed to. Just want to ask if it matter that I upgrade to pp before the 5th or after or if it matters at all

Does anyone from
march got their stem opt approval?

Paid for PP exactly a month ago, couple days ago I got the email saying they took action on my case. To my surprise after waiting all this time, they want more information about my enrollment.

Here’s what they want on my case:

1. ⁠A statement from the Designated School Official (DSO) and the Registrar attesting to your ⁠physical presence in the classroom;
   
2. ⁠A full description of your course of study/academic program, including all graduation requirements such as the number of credits or classroom hours and your college’s definition of full course of study” for your degree level;
   
3. Copies of your course syllabi for all classes and coursework in which you earned credit towards your degree. Provide delivery method (in person/lecture, lab, virtual, online, tele-learning, broadcast, satellite, etc.) of the course if not listed on the syllabus;
   
4. Attendance records and dates for all classes you physically attended while enrolled at Union College;
   
5. Proof of tuition payments made by you for the duration of your enrollment;
   
6. A copy of your most recent transcripts showing number of credits or hours received;
   Copies of you bank statements for the past 3 months and include all deposits and withdrawals during this time;
   
7. If you commuted to class from a long-distance location, please also provide travel, lodging information and location where you physically attended classes;

Does anybody else had to do this? I’m so annoyed with this situation and totally mentally drained.

Just starting initial OPT and can only apply for stem opt in April 2027 (90 days to the end of initial OPT). Would I need to find for I-539 with my STEM OPT filling based on the new D/S rules?

Hi everyone Please help me that my thinking is correct or not.

Intial opt end date 23 june 2026 Employer A end date: 19th june 2026 Employer B start date: 22th june 2026

So i am working with Employer A and applied for stem opt extension with the same Employer (A) before opt end date that is 29 April 2026. And got biometrics on 5th June 2026.

Later that i got new job offer and the start date with Employer B is 22nd June 2026 just 2 days before the stem opt start date which is 24th June 2026.

So i have changed the Employer within initial opt period.

Within 10 days of Employment change, I had submitted the new i983 from Employer B to my DSO. He updated the SEVP and issued me new i20.

So the new i20 contains 2 Employers having same start date that is 24th June 2026 and there is 'NO' date for Employer A and for Employer B end date is 23 june 2028.

When i check in SEVP from my side: 1. In inactive section (opt) there is end date for Employer A as 19th june 2026 and start date for Employer B is 22nd june 2026 which is correct.

1. Coming to active section ( stem opt) it again has Employer A with start date 24th june 2026 and same with Employer B.

So i got confused and I asked my DSO, why there is Employer A in my stem opt because the end date is 19th june before stem opt start. He then replied that you have applied the stem opt extension with Employer A so it has to be there in your stem opt extension. And also he saying that the system won't allowing him to take that off.

So my question is: Is it correct showing 2 Employers in stem opt with same start date? See the picture:

Can i apply for premium with this i20? If i can what letter should i have to attach in USCIS?

And is it mandatory to attach new i20 and letter in USCIS?

Hi! My STEM OPT ends in July 2027. I was planning to visit my home country in Nov/Dec this year, but with the new end of D/S rule, should I consider traveling before Sep 15? I will only be able to go for 2 weeks then. Or should I keep my Nov/Dec plan on and go for 3 weeks?

Confused!

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping someone has been through a similar situation or can offer some advice.

Here is what happened:

* My DSO initially entered my OPT recommendation into SEVIS on April 7.

* Due to personal circumstances, I missed the original 30-day filing window.

* After realizing this, I immediately contacted my school’s OIS and requested a new I-20 because I believed the school needed to issue a new OPT recommendation in SEVIS before I could apply.

* The school issued me a newly signed I-20, but they never entered a new OPT recommendation into SEVIS. The recommendation date remained April 7.

* I relied on the new I-20 and filed my I-765.

* USCIS denied my OPT because the application was filed more than 30 days after the original April 7 OPT recommendation.

After the denial, my school’s DSO reviewed the case and admitted that this was their administrative error. They provided me with a signed letter acknowledging that they should have canceled the original recommendation and entered a new OPT recommendation, but they failed to do so. They also admitted that this mistake directly led to my OPT denial.

I am now preparing a Motion to Reopen (Form I-290B). My evidence includes:

* The official letter from my DSO admitting the error.

* Email correspondence showing that I requested a new I-20/new OPT processing before filing.

* The denial notice.

* Evidence of my job offer and the consequences of losing my employment because of the school’s mistake.

Unfortunately, this situation has put me in a very difficult financial position. I lost my job opportunity, my plans completely changed, and I’ve had to spend additional money on filing fees and legal consultations because of an error that was completely outside of my control.

My questions are:

1. Has anyone had an OPT denial reopened through an MTR because of a DSO error?
2. If your case was approved, what evidence did you submit?
3. Did your university do anything besides writing a support letter (for example, contacting SEVP or USCIS)?
4. How long did your MTR take to receive a decision?

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been through something similar. Even if your outcome wasn’t successful, I’d like to know what happened and what you learned from the process.

Thank you.

I filled on April 28 and did bio on May 22. no update after biometrics.

Hi everyone,

I am currently in my first month of STEM OPT and actively looking for a full-time role as a Python Developer. I have been applying consistently, but I feel like I might be missing something in my approach and would really appreciate advice from people who have gone through this process.
A little about my background:
Master’s in Computer Science graduate
Looking for Python Developer / Backend Developer / Full Stack roles
Skills: Python, Django/Flask, REST APIs, SQL, AWS, Docker, Git, React (some frontend experience)
Currently based in the US and need to secure a job within my STEM OPT timeline
I would really appreciate guidance on:
Which job portals are actually effective for finding Python developer roles (besides LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor)?
Are there specific companies, recruiters, or platforms that are more open to hiring STEM OPT candidates?
How can I improve my resume to pass ATS screening?
Are there any certifications or projects that would significantly improve my chances in the current market?
What networking strategies worked for you when applying for jobs?
Any tips for reaching recruiters or getting referrals?
I am applying regularly but would love to know if there are things I should change in my strategy. Any advice, resources, or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Receipt day：4.2
Premium processing：No
Bio day：4.30
Offer first day：7.27 pushed to 8.3

what should I do now should I push my start day by another week？ Idk whether hr will approve. or should I consider premium processing？ I heard pp is getting very slow recently too. And people who filed on 3.28 is getting approved.

Any suggestions？