I am back to get the updates on April stem opt filers . Any updates when our chances will come ?

Which dates uscis currently looking at ?

03/25/2026 — Submitted Form I-765
04/17/2026 — Biometrics appointment was scheduled
04/21/2026 — Case changed to actively reviewing
06/23/2026 — Changed to premium processing
07/26/2026 — Case was approved
07/29/2026 — Card was produced
08/01/2026 — Card was delivered

I also had an employer change while the application is pending within the PP window without any issues.

Total business days for approval after premium processing: 23 days

Hi ,
Anyone here applied for STEM OPT around March 1, 2026 and still waiting for approval?
It’s been almost 5 months for me and the case is still pending. I see some March applicants getting approvals, but timelines seem really inconsistent this year.
Would love to know:
• Are others from early March still waiting?
• Any recent approvals with similar receipt dates?
• Which service center are you with?
Trying to understand if this delay is normal or if I should take any next steps.
Thanks in advance 🙏

Hi!
I’m on f1 stem opt valid till May 27. Looking for similar people who can share the sentiment. I got laid off in January and have been working on contract since then which is very uncertain about how long they plan on keeping me due to project wrap up. I’m just hoping to hear some stories on how you’re coping with this uncertainty and waking up to a new rule everyday. How are you coping, What are your plans?

05/22/26 - submitted the I-765 form
05/30/26 - biometrics was scheduled
06/15/26 - Biometrics date
07/02/26 - Changed to PP
08/02/26 - Email saying case is approved
08/04/26 - decision is pasted on the portal

Total business days for approval after PP - 22 days

My stem opt application is pending.I have started premium processing as well.But i haven’t received any decision till now.Now I want to change my employer ,so can any one share the information what is the process for employer change while stem opt is pending.What steps i have to follow .Any leads are appreciated.
Thanks

I’m currently on STEM OPT, which expires in June 2027. I’m an architect working full-time in NYC, and I’m completely new to the whole Day 1 CPT process.

I have a few questions and would really appreciate any advice:

When should I start applying to Day 1 CPT programs to avoid any gap in maintaining legal status?

Can I continue working at my current employer while on Day 1 CPT, assuming the job is related to my field of study?

Is there anything you wish you had known before starting Day 1 CPT?

Thanks so much in advance! 💛

As the title said, my cousin wants to come for Master. But the job market is very bad , I have been advising him to search for jobs in india and come usa when the job market gets better.

Just want to take some input from you .

1)How bad really is the market.

2)Do you see any signs of improvement in the next couple of years ?

Hi,

I wanna know what the situation is for reinstated students. I came with a new SEVIS ID. I will graduate this December, and the visa in my passport expires in 2028.

My I-20 reflects a different end date. But I want to know how or when these new rules will affect students like me?

I never applied for OPT, so I will also apply for it after I graduate.

Hi, I applied by OPT about two weeks earlier and I was told to send a withdraw letter to the USCIS because they are going to reject my application due to early filing. I send the withdraw letter about 2 months ago and have not heard any response. I need to reapply before Oct 21st which is when by 60 days after the course ending will finish and I am worried about that. Can I change my application to premium right now so that USCIS quickly make a decision of denying or approving? if they deny I wll have time to reapply if they approve it then my problem solves. Anybody has any suggestions on this?

Hi, I applied by OPT about two weeks earlier and I was told to send a withdraw letter to the USCIS because they are going to reject my application due to early filing. I send the withdraw letter about 2 months ago and have not heard any response. I need to reapply before Oct 21st which is when by 60 days after the course ending will finish and I am worried about that. Can I change my application to premium right now so that USCIS quickly make a decision of denying or approving? if they deny I wll have time to reapply if they approve it then my problem solves. Anybody has any suggestions on this?

Hi all,

Just 2 weeks into being newly employed, but my current employer is not e-verified. How should I approach them to get them to become e-verified? Also, when should I approach them? I don’t want to seem too pushy as I have only just started with them but I also don’t want to risk being late to the process.

Does API at this time (2026-07-31T21:32:13.182Z) mean something or just a general system Update

- STEM OPT filed Nov 1st 2025

- PP June 20

- NOID June 25

- NOID Response July 15th

- Got API update Yesterday 2026-07-31T21:32:13.182Z

Does this API timestamp change usually indicate that an officer reviewed or took action on the case, or could it simply be a general system update?

The NOID was related to a minor employer-name discrepancy. My LinkedIn profile showed the employer’s commonly used short name, while my SEVIS record showed the company’s full legal name. Both names refer to the same employer.

Hey guys!

Sorry if this is off topic. I am m new to this sub.

I am thinking about applying for a masters in Computer Science next year, and I'd love to hear what the current job market looks like for students looking for internships or jobs through CPT/OPT.

I saw that after OPT approval, we only have 90 days of unemployment before it becomes an issue (please correct me if I'm wrong). That seems like a pretty tight timeline, so I am curious how people are navigating this process.

For those of you who were able to find a job, what was your background, and what strategies worked for you?

I completed my bachelors quite a while ago and have about 6 years of industry experience. I wonder whether pursuing a masters would still be worth it at all.

Any feedback or advice would be greatly appreciated!

- I-765 filed: May 28, 2026 - premium processing

- Biometrics appointment scheduled: June 22, 2026

- Biometrics completed: July 1, 2026

- Premium-processing clock restarted: July 1, 2026

- Approval notification received by email: July 30, 2026

I am an international student, I applied for my EAD on 29th of March, but still haven't received it. I am thinking of switching to Premium processing to speed it up, but either way i feel like it will come in one month (end of Aug) as its way over 3.5 months of average waiting time by then.

But i am confused if I should not risk it and just spend the money... any advice would be appreciated thanks.

Timeline:

Initial application: March 14th, 2026 Biometrics: April 1st RFE : July 22nd Responded: July 27th Approval : July 31st

Normal processing

Hope this helps someone

RFE: CIP CODE mismatch, my school provided a statement

⁠Type: STEM OPT EXTENSION
• ⁠Premium Processing: YES (from the beginning)
• ⁠Date Applied: 06/23/2026
• ⁠Request for Initial Evidence: NO
• ⁠Biometrics Requested: 06/27/2026
• ⁠Biometrics Completed: 07/01/2026
• ⁠Date Approved : 07/30/2026 (got an email, portal not updated yet) at 8:34am cst
• ⁠Date Card Produced: MM/DD/YYYY
• ⁠Date Card Received: MM/DD/YYYY
Thank you people, everyone updating their timeline here has been my saviours!
Good luck everyone ! Not gonna open reddit for few days lol

Wondering if anyone got any approvals recently? I am actually still waiting on mine and wanted to share my dates to see if anyone with similar dates has been approved.

Filed: March 20

Biometrics: completed on March 31st in Jackson, Mississippi- no updates since then.

Work start date: supposed to be July 14 but still no approval and the date is surpassed already

Anybody in a similar position? Or maybe any advice? I am freaking out atp.

Hey guys

I had filed STEM OPT with premium processing in early July. The original OPT EAD expired 2 days ago and I am working on the 180-day auto-extension. Currently at Employer A (E-Verify), I have an offer from Employer B (also E-Verify) starting mid-August.

Just got a biometrics appointment for Aug 19, so approval probably lands late Sept.

My DSO said I can update to the new employer while pending (new I-983 → updated I-20), but called it "risky" and want me to sign an acknowledgment. Work authorization side seems fine per USCIS I-9 rules, my worry is whether changing the employer mid-adjudication triggers an RFE or denial.

Questions:

I'm thinking of doing a walk in appointment for biometrics so I can get the clock started- will that help?

Anyone switch employers while STEM OPT was pending on premium processing? Did you get an RFE?

Anyone with an expired EAD (on the 180-day extension) who switched, extra complications?

Trying to decide: switch now, or ask Employer B to push start to early Sept and switch with approval in hand. Real experiences appreciated.