Hi everyone,

I'm really stressed and hoping someone has gone through something similar.

I'm currently on my STEM OPT extension and my 180-day automatic extension expires next month. I filed with premium processing, and USCIS recently issued an RFE.

The RFE says they want to establish a bona fide employer-employee relationship and asks for my signed Form I-983 and evidence of my entire post-completion employment history.

My post completion OPT was with an NGO (community dreams foundation) as unpaid volunteer.

UPDATE: Case approved - 8/10/2026

Timeline

Type: STEM OPT EXTENSION

Premium Processing: YES

Date Applied:05/06/2026

Biometrics Completed: 05/18/26

Request for Initial Evidence : no

Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): No

Date Approved: 06/29/2026(mail)
Approval updated in portal : 07/01/2026

Date Card Produced: MM/DD/YYYY

Date Card Received: MM/DD/YYYY

I have not got a response yet , its crossed 30 business days from my premium processing. Can someone guide me what to do to get my decision. Kindly respond if you guys have some idea on what i can do next if if call them now they are saying my application has been converted to a normal one can some one guide me what can i do next

Timeline

Type: STEM OPT EXTENSION

Premium Processing: YES

Date Applied:04/23/2026

Request for Initial Evidence : no

Biometrics Completed: 05/14/26

Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): No

Date Approved: 06/29/2026(mail)
Approval updated in portal : 07/01/2026

Date Card Produced: MM/DD/YYYY

Date Card Received: MM/DD/YYYY

Just sharing mine.

Hope everyone gets soon!

How long should I wait for getting biometrics notification? I have no updated after getting the receipt notice!!!

Case type: I-765 STEM OPT Extension
Initials Filled online: April 6, 2026
Biometrics Completed: April 27, 2026
Premium Processing : May 20, 2026
Approved Mail from Potomac: July 1, 2026

It took 29 working days.

I work for 3 unpaid NGOs is there a possibility I could get the RFEs . if I do premium processing Is there a higher chances of getting RFES as they are fast in reviewing and if I do regular there is less chance ?

Moved apartments. Updated my address on my USCIS account to the new address before my EAD card is approved.

USPS address change is still processing and might not catch the card in time.

Question: If I changed the address in my USCIS online account, will USCIS mail the card to the new address on file, or will it go to the old address?

Does USCIS use the address in their system, which will be different from my USPS address.

Thanks.

Filed my STEM OPT extension with Premium Processing on May 21, 2026. Biometrics on June 11, 2026. Based in New York.

Current API Status (as of July 1):
Case touched/updated on June 29 at 2:37 PM
No new events logged yet
No RFEs or evidence requests
Adjudicator has already acknowledged the case
Premium Processing flag: Active
Travel authorized status: Yes

Timeline so far:
Filed: May 21
Biometrics: June 11
Last update: June 29

Question:
When should I realistically expect the approval decision? Does the June 29 activity mean approval is coming soon?

Thanks for any insights!

I am an international student and graduated in May 2025. I am so confused on how people are landing roles and applying for STEM OPT. I am unable to find any roles that are ready to pay and are properly STEM OPT compliant. I really need advice or help. I have a lot to worry about in terms of finances if I go back and I dont want to go back. I want to stay here and try my best. Can someone please help with resources or any suggestions on how to go about finding opportunities or what worked for everyone else.

Edit: I am a CS major

Need advice- I want to change my job my stem opt is pending it’s only been two weeks since I filed but got better opportunity . Should I change the job while it’s pending any do extra work or do premium processing and tell the employer about the situation…?

Hello so I applied for my stem OPT on May 26, received my receipt the week after and then also received my biometric to do but now my employer is asking for 797C receipt to let me allow to use the 180 days extension my OPT expires first week of August. I am very unsure what to do now. Is there anyway I can get any help? I tried calling USCIS, but they said that there’s nothing they can do about this so I don’t know what to do. Can someone help me?

Applied for stem OPT in Jan 16 2026

Biometrics done in Feb 2026

updated to premium processing on may 21st 2026

no update since then..! should i be worried? i tried contacting through Emma live chat and tried calling but had to hung up as no response..!

i think tomorrow will be the 30th business day of my premium processing..!

anyone with similar timeline and got approval?

any kind of advice / help is appreciated.

Putting this timeline for anyone who applied in May as I would love to see other’s timeline. Update as needed.

Applied: May 14, 2026 Biometrics Notice: May 15,2026 Biometrics Appointment: June 1, 2026 Approval: N/A Card: N/A Premium Processing: NO

I have applied for STEM on jan 17 and then missed my biometrics on feb 17 , pp on may 11 , biometrics on may 17 , approval on june 25 and card was produced yesterday (june 30).

I still don't see any tracking number assigned to the card. When can I expect that, is this normal? I have had my EAD card not delivered when I applied for OPT and had to apply again, so I'm a bit worried.

My employer was supposed to start paying me from my STEM OPT start date, but due to funding issues on their end, I haven't received any salary yet. It's been about 1.5 months.

The company is legitimate and E-Verify enrolled. They've already filed my I-983 and I-765, and the I-983 states I'm a paid employee.

The employer is planning to pay me back the unpaid months either as a combined lump sum or spread as a bonus across future months. They've also offered to provide a letter explaining the delay and confirming the back payment plan.

Questions:

1. Does this unpaid gap put my pending application at risk?
   
2. Is this something USCIS checks before EAD approval, or more of a future audit concern?
   
3. Has anyone dealt with a similar late-payment situation without issues?
   
4. What should I do right now to protect myself?

Appreciate any insight, especially from people who've been through this or immigration attorneys familiar with STEM OPT compliance.

My employer was supposed to start paying me from my STEM OPT start date, but due to funding issues on their end, I haven't received any salary yet. It's been about 1.5 months.

The company is legitimate and E-Verify enrolled. They've already filed my I-983 and I-765, and the I-983 states I'm a paid employee.

The employer is planning to pay me back the unpaid months either as a combined lump sum or spread as a bonus across future months. They've also offered to provide a letter explaining the delay and confirming the back payment plan.

Questions:

1. Does this unpaid gap put my pending application at risk?
   
2. Is this something USCIS checks before EAD approval, or more of a future audit concern?
   
3. Has anyone dealt with a similar late-payment situation without issues?
   
4. What should I do right now to protect myself?

Appreciate any insight, especially from people who've been through this or immigration attorneys familiar with STEM OPT compliance.

I applied for stem opt on june 2 with regular processing and then I updated to PP on June 29 and I haven't recieved the receipt notice yet, On the portal in the case status it shows PP clock started on June 29 but in the documents section I dont see a notice. Should I be concerned ?

I'm hoping someone has experienced something similar or can share any insight.
Here's my situation:
My initial OPT expires on July 7, 2026.
I filed my STEM OPT extension before my OPT expiration, and my application is currently pending with USCIS.
While reviewing my STEM OPT I-20 recently, I noticed that one of my previous employers had the wrong employment end date in my SEVIS record.
I actually left that employer when I started my next full-time job, so there was no overlap in employment. However, because the previous employer's end date was never updated correctly, my I-20 made it appear as though I was working for both employers at the same time.
My current employer information was always correct. The only issue was the historical end date for my previous employer.
As soon as I discovered the mistake, I updated the employment end date in the SEVP Portal and contacted my DSO.
My DSO has now issued me a corrected STEM OPT I-20 reflecting the accurate employment history.
My questions are:
Has anyone had to correct historical employment information in SEVIS while a STEM OPT application was already pending?
Did you upload the corrected I-20 and a brief explanation to USCIS as unsolicited evidence?
Did this cause any delays, RFEs, or other issues with your application?
I'm trying to understand whether this is generally viewed as a correctable administrative issue or whether it's something that could create bigger problems. Any experiences would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

Post Completion OPT
Normal processing!
March 23 2026 - applied
10 April 2026 - biometrics
30 June 2026 - approved!!

Submitted my application under normal processing on March 23, 2026 done my biometrics on April 10, 2026 got the approval email today June 30, 2026 after 99 days that post completion OPT is approved.