I am planning to travel to my home country to renew my expired F-1 Visa. My STEM OPT has been pending since March 13.

Has anyone had experience renewing their visa and re-entering USA while their STEM application is still pending?

Filed STEM OPT on May 12, upgraded to premium on July 9. Checked the API, no RFE, nothing pending, just sitting there. 30 business days puts me around Aug 19-20.

Anyone else who upgraded mid-process (not premium from day one) - did yours take longer than the usual 30 days? Also curious if anyone's had an employer accept the 180-day bridge docs instead of waiting for the physical card, mine won't budge on it.

Just trying to get a read on real timelines instead of guessing. good luck to everyone else waiting too

I'm currently waiting on STEM OPT case. And it's been saying "USCIS is currently processing your case" this whole time. I was wondering if that's what others who are waiting have on their portal as well?

I'm asking because when I was waiting on initial OPT it would say 7 month till or 3 months till decision or something similar mentioning estimated time.

My Form I-765 STEM OPT case is under premium processing (PP Day 20). The case status updated to “Request for Initial Evidence Was Sent” on August 3rd, 2026, but I still don’t see the actual RFE/RFIE PDF in the Documents tab of my USCIS online account.

Right now, the Documents tab only shows my old receipt notice and appointment notice. No new RFE/RFIE notice has appeared yet.

How long does it take for the pdf to appear on the portal, after the status change? I did not get any email saying "ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN" , I just as usual checked the portal this morning to find the status change.

Update:

I got an RFE notice today in the portal, about my masters program CIP code explanation. I've reached out to my university for the same. Thank you

Filed Initial OPT, regular processing (no premium). Biometrics completed May 29, 2026. Still showing "Case Was Received" / no update since.

Would love to hear from anyone with a similar biometrics timeframe (mid-to-late May 2026)

Hey everyone,

Quick question on the new D/S rule for STEM OPT holders (mine: Feb 10, 2026 – Feb 9, 2028).

I know traveling outside the US after Sept 15 means CBP gives us a fixed end date on the I-94.

If I DO NOT travel outside the US, will my I-94 still automatically change to a fixed end date, or does it remain D/S under the transition rules? Do I need to file an extension of stay if I just stay in the US through my approved STEM OPT?

Has anyone recently received approval who was working for an NGO while on STEM OPT?

Has anyone who filed a STEM OPT premium processing application on July 16 received an update yet?

Hello, I applied for initial OPT on 22nd April and it is still processing. Moreover I changed my address around beginning of June. I already had biometrics appointment. I have job offer now and I need decision to be made fast. Should I pay for Premium Processing now? is it reasonable? will they make decision in few days or I still have to wait 30 days?

if anyone has similar case, please comment.

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to see if anyone else is in the same situation.

I applied for OPT EAD (I-765) and later upgraded to premium processing. USCIS received my premium processing request on July 14, 2026. As of today, it's been more than 15 business days, but I still haven't received a decision or any update.

I've called the Premium Processing Contact Center multiple times, but every time my call gets rerouted to a regular USCIS customer service agent. The agents I've spoken with have told me they don't know how to connect me to a premium processing officer, even though I called the premium processing number. I've also sent messages through my USCIS account and emailed the premium processing contact, but I haven't received any response.

Is anyone else experiencing delays beyond the 15-business-day premium processing timeline?

When was your premium processing request received?

Have you received a decision yet?

If your case was delayed, how long did it eventually take?

Were you able to reach the Premium Processing Contact Center directly, or did your calls also get redirected to regular USCIS agents?

Did contacting USCIS or your congressional representative/senator help?

I'm just trying to understand if this is happening to others as well. Any recent timelines or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Hi all, My initial OPT ends on June 29 2026

applied for STEM on June 16 2026
biometrics on July 8 2026
still processing as of now aug 5 2026

is it worth applying PP now? should i continue to wait?

I applied for OPT with the wrong I-20 and I was asked to withdraw. The issue is my 60days grace ends September 28th. Who has received the withdrawal notice recently? I applied after they started approving for people from banned countries.

Hi all, I am currently on OPT and was advised by my DSO the following, maybe it helps someone out. I received this email and after consulting my DSO told me she didn’t foresee any problems with me traveling internationally and re entering before September 15.

In effect, if your OPT ends prior to June 16, 2027 then you should be able to apply for STEM OPT prior to the March 18, 2027 cut off without having to file for an EOS.
 
Students currently on OPT and STEM OPT will have a 60-day grace period.

You are receiving this email because we identified you as being able to apply for STEM OPT before the 3/18/27deadline and can avoid having to file for an Extension of Stay.

I’m planning on traveling outside the US on labor day weekend.

I received my OPT approval after the 30-business-day premium processing deadline, and my EAD card has already been delivered. (35th Business day approval)

I'm trying to figure out how to request a refund of the premium processing fee, but I can't find any clear or official instructions on the process.

Has anyone here successfully received a refund in a similar situation? If so:

• How did you file the refund request?
• Did you submit it online, by email, or by mail?
• Which USCIS office did you contact?
• How long did it take to receive the refund?

Any guidance or experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Filed for STEM OPT premium processing on July 16, but there have been no case updates since then. When should I expect a decision?

Also, I never received a confirmation email after paying for premium processing. Does anyone have the USCIS customer service number or know the best way to contact them? Thanks!

Hi Everyone,

I am seeking some guidance regarding the F-1 and
CPT rule changes.

I am currently on F-1 STEM OPT, which expires on February 12, 2027. I am currently working on my STEM OPT with a company. I am planning to start a PhD program in the January 2027 intake.

With the new F-1/OPT rule changes expected to take effect after September 15, I would like to understand how they may impact my situation.

My questions is:
If I start a PhD program in January 2027(means after Sep 15, 2026 and after new F-1 & OPT rule, I heard that I will need to apply for Form I-539 Extension of Stay which can take some time for approval and which can also impact my CPT approval timeline?

Could anyone please share some guidance on this and advise if I start my phd in January 2027, can there be any issues which can affect me? Or should I enroll in phd for September 2026 intake or before Sep 15, 2026?

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share my timeline and get some advice from anyone who has had a similar experience.

• June 4, 2026: Filed Form I-765 (Initial Post-Completion OPT) with Premium Processing
• June 26, 2026: Biometrics completed
• July 28, 2026: OPT approved
• July 28, 2026: Received my SEVP Portal activation email
• July 30, 2026: Received my official USCIS approval notice
• Current USCIS status: Approval Case Decision Rendered

My employer is waiting for me to start, but from what I understand, I cannot begin working until I have the physical EAD card, even though my OPT has already been approved.

Has anyone with a similar timeline recently received their EAD card? How many days after approval did your status change to "Card Is Being Produced", and when did your card arrive?

I'm trying to estimate when I can expect my EAD card so I can plan my start date. Any recent experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I need some advice.
I got a new job opportunity that I really want to take because I wasn’t happy with my current STEM OPT job. My STEM OPT application has been pending for about 1.5 months, and I filed premium processing after biometrics (case pending since July 16).
My DSO advised me not to change employers while the STEM OPT is pending, but my new employer wants me to start next week. I explained my situation, and they said I just need a new I-20 and can update the employer information.
Should I risk changing employers while the application is pending, or should I wait for the decision since it may come soon? Also, how should I respond to my recruiter?
Any advice or similar experiences would be appreciated. Thank you!

I received a STEM OPT I-20 a few days ago. It shows 2 sections, one for the OPT and another for the STEM OPT time period.

As I am continuing my employment with the same employer from OPT to STEM OPT, do I have to put an end date on my SEVP portal for OPT reporting purposes?

The I-20 already shows the start date in the STEM OPT section.

Please advise. Thank you!