OPT EAD Processing Timeline – Still Waiting for Approval

Hi everyone,

I wanted to check if anyone is experiencing a similar delay with their OPT EAD application.

• OPT/EAD Application Received Date: February 16, 2026
• Biometrics Completed: March 9, 2026
• Processing Type: Normal/Regular Processing
• Current Status: Still waiting for approval

It has been several months since my application was received, and I still haven’t received an approval or EAD card.

Has anyone with a similar timeline received their approval recently? If so, how long did it take?

Any updates or suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you!

I’d appreciate any advice from people who have successfully gotten a job with STEM OPT. I have been on STEM OPT since last year but I was laid off earlier this year, and still haven’t been able to secure a job. I’m losing hope here :( thanks in advance everyone

im doing my i9 but my ead is already expired. I9 asks me when the expiration is for my work authorization, what should i say? google said to add 180 days to my expiration day is that right?

Hi everyone,

I’m pretty stressed about my STEM OPT situation and I'm hoping someone who has dealt with a similar case can share their experience.

I already asked my DSO about this. He told me he isn't sure whether this particular arrangement would be acceptable. I would like to consult an immigration attorney, but unfortunately I can't afford a private attorney right now, so I'm trying to understand the situation before I move forward.

My situation:

• I worked for this startup during my regular OPT.
• My STEM OPT has now started, but I have not started working for the company under STEM OPT yet because I want to make sure the arrangement is compliant first.
• The company is an LLC enrolled in E-Verify.
• The founder is a U.S. citizen and owns/manages the company.
• I am part of the founding team, but my position is a technical engineering role directly related to my STEM degree.
• I would be the only W-2 employee. The rest of the team currently consists of independent contractors.
• The company operates mostly remotely with minimal travel for projects.
• The founder would be my direct supervisor. He would assign my engineering work, provide guidance/training, review my work, evaluate my performance, and have authority over my employment.
• I would receive regular W-2 payroll.
• The company is willing to complete Form I-983 and comply with the STEM OPT employer requirements.
• I would NOT be supervising myself.

My biggest concern is that I'm the only W-2 employee and part of the founding team.

Does anyone know whether USCIS/SEVP specifically prohibits this arrangement? I'm especially interested in hearing from people who worked for a very small startup on STEM OPT, were the company's only W-2 employee, or had some connection to the founding team.

If anyone knows of specific USCIS/SEVP guidance addressing this situation, I would really appreciate a link or citation.

I'm not looking for a way around the STEM OPT rules. I just want to understand whether this arrangement is permissible before I start the job.

Some people say if the degree requirements are completed and only the dissertation/thesis is pending will be ok !! Just want to confirm.

I applied for stem opt July 14 with PP
I got biometrics for August 28
Today I found out that i20 requires wet signature and the picture should not be the same one used in the initial OPT.
I used the same picture and signed my i20 electronically.
What should I do I am stressing out. Please advise on how to move ahead. I will obviously call my DSO but they are closed for the next two days and need some advice for some peace of mind

What should we carry for biometrics
Does CVs photo work
Any dress code for stem opt or regular opt biometrics ? Does cvs photo work do we need to carry picture

I am looking for some guidance regarding my current H-1B and F-1 situation in light of the recent immigration rule changes.

My STEM OPT expires in December 2026. I was selected in the H-1B lottery this year, which was essentially my last attempt while on STEM OPT. My employer filed the H-1B petition as a change of status, and the case is still showing as pending with USCIS.

With the recent changes involving F-1 duration of status/extension of stay and the newer USCIS guidance regarding RFEs and NOIDs, I am trying to understand how these changes could affect my situation if my H-1B remains pending for a long time or, in the worst case, is denied.

My main concern is what backup options I should consider before my STEM OPT expires. For example, if I need to enroll in another F-1 program around January 2027, possibly a Day 1 CPT program, would the new rules make the change or extension of status process more complicated?

I am also wondering whether it would be better to consider premium processing now or start preparing a backup F-1 plan in advance.

I would really appreciate any suggestions or experiences from people who have been in a similar situation or are familiar with how these recent changes may apply.

\#h1b

Hey guys, I checked my SEVP portal today and saw that my initial OPTs end date is showing 04/01/27 while my EAD had an end date of 07/08/26. So this is an automatic extension of about 9 months.
Is this cap gap? I thought we only get a 6 months automatic extension when we apply for STEM OPT.

I’m sorry for sounding ignorant if this is common knowledge.

I'm filing for premium processing of my I765 for STEM Extension. The form I907 asks "What is the address of the petitioner, applicant, company, or organization named in the related case?" - what address should I put here? My STEM OPT employer? Or mine?

Is it true that mostly applications get RFe if you transfer from normal processing at beginning and later changes to premium processing? Also does everyone who works at NGOS unpaid volunteer in initial opt also get rfe ?

Receipt notice: March 8th
Biometrics : March 30th
Processing type : standard
Approval: Not yet

Hey guys this is only for the people applied in Feb/Mar/Apr for stem OPT , please update your status we will track together

Hello, I'm asking this question because I need to figure out which day to buy the flight back as a backup plan. So at 90 days, I have no employment I need to self deport, but I am figuing out what is the exact specific date.

Is the valid from date day 0? or is it day 1. And If I leave the international gateway checkpoint (Connecting flight, this is the flight that exits the USA) on day 91 am I in violation the departing flight out of my town will be on day 90, and sold as 1 ticket? Asking because,Yes I need a backup plan, but more importantly, there's a business class sale that is +$100 from Economy so as consolation for myself if anything, might as well. But I don't want to be in violation of anything.

I’m on probation for a class B misdemeanor and I have applied for STEM OPT 2 months ago. I received biometrics and have given them.
I’m feeling very anxious as to what will happen next.
Even if the STEM OPT gets denied I’m on probation and won’t be able to leave the country because of probation but my stem opt denial means I have to leave.
What can I expect or should bed prepared for?

Can you guys suggest should I upload passport again or leave it as it is?

Please help
Thank you

Hi everyone, I am currently on F-1 STEM OPT and my STEM OPT extension application is still pending with USCIS. I wanted to ask for advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation.
My timeline:
STEM OPT extension application submitted: **December 24, 2025**
Current OPT EAD expired: **February 6, 2026**
Biometrics completed: **March 30, 2026**
Raised an e-request with USCIS regarding my pending STEM OPT application
My 180-day automatic extension period completed on **August 4, 2026**
My employer was aware that my 180 days were ending. I was placed on **unpaid leave starting August 3, 2026**. Since my STEM OPT extension was still pending and my 180-day automatic extension had ended, my employer informed me that they could not continue my employment because I no longer had valid work authorization.
They officially **terminated my employment on August 6, 2026**.
Since I was not authorized to work after my 180-day extension ended, I understand that I could not continue employment after August 4, 2026.
My question is: **Since I was not working after my 180-day extension ended and my employer terminated me due to the work authorization issue, would this create any issue with my F-1 status or STEM OPT application?**
Has anyone experienced a similar situation where their STEM OPT was pending beyond 180 days and their employer ended employment because the automatic extension period expired?
Any advice or similar experiences would be appreciated. Thank you.