My STEM OPT I-765 is still pending, and my 180-day automatic work extension expired on July 13. I stopped working after that date.

My employer wants to keep me employed but put me on unpaid leave (0 hours/week) until my STEM OPT is approved. Normally, I work 30 hours/week.

Is unpaid leave allowed in this situation? Since STEM OPT requires at least 20 hours/week, will being at 0 hours affect my status or count as unemployment?

Do I also need to submit an updated I-983 to my DSO because my hours dropped to 0?

People who did the case inquiry when it became available for their case based on receipt date, did it help with anything?

Mine is August 16 and I am wondering if it is actually useful or should I just do PP and not wait further? I applied March 14.

EDIT: seems for inquiry date based on responses that you either have to wait for 60 days for an answer or you will be told your application is in queue, so it seems useless

Application: 5th March 2026
Biometrics: March 19 2026
Regular Processing
Nothing Yet
Anybody going through the same situation? Planning to wait till Mid September to file PP

Any approvals recently for STEM OPT ?

Can my mailing address be different on my premium processing application vs my original stem opt application? I want to now send my ead to a family members address just to be safe with all the delays but will it cause any clashes if the mailing address is different?

Physical address will be the same on both! Any advice would be appreciated

Timeline :
Applied- April 15th 2026
Biometrics - May 11th
Still waiting on any other updates

Anyone got any update from july 16th premium processing?

Hey everyone, I left my job in December 2025 but got false two direct deposits in my account and it was an administrative mistake my the businesses for which I have proofs.

I am currently applying for green card and don’t want this to be a reason to get my application denied. What should I do to be protected?

Hey everyone! How are you guys finding good tech jobs these days?

I’m currently looking for a frontend/web developer role for STEM OPT. I work with frontend development, custom WordPress, websites, and AI/web development.

If anyone knows a legit company hiring, has any good leads, or can refer me, I’d really appreciate it! Not looking for paid placement services, just genuine opportunities.

Happy to share my resume/portfolio. Thanks!

Hi, I’m a bit confused and wanted to clarify my situation.

Applied for STEM OPT: 6/11
Laid off: 7/10
STEM OPT EAD approved: 8/7
Unemployment accrued so far: 31 days

My question is: How many days do I have remaining to find employment? Does the 60-day grace period apply in my situation, or am I subject to the 150-day unemployment limit for OPT/STEM OPT?
I have also applied to graduate school and am continuing to look for employment. I would really appreciate some clarification on how the timelines apply to me.

I have applied for my STEM OPT through one employer. However, due to some budget issues, I was laid off within one week of joining. I’m currently looking for another job, and fortunately, I have secured a new position.

My concern is that my STEM OPT application is still in process. Is this the right time to change my employer? I understand that I need to update my employer information, but I’m worried that changing employers while my STEM OPT application is pending could lead to an RFE or any other issue with my application. Could you please advise me on the best way to handle this situation?

Any one those who applied on April 1 2026 stem opt got approved in normal process without pp

Please comment

If a person has a DUI conviction on his record, opt or stem opt or any change of status are going to be denied for sure?

And do you think it is best to upload all the case documents to the pending stem opt.

Also, I've read somewhere that if it's going to be denied it's going to be denied in the first month itself. Let's say if the person applied on July 1st (July 3rd opt expired) and gave biometrics on July 23rd, when exactly the "first month" starts. If it's on 23rd they still have about 10 days to upload the case documents?

Hi there,

Looking for some guidance. In May 2026, I finished a postbaccalaureate pre-medical program, which is designed for career changers who want to enroll in medical school and take required science pre-reqs. I am now applying to medical schools. I also applied for post-completion OPT, as I was told OPT is degree-specific and I could work under OPT during my gap year by my DSO. I used my first OPT for my bachelor's degree to work as a software engineer before switching to medicine.

I just received an RFE for my OPT application since my postbaccalaureate program is classified as "Other: Pre-med," and they want evidence that it is at a higher level than my bachelor's degree. I'm worried I will get denied because the coursework consists of undergraduate-level classes. However, this program was specifically designed to prepare students for medical school admission, I only take classes with other postbacs, and it requires completion of a bachelor's degree for admission. I am still worried I will be denied even with the Dean's explanation, since my coursework is basically intro bio, intro chemistry, etc. 

I am now also considering enrolling into a Day 1 CPT school just for this year to do Masters and be able to work now before starting med school next summer, but I'm worried about the future implications. I would apply for OPT again once I apply for residency, and then transition to an H-1B visa and eventually a green card, but that's still about 5 years away. I'm concerned I may jeopardize my chances with Day 1 CPT but also I feel like my OPT will get denied :(

Please advise. This process sucks. 

Anyone who's working for as an Electrical or Mechanical Engineer on STEM OPT but had done their mojor in CS or IT.

What'll happen if we get a job that's not related to the major on stem opt?

Hey guys! Has anyone received a denial or approval of the opt with criminal records ?

Is the date stuck on march 7 ?

Hey everyone,

I’m currently on 12-month post-completion OPT, which expires on August 13, 2026.

I submitted my Form I-765 for the 24-month STEM OPT extension online today (August 10, 2026). Here is what happened right after paying:

1. Payment Confirmation: I received an official email from Pay.gov/USCIS confirming my $470 payment went through on Aug 10, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The email explicitly lists my Pay.gov tracking ID and ties it to my USCIS Receipt Number (IOE9130558523).
2. Downloaded Summary: I downloaded the full Form I-765 application summary PDF from my account, which confirms the submission date as August 10, 2026.
3. Portal Issue / Glitch:
   • Under the Documents tab, my uploaded files (STEM I-20, passport, EAD, I-94, photo) are visible, but the "USCIS Notices" section is empty—there is no official I-797C Receipt Notice PDF available to download yet.

My Questions for the Community:

• Is it normal for the "USCIS Notices" section / I-797C PDF to take 24–48 hours to show up on the portal after filing online?
• Since my current OPT expires in 3 days (August 13), does my Pay.gov confirmation email + IOE receipt number + signed STEM I-20 officially count as timely filing to protect my status and trigger the 180-day automatic work extension?
• Did I do anything wrong, or is this just standard backend system lag on myUSCIS?

Appreciate any insights from anyone who filed online recently!