u/Slight_Fishing_6784

Hi All,

this my timeline of filing for stem OPT. I want to change jobs (flexible in this since I'm still looking for one), I have to travel to India in December and I have changed my address. (need to update the address but I still have access to previous mail box)

Filed on May 1st 2026

Biometrics on May 21st 2026

OPT ended on 3rd July 2026

My question is:

1. should i do premium processing now? I'm seeing applications are getting approved faster now, is there a point in doing PP if my 4 months mark is next month - 9/21/2026, given I will still need a month (best case scenario) to find another job
2. are premium processing applications also getting delayed?
3. are applications being pending beyond 180 days?

please give any other advice if you can. Thanks in advance

Hi All,

this my timeline of filing for stem OPT. I want to change jobs (flexible in this since I'm still looking for one), I have to travel to India in December and I have changed my address. (need to update the address but I still have access to previous mail box)

Filed on May 1st 2026

Biometrics on May 21st 2026

OPT ended on 3rd July 2026

My question is:

1. should i do premium processing now? I'm seeing applications are getting approved faster now, is there a point in doing PP if my 4 months mark is next month - 9/21/2026, given I will still need a month (best case scenario) to find another job

2. are premium processing applications also getting delayed?

3. are applications being pending beyond 180 days?

please give any other advice if you can. Thanks in advance