OPT premium processing still pending close to 30 days, job starts June 1. What should I do?
Hey everyone,
I wanted to ask for advice because I’m really stressed about my OPT/EAD timeline.
I applied for my initial post-completion OPT around March 18, 2026, and I already completed biometrics. Later, I upgraded my I-765 to premium processing on April 25, 2026. Since then, my USCIS account only shows that my case was changed to premium processing and that the premium processing clock started on April 25.
I have not received any real update or approval yet. I also have not received a separate notice in the mail or online, other than the email/status update saying premium processing started. When I contacted USCIS, they said the email/status update was basically the notice and that there were no further updates.
My job offer has a start date of June 1, 2026, and I’m getting nervous because it is almost 30 days since premium processing started. I know I cannot start working until I physically have the EAD and the start date is valid, so I’m trying to figure out what my next steps should be.
I’m an F-1 student and I just graduated. This is my first OPT, not STEM OPT. I’m just trying to understand what others have experienced and what steps are realistic right now. Thank you so much.