r/STEM_OPT

Timeline

Type: STEM OPT EXTENSION

Premium Processing: YES

Date Applied:04/23/2026

Request for Initial Evidence : no

Biometrics Completed: 05/14/26

Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): No

Date Approved: 06/29/2026(mail)
Approval updated in portal : 07/01/2026

Date Card Produced: MM/DD/YYYY

Date Card Received: MM/DD/YYYY

Just sharing mine.

Hope everyone gets soon!

I applied for STEM OPT online on 6/3 with premium processing from day one, and I still have not received a biometrics notice.

I called the PP phone line to make sure I hadn't missed anything, and the representative confirmed there were no outstanding notices on my case. They suggested emailing USCIS to inquire about the delay, which I did about a week ago, but I haven't received a response.

A couple questions for those with recent STEM OPT PP timelines:

• I see many applicants (including some without PP) receiving biometrics notices within 1–2 weeks. Has anyone successfully done anything that helped trigger the biometrics notice, or is it really just a matter of waiting?
• I understand the PP clock restarts after biometrics are completed, but should PP applicants expect USCIS to at least issue the biometrics notice within the initial 30 business days? If no notice is issued by then, does that count against the PP guarantee, or is the PP clock effectively paused until biometrics are scheduled/completed?

Would appreciate hearing from anyone with a similar timeline.

OPT end date on 06/26/2026

applied stem on 04/03/2026

Biometrics scheduled on 04/16

Biometrics on 04/24/2026 (Rescheduled it from may)

No update yet.

share your Timeline as well it might help someone.

I filed my STEM OPT extension on 01/08/2026. USCIS scheduled my biometrics appointment for 04/10/2026, and I attended it as required.

After that, my case status changed to "Case Is Still Being Processed By USCIS" and it has remained unchanged since then. My initial OPT EAD expired on 01/23/2026, and my automatic 180-day STEM OPT extension is set to expire on 07/22/2026 if my application remains pending.

I have not upgraded to premium processing yet.

For those who recently received STEM OPT approvals:

• How long did it take after biometrics to get a decision?
• Is anyone else still waiting with the same status?
• At this point, would you recommend paying for premium processing, or should I continue waiting?

Thanks in advance for any advice or shared experiences.

I don’t have a job right now but want to get ready once the job will be here with EAD card. Is it smart to do Premium processing without job offer or should I do normal processing and after job offer do premium processing?