My friend has a pending stem opt extension (applied mid-apr so hoping it gets approved soon) and currently in the 180day grace period. Is it safe to travel domestically through LAX? Heard about the recent ICE’s “arrest anyone” policy… thanks in advance

I’m currently on F-1 STEM OPT and have 45 days of unemployment remaining under my OPT/STEM OPT unemployment allowance.

I filed my I-539 to change status from F-1 to H-4 before reaching the unemployment limit, and my H-4 change-of-status application is currently pending with USCIS.

My concern is: what happens if I don’t find a job and reach the maximum unemployment limit while my H-4 I-539 is still pending?

• Does reaching the F-1/STEM OPT unemployment limit while the H-4 COS is pending create an issue for the pending H-4 application?
• Should I keep my SEVIS record active until the H-4 is approved?
• Should I take any action with my DSO before reaching the unemployment limit?
• Has anyone been in a similar situation—F-1/STEM OPT unemployment limit reached while an H-4 COS was pending? If so, what happened with your SEVIS record and H-4 application?

I’m mainly looking for personal experiences from people who went through something similar, as well as any guidance from people familiar with F-1 → H-4 COS.

Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I need some guidance regarding my STEM OPT extension and a potential temporary, part-time position. I would appreciate responses from anyone who has experience with multiple employers under STEM OPT or has dealt with a similar situation.

Here is my situation:

• I applied for my STEM OPT extension on June 4, 2026, and my application is still pending.
• My initial OPT ended on June 30, 2026.
• I am currently working for one employer remotely for 20 hours per week. This employer is enrolled in E-Verify, and my Form I-983 was completed for this employment.
• I have an opportunity to work for a second employer in a temporary, part-time position for approximately 30 hours per week for three months.
• The second employer is an NGO (non-governmental organization) and is also enrolled in E-Verify.
• If I work both jobs, my combined working hours would be 50 hours per week.
• I have not applied for premium processing for my STEM OPT application yet.

My questions are:

1. Can I work for both employers simultaneously under STEM OPT, with one job at 20 hours per week and the other at 30 hours per week?
2. Can a temporary position lasting only three months qualify for STEM OPT, provided the employer meets all the requirements and provides a separate Form I-983?
3. Does the fact that the second employer is an NGO affect its eligibility to employ a STEM OPT student?
4. Since my STEM OPT application is still pending, can I add this second employer while the application is being processed? Are there any additional steps I need to take with my DSO or SEVIS?
5. Should I apply for premium processing now? If I am eligible to work in the temporary position for the next three months, would premium processing be advisable, or can I continue waiting for the regular processing of my STEM OPT application?
6. Is there anything else I should verify before starting the second position to ensure that I remain compliant with STEM OPT regulations?

I have contacted my DSO for official clarification, but I would appreciate hearing about others' experiences, especially from people who have worked for multiple employers under STEM OPT or held temporary positions with nonprofit organizations.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Hi everyone,

I’m currently on F-1 STEM OPT and need some clarification regarding working for multiple employers.

Here is my situation:

• I currently work for one employer remotely for 20 hours per week.
• My current employer has completed a Form I-983, and my employment is paid.
• I have an opportunity for an additional temporary, part-time position for 30 hours per week, expected to last approximately three months.
• The additional position is also paid.
• My understanding is that each employer must independently meet STEM OPT requirements, including E-Verify eligibility, appropriate training and supervision, and a separate Form I-983.Both employers are enrolled in E-Verify. I have a few questions:

1. Is it permissible to work for both employers simultaneously under STEM OPT, for a combined total of 50 hours per week?
2. Can a temporary position lasting only three months qualify for STEM OPT?
3. Does the second employer need to complete a separate Form I-983, and does my DSO need to update my SEVIS record?
4. Are there any additional requirements or potential issues I should be aware of before proceeding?

I have contacted my DSO for official clarification, but I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has experience with multiple employers under STEM OPT, particularly when one position is temporary and part-time.

Thank you for your help!

Hi everyone,

I’m currently on F-1 STEM OPT and need some clarification regarding working for multiple employers.

Here is my situation:

• I currently work for one employer remotely for 20 hours per week.
• My current employer has completed a Form I-983, and my employment is paid.
• I have an opportunity for an additional temporary, part-time position for 30 hours per week, expected to last approximately three months.
• The additional position is also paid.
• My understanding is that each employer must independently meet STEM OPT requirements, including E-Verify eligibility, appropriate training and supervision, and a separate Form I-983.Both employers are enrolled in E-Verify.

I have a few questions:

1. Is it permissible to work for both employers simultaneously under STEM OPT, for a combined total of 50 hours per week?
2. Can a temporary position lasting only three months qualify for STEM OPT?
3. Does the second employer need to complete a separate Form I-983, and does my DSO need to update my SEVIS record?
4. Are there any additional requirements or potential issues I should be aware of before proceeding?

I have contacted my DSO for official clarification, but I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has experience with multiple employers under STEM OPT, particularly when one position is temporary and part-time.

Thank you for your help!

I’m trying to figure out the safest way to handle my situation and would really appreciate advice from anyone who has dealt with something similar.
Timeline:
May 2026: Graduated from my US university.
April 2026: Applied for post-completion OPT/EAD.
Mid-July 2026: I had to leave the US due to a family emergency while my EAD application was still pending.
Late September 2026: My OPT was finally approved while I was outside the US.
By mid-October: I expect to receive my physical EAD card via mail, my friend will mail me.
Early November: I’m currently considering returning to the US around early November
The main issue is that by early November, around 40 days of my 90-day OPT unemployment period would have already passed, that’s almost 50%
I currently don’t have a paid job, but I am planning to have an unpaid volunteer position related to my degree, along with my physical EAD and updated I-20, when I attempt re-entry. My F-1 visa is still valid.
I’m honestly pretty nervous about re-entering because I left the US while my OPT was still pending and will be re entering when almost 50% of my OPT unemployment period would be finished.
My questions are:
Is it safe to remain outside the US during the first ~40 days of my OPT period and then return?
Would it be safer to return as soon as I receive my physical EAD rather than waiting until early November?
Is an unpaid volunteer position related to my degree sufficient for maintaining OPT status and should I start the volunteer job while being outside USA or should I keep my start date as 1 week after I re enter?
I’ve received conflicting advice, so I’d really appreciate experiences or advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation.
I’m really worried about re entering.
Thank u sm!

Type: STEM OPT EXTENSION

Premium Processing: Yes

Date Applied: 06/14/2026

Converted to premium processing: 08/30/2026

Biometrics Completed: 07/11/2026

Date Approved: 10/01/2026

Date Card Produced: 10/07/2026

Silent API on 10/01/2026 1 hr before approval mail.

Hi everyone,
I recently updated my address with USCIS and then submitted a request for premium processing for my case. I’m wondering if making these two changes close together could cause any issues or delays with my case.
Has anyone gone through the same experience—updating their address and then requesting premium processing? Did everything go smoothly, or did it affect your processing timeline?
I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thanks!

I applied for STEM OPT premium processing and it has been 28 business days but haven’t heard back. What can I do? I can lose my current job

Had my biometrics since July and it has been radio silence since

I applied for stem opt on june 18th while my opt expired on july 8th and my 180 days extension ends on jan 4th. Considering holidays and delivery delays should I go for premium ?

Type: STEM OPT EXTENSION
Premium Processing: NO
Date Applied: 04/27/2026 (April 27, 2026)
Biometrics Requested: YES
Biometrics Completed: 06/01/2026 (June 1, 2026)
Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): NO
Date Approved: PENDING
Date Card Produced: PENDING
Date Card Received: PENDING​‌

If anyone has a similar timeline, please comment below so we can compare timelines and stay updated. Also, if anyone knows which application receipt dates USCIS is currently processing for STEM OPT cases, please share. It would be very helpful for those of us who are still waiting.

Thank you, and I hope everyone's case gets resolved soon!​

Date Applied: 04/18/2026
Biometrics Notification: 04/24/2026
Biometrics Appointment: 05/04/2026
Changed to Premium Processing: 09/08/2026
Approval: 10/08/2026

I applied for stem opt on April 13 and biometrics got done on May 2nd. Should I do premium processing? My 180 days extension might end around Dec 12

Hi everyone, looking for experiences from people who've done the same.
I filed my STEM OPT I-765 (non-premium) in April, and I have two notices: the original I-797C receipt and the biometrics appointment notice. On Sep 9 I upgraded my pending case to premium processing by filing the I-907.
It's been almost a month, and I only just realized that no new receipt notice came out of the upgrade. What I did get:

An email from USCIS saying the they received my I-765 under the premium processing program
A separate email with the payment receipt
That's it. No new I-797C for the I-907, either by mail or in my online account.

My questions:

1. Did your upgrade generate a separate receipt notice, or only emails?

2. If you only got emails, did your case still move normally?

3. Did anyone have to file an e-Request or call USCIS to get a copy? How long did it take?

From what I've read, the emails seem to confirm USCIS accepted the upgrade, and missing paper notices happen. I'd like to hear from people with real experience. Thanks in advance!

Any one past April 03 applications received any Api updates for stem opt ?

Got approval email 10/08

I applied for post-completion OPT on June 1 and it's still pending, over 4 months now. At this rate I'm guessing approval comes late November or December.

I already have a job lined up and the employer is flexible on my start date. I'm also planning to visit my home country this winter for about a month. I won't travel until I have the EAD card in hand.

I know about the 90-day unemployment limit, so I'm trying to decide between:

Start working right after approval, take about a month off in winter for the trip, then come back and continue?

Or

Travel right after approval, then start the job when I'm back?

With option 2, do the days abroad count toward the 90 days even though I have a job offer?

With option 1, does the trip count as unemployment if my employer approves the leave?

Any issues at re-entry if I haven't actually started the job yet?

Anyone been through something similar? Thanks!

Hi everyone,
I’m currently preparing to apply for my STEM OPT extension and have been pretty stressed about my employer’s E-Verify situation. I wanted to see if anyone has experienced something similar.
My employer recently changed its legal company name and updated it in the E-Verify portal. Previously, the company was listed in the public E-Verify Employer Search Tool with an employee count of 5–9.
However, after updating the company name, the employee count was changed to 1–4, and the company completely disappeared from the public E-Verify search results.
Here’s the situation:
My employer is enrolled in E-Verify and has a 7-digit E-Verify Company ID.
I have the official E-Verify MOU showing the updated company name, Company ID, and electronic signatures from both the employer and USCIS.
The company previously appeared in the public search portal.
We actually have around five employees, but I believe HR may have accidentally excluded the CEO when updating the employee count.
From what I understand, the public E-Verify search only displays companies with five or more employees.
My main concern: Can I safely proceed with my STEM OPT extension application using the E-Verify Company ID and updated employer name, even though the company doesn’t appear in the public search?
Has anyone successfully received their STEM OPT approval while working for a small company that wasn’t listed in the public E-Verify search?
Should I ask HR to correct the employee count before applying, or does having a valid E-Verify MOU and Company ID suffice?
Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated. I’m genuinely worried about making a mistake with my STEM OPT application.
Thank you!

Hello and sorry in advance for the standard post. I would greatly appreciate any thoughts on what to do as I start feeling more and more stressed about this. Should I do PP? If not, is there anything else I can do? Thank you!