OPT Premium Processing Runs Past 30 Business Days With No Answer
19 posts across 2 communities in the last 90 days; 95% from r/USCIS.
“I submitted my USCIS application to extend my STEM-OPT authorisation with premium processing. However, I only received my biometrics notice after about 20 days of submitting my application. My biometrics date was almost exactly a month after I submitted the application, and I…”
“Hi everyone, My I-765 OPT has been under premium processing since July 17, and today is day 21 with no updates. My status still says "Premium Processing Clock Was Started" and "We do not currently need anything from you." No RFE. My employer already postponed my August 3 start…”
“Curious if anyone is getting their case approved lately? I’m so fed up with waiting, also has anyone ever got their case rejected despite using premium processing?”
Applicants are facing significant challenges with US immigration processes, including delays in OPT/STEM OPT premium processing and unexpected student visa rejections. This highlights frustration with bureaucratic hurdles and inconsistent application of rules.
SOURCES (22)
“If anyone has got an idea for what is happening, I would greatly appreciate your sharing it, thanks. Additional info: another Redditor has a similar timeline to me (responded to RFE 10/14) and their case does show up in online filing for I-907. Additional info…”
“I wanted to share an update that might help others going through a similar situation. I contacted my senator’s office regarding my pending I-129 petition, which was filed with Premium Processing. Today, I received a response from the senator’s office, including a letter from USCIS confirming that my Premium Processing fee has been refunded and that my case is now being handled under regular processing timelines instead of Premium Processing. Just wanted to share my experience in case it helps so”
“Filed I-539 (change of status) concurrently with I-907 (premium processing) on 10/29/2025, under TPS, switching to F-1 (STEM PhD). NOID issued 12/15/2025, response submitted 1/13/2025. Fee refunded 4/30/2025 (case is still under premium processing). Texas Service Center. I’ve been trying to contact the premium processing line for months. I’ve only been able to speak to live agents a handful of times, but none were with the premium processing line (I called the premium processing line), they just”
“I applied June 1st regular processing. Was supposed to start my job September 1st. Has anyone applied around that time? I saw that some people who applied in April are still waiting submitted by /u/ykrupnik [link] [comments]”
“Hey everyone, hoping for some insight here. I applied for my OPT through USCIS on June 10. I recently got a job offer that needs me to start sooner than my original timeline allowed, so I filed for premium processing on August 13 to speed things up. After that, I realized my passport (my only form of ID since I don’t have a state ID) had only a couple of months of validity left, so I went ahead and applied for a passport renewal too since I had to move for work and I didn’t have any other travel”
“Asking for a friend She was terminated from Microsoft on Aug 21. She is currently on STEM OPT and her cap-subject H-1B COS is pending in premium processing with an Oct 1 start date. Has anyone been in a similar situation? Is it worth asking Microsoft to extend her official employment date by a few weeks or delay withdrawing the H-1B petition? If they won’t, can a new employer somehow use this year’s H-1B selection/petition, or will she back to the lottery? Would really appreciate advice from any”
“hi, i applied for my initial opt with premium processing on May 14, 2026 and got approved late July. I received my card last week but because it’s way past the guaranteed 30 business days, I tried to call them to ask a refund which they didn’t want to. But since I paid with my credit card, I dispute the charge because I didn’t receive the service I was guaranteed to get. But then I just got a notification from USCIS saying my case is rejected due to failed payment and I have to wait a package of”
“Hi all, Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask. I'm currently on an F1 requesting an OPT. My I-765, Application for Employment Authorization was submitted on June 4, 2026, and on July 1st, at the behest of my future employer, I paid for premium processing. On MyUSCIS I see the following: Premium Processing Clock Started for My Case July 7, 2026 We are currently processing your Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. We do not currently need anything from you. July 7, 2026 We c”
“I submitted my USCIS application to extend my STEM-OPT authorisation with premium processing. However, I only received my biometrics notice after about 20 days of submitting my application. My biometrics date was almost exactly a month after I submitted the application, and I got a notice saying the Premium Processing Clock just started. The Premium Processing service provides a 30 day response, but it looks like here that is not being met. I can't find any information online about a this ki”
“Hi everyone, My I-765 OPT has been under premium processing since July 17, and today is day 21 with no updates. My status still says "Premium Processing Clock Was Started" and "We do not currently need anything from you." No RFE. My employer already postponed my August 3 start date because I'm waiting for my EAD. Has anyone else's premium processing taken this long? Did your case go straight from no updates to approval/card production? Should I be worried, or is this”
“Curious if anyone is getting their case approved lately? I’m so fed up with waiting, also has anyone ever got their case rejected despite using premium processing? submitted by /u/Negative_Escape_3673 [link] [comments]”
“Hi everyone! Has anyone here received a Premium Processing fee refund notice for their I-765 OPT case and then later received their approval/EAD ? How long after receiving the refund notice did you get approved? submitted by /u/Marivii [link] [comments]”
“Hi. I applied for initial OPT on February 27. I am a national of the 39 banned countries and four month later, I still hadn’t received a decision so I upgraded to premium processing on July 11. However, besides indicating that I upgraded to premium processing in my USCIS portal, there seems to be no status update on my application indicating that is currently being processed. I find this strange. Also, in the description, it says to check my PP processing receipt notice for contact information b”
“Hi All, I applied for my STEM OPT extension on July 2, 2026 , and also filed it under Premium Processing . Here is my timeline: STEM OPT Extension & Premium Processing Filed: July 2, 2026 Biometrics Appointment Notice Received: July 11, 2026 Biometrics Appointment Scheduled: July 28, 2026 Biometrics Completed Early: July 23, 2026 After completing my biometrics on July 23 , the USCIS portal showed that the processing time starts from the biometrics date. Could you guys let me know whether the”
“For all my premium processing folks: Anyone here who’s received decisions past business day 25 to change status or anyone who’s past business day 25 and still waiting for a decision? I’m currently on business day 23 today, at California service center and I am still waiting as we speak (the day just started but you get my point) submitted by /u/Lost-Finish-6578 [link] [comments]”
“I received my STEM OPT approval email on July 20.and my USCIS portal updated to "Case Approved" on July 22.It's now been 5 days since the portal updated 1 week since the approval email,but I still haven't received a Card Is Being Produced update. I called USCIS and spoke with a live agent, but they just told me that card production can take up to 30 days after approval. Is anyone else in the same situation or on a similar timeline? If you were approved around July 20–22,how lon”
“I had applied for OPT and I didn't receive any decision for 30 business days so how can I apply for the refund? submitted by /u/HovercraftMetal8888 [link] [comments]”
“My initial OPT was approved by USCIS on July 17 , but I still haven't received the SEVP Portal email. My school's ISSO has told me to keep waiting, but all of my friends who were approved over the past 3 weeks received their SEVP email within 24 hours. Has anyone else experienced a delay like this? What can I do next? submitted by /u/just_a_gurlll8798 [link] [comments]”
“Has anyone successfully appealed a Spanish student visa denial based on their concerns about temporary intent? What additional evidence helped strengthen your appeal? I applied for a long term student visa. All documents were in order and no other issues were noted. Seems they are questioning my intent. My intention is to simply study in Spain for a year to become as fluent as possible for professional and educations reasons. Advice is appreciated. submitted by /u/Candid_Enthusiasm79”
“Hey everyone, If your OPT/STEM OPT premium processing clock restarted on or around June 8 or June 9, could you please comment below? Have you received any API updates? Have you been approved? Or are you still waiting with no updates? My premium processing clock restarted on June 9, and I still haven't seen any API updates. Meanwhile, I'm seeing a lot of people with similar timelines getting approved, so I'm trying to understand if others are in the same situation. Would really apprec”
“Has anyone with an OPT/STEM OPT premium processing case gone past the 30-business-day mark and is still waiting for a decision? If so: 1.When did you upgrade to premium processing? 2.Has your premium processing clock expired? 3.Have you received any updates from USCIS or are you still waiting? submitted by /u/Straight_Desk5415 [link] [comments]”