An international student on an F-1 visa recently shared their STEM OPT application experience on Reddit. The student said the application was filed in early January 2026. Despite completing the process on time, the case has not shown any progress so far.
In February 2026, the student decided to upgrade the application to Premium Processing. The decision came after weeks without any movement on the case. The student expected that the upgrade would lead to a faster response from USCIS.
However, the case status has not changed even after the upgrade. The student said there have been no updates from the immigration agency. This has created uncertainty, especially as employment plans depend on the approval of the OPT application.
According to federal rules, USCIS usually provides a response within 30 days for Premium Processing cases. This service is designed to speed up decisions for certain immigration applications. Many applicants choose this option to avoid long waiting periods.
Experts note that the 30 day processing clock begins only after USCIS issues the Premium Processing receipt. Applicants must calculate the timeline based on that official date. The waiting period can therefore vary depending on when the receipt is generated.
Federal holidays can also affect processing timelines. These breaks may extend the actual waiting period beyond the expected timeframe. As a result, some applicants experience delays even with Premium Processing services.
Immigration advisers recommend escalating the issue to the Premium Processing team at USCIS. This department handles enquiries related to delayed expedited cases. Contacting the team may help applicants receive clarity about their case status.
The student has also been advised to contact their Designated School Officer or DSO. While a DSO cannot speed up the process, they can check if there is any SEVIS related issue. Such checks sometimes help identify hidden delays in the system.
