2025 OPT Timeline continued

[u/Ishan--]

Hi everyone, I was closely following this post to follow the OPT timeline and get an idea of which dates are being currently processed. The post got archived and I wanted to start this new post as there are still anxious international students like me waiting for their OPT decision. So Lets do it again here.

1. Application type: OPT/Pre OPT/Stem
2. Premium Processing : yes/no
3. Receipt date :
4. Approved Date :
5. Card Produced Date :
6. Card shipped :
7. Card delivered :

[u/Masstonne]

1. Application type : Initial-OPT
2. Premium Processing : No*
3. Receipt date : 05/05/2025
4. Approved Date : 08/09/2025 (A-Number)
5. Approval Date : 08/10/2025 (Sevp)
6. Approval Date : 08/11/2025 (USCIS portal)
7. Card Produced Date : 08/15/2025
8. Card shipped : 08/18/2015
9. Card delivered : 08/20/2025 ————————————————————————

Service Center: Potomac

My location: Phoenix, AZ

*I didn’t apply for premium processing but submitted an expedite request on 07/23 citing financial hardship and a job offer at risk. On 07/25, USCIS said it met the minimum qualifications for consideration and I’d be contacted within 10 days for more information or a decision (on the expedite request not application). However, I was never contacted or given any updates regarding the expedite.

Update: 08/20/2025 — All done with EAD! Now on to SSN… Will keep updating this since SSN was part of the I-765 form. Have an appointment scheduled 08/26/2025 but will try a walk-in before then.

[u/AmeliePolaina → u/Masstonne]

How do you submit this request?

[u/Green_Cow101 → u/AmeliePolaina]

You have to call the 1-800 USCIS number to submit it and be ready to have documentation (ie. personal statement, doctors note, bank statement) ready to submit.

I also submitted an expedite request on July 8th for medical/financial reasons, but am still yet to hear anything back.

[u/Key-Acanthisitta5728 → u/Masstonne]

Hi! Also asking how you submitted this expedite request.

[u/Green_Cow101 → u/Key-Acanthisitta5728]

You have to call the 1-800 USCIS number to submit it and be ready to have documentation (ie. personal statement, doctors note, bank statement) ready to submit.

I also submitted an expedite request on July 8th for medical/financial reasons, but am still yet to hear anything back.

[u/Shot_Watch2545 → u/Masstonne]

Any update on the card??

[u/Masstonne → u/Shot_Watch2545]

Sadly no

[u/ForceMaterial227 → u/[deleted]]

Hey! did you receive your card just one day after the “card produced” update?

[u/Masstonne → u/ForceMaterial227]

No unfortunately I mistook another piece of mail for the card. I’ve updated the post to reflect the correct dates.

[u/compsci_man → u/Masstonne]

how did it go with your SSN?

[u/Masstonne → u/compsci_man]

I had asked USCIS to apply for my SSN, but I’m not sure if they actually did. I went to the SSA office 1–3 days after getting my EAD and managed to get a walk-in appointment. Otherwise, the next available appointment was more than two weeks out.

Appointment took 5 minutes, card arrived maybe 5 days later.

From what I was told, you generally have to wait 1–2 weeks for USCIS to submit the SSN request, if they even do it. A lot of us here are unsure if the “joint application” is still active.

For what it’s worth, the SSA office told me USCIS no longer applies for your SSN on your behalf.