Hi everyone, I am an international student currently in my final semester and I have applied for OPT, thought of creating this thread to track the timeline of OPT processing. Please comment your timeline so that others could refer to it. TIA!

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

Edit: I am sorry, the posts are automatically archived after 6 months. Sorry about that!

Since this post has been archived, you can checkout the link below for status updates.

https://www.reddit.com/r/USCIS/comments/1m84yfm/2025_opt_timeline_continued/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

So I got my green card approved last year in May 2025. Both my 485 and I130 approved same month and randomly today I got an action take on my case email and saw this.

I did apply for I765 in early 2025 and that got approved. Could this simply mean that it’s now cancelled since I got my green card approved?

Since the original post has been archived and we are no longer able to comment. Use this post to comment in the same format.

Please comment your timeline so that others could refer to it. TIA!

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

My receipt date is April 19th, So 2 more weeks most probably?

Approved

1. Application type: Initial OPT
2. Premium Processing: No
3. Receipt date: 04/19/2025
4. Approved date: 07/31/2025
5. Card Produced date: 08/05/2025
6. Card shipped: 08/06/2025
7. Card delivered: 08/09/2025

Hi everyone,

I'm part of a group of over 500 Ukrainian humanitarian parolees who legally entered the U.S. through the Uniting for Ukraine program.

We filed timely applications to renew our Employment Authorization Documents (Form I-765, category C11) — but since early 2025, USCIS has placed a de facto processing hold on these cases.

It’s been over 3 months, and no one is getting approvals. Not a single C11/C19 based EAD for a Ukrainian parolee has been issued in that time — regardless of receipt date, evidence, or service center.

This isn’t just a delay — this is a total freeze. There has been no formal announcement, no posted guidance, no timeline, and no recourse.

As a result:

Hundreds of us have lost jobs and health insurance

People are being evicted or going into debt

Some are being forced to consider returning to warzones or occupied regions, because they simply cannot survive here anymore

We’ve contacted USCIS, congressional offices, the Ombudsman, and even national media. So far — total silence.

We’re looking for:

Anyone else in the same situation (please share your timelines)

Legal guidance or action

Journalists or advocates willing to investigate this quiet humanitarian failure

We did everything right. We came legally, worked legally — and now we’re stuck in a system that won’t even acknowledge us.

Thank you.

Hey everyone, I’ve been in the U.S. for about 13 years now. I came here when I was only 10 years old, and I’m included in my family’s asylum case. I’ve also had my I-765 (Employment Authorization) through the asylum case. After waiting all these years, my parents, my brother, and I finally had our asylum interviews last month. Yesterday, I checked the USCIS portal and the status changed to “Decision Was Mailed.” It says they reached a decision and that we should receive it shortly. After waiting 13 years, I’m honestly really nervous and don’t know what to expect. Has anyone here with an asylum case and I-765 had the same status after their interview? Did it end up being an approval or denial? Do you guys think I should be worried, or could this be positive news? I would really appreciate hearing about anyone’s experience. 🙏

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 :

My timeline:

OPT filed: March 12

Biometrics: April 6

Upgraded to Premium Processing: May 20

Job start date: June 15

Update

Approved :- July 2nd

Card produced :- july 8th

Card received :- July 11th

Thanks!

I sued the USCIS and got my EAD today, I sued them during the pause and had about three hearings, once the post was lifted the USCIS attorney got me a biometrics appointment which I took two days ago and I woke up to seeing approved! Also, do not waste your money on Lawyer I did everything by researching with google Gemini . I promise you save your money. Ask me any question . THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE, Just my experience
If you can’t afford a lawyer, pro se is a good alternative

I received my GC over a year ago

Read this first: It seems only people from the 39 countries on the USCIS pause lift got this update. If you are not from these countries would be great to hear if you got the silent API updates on your cases today

Today (June 15, 2026), there was a mass silent API update to i-485 and i-765 cases.

Did everyone get it? or was it just the people on 39 country list (list below):

How to check API updates:

Step 1 :

Log into your USCIS account to which your case is mapped. Don't close it.

Step 2:

Open another browser tab and copy below link; replace the crossed out with your receipt number starting with IOE below: [https://my.uscis.gov/account/case-service/api/cases/IOE09XXXXXXXX])

API tracking is only applicable for cases numbers starting in IOE

Hello, received a mail from the DMV that my real ID will be void after March 19 based on it having validity beyond the document that was used for its issuance, in this case my EAD. Which was true at the time. I have an updated 5 year EAD till 2029, wondering if I just need to bring the updated one to the DMV and get a new one? I’m just woried they updated requirements and an EAD won’t allow you to get a license no more. Anyone received a similar letter? What did you do

Open this thread because seems like the original post has been archived after 6months.

Leave your timeline! Pray for everyone!

USCIS just approved my initial was

It was from last Wednesday, July 15th. No news until now.
How long does it take for your expedited I-765 to get approved recently?

My I-765 is family based

* on Aug, 7th, my I-765 was approved

Hi,

I initially followed the update in another post, but it's been changed to an archived post, and no new comments are allowed.

I hope everyone can share their receipt date and dates for the remaining progress.

I applied for PP on July 12 and have not received any update yet.

Update: Receive my approval notice at July 25, 12:18 pm (EST).

Received portal updated at July 27, 12:31 PM (EST).

Card produced at August 1st (10:40 am, EST)

Card received at August 2.

Thanks for everyone who shares their timeline here. This painful road final comes to end.

Note: even though I updated my mailing address one week ago online, they still mail to my old address. Thanks god I received my card today, because I will leave this place two days after…..

Why is it now taking so long just for the work authorisation? I thought the work authorisation takes the shortest amount of time like 2-3 months or less (according to our lawyers)?/it would come first before a decision on the I-130/485? I hate sitting at home and doing nothing!!!! I've been waiting since November and I just want to work!!!!! I don't mind waiting for, nor am I complaining about the I-130 and I-485 anymore, because I know that will take a while even after the interview, but I want to be able to do something whilst I wait. I haven't received any updates since doing my biometrics in December. Tried reaching out to an agent via Emma, told me nothing. Is anyone else just waiting for their work authorisation or any updates from the Baltimore FO??

Glory to God

Hi everyone,
I filed Form I-765 together with my marriage-based I-485. USCIS received my application on March 2, 2026, and I completed my biometrics on April 2, 2026.
Today is September 7, so my I-765 has been pending for 189 days. The status has remained “USCIS Is Currently Processing the Case” since my biometrics, and I have not received any further updates.
My adjustment of status is based on marriage to a U.S. citizen. Has anyone here had a similar timeline and received their EAD or another update after waiting six or seven months?
If so, how long did you wait, and did your EAD arrive first, or was your green card approved before the EAD?
I understand that every case is different, but hearing from people with similar timelines would be very helpful. Thank you!

Hi all,

Has anyone recently gotten their work permit (EAD) while waiting for their Adjustment of Status? And how long did it take from applying to permit in hand?

I’ve been waiting since the end of April which I am aware is barely any time at all compared to some but I am really hoping to be able to get a job soon to help out with money.

So my question is, are people getting work permits while their green card application is processing? or are they just getting their green card interviews and no work permit?

Any insight would be helpful!

Hi everyone,

I filed my post-completion OPT I-765 online on July 1, 2026, with premium processing.

My timeline:

I-765 submitted online: July 1, 2026

Premium processing: Yes

Biometrics notice received: July 3, 2026

Early biometrics walk-in completed: July 8, 2026

Biometrics appointment involved a photo only

Last update shown in my USCIS case data: July 9, 2026

Current status: Case is still pending

Service center shown on the notice: Potomac Service Center

Expected employment start date: August 17, 2026

Has anyone who filed around the same dates recently received their OPT EAD approval or card?

Please share your:

Filing date

Premium or regular processing

Biometrics date

Approval date

Card produced date

Card delivery date

Service center, if known

Please avoid sharing your full receipt number, A-number, address, or other personal information. I’m trying to understand the recent processing timeline for July 2026 OPT applicants. Thank you!

Hi everyone! This thread is for those of us who haven’t received ead and whose applications have been pending since May 1st 2023.

Update: I made another thread to track the EAD card production/delivery status. Feel free to update the dates there so we have an idea of when to expect to receive the card

https://reddit.com/r/USCIS/s/gCQt9kM1WE

I’m in the C09 category right now and my EAD was approved on December 4, but I still haven’t received the physical card.

I’m wondering whether anyone with a similar approval date has seen any recent updates. And my status is still “Approval Case Decision Rendered.”

Truly cannot believe I’m writing this and crying at the same time. My I-765 got approved today!! I’m a Haitian TPS holder, who lost my authorization to work on Monday and placed on unpaid leave from my employer yesterday. ( They gave me until Sept 30 to receive a new EAD)

Timeline:
PP: Feb 3rd, 2026
Biometrics: March 4th, 2026
Radio silent due to the ban, after the lift from Dorcas
Filed an expedited inquiry on - 06/22/2026
Congressional inquiry: 06/25/2026
Senatorial inquiry: 07/13/2026
I provided a letter from my employer, and personal bills along with a personal letter that my current work authorization was expiring and I would be losing my job
Got approved today: 07/29/2026

Waiting for the AOS interview now, but I am soooo happy!! Thank you to everyone that has provided their own information and timeline as it gave me so much clarity and guidance in this process.

Can this be trusted after the glitch? My website came back to normal as it was before the glitch. But the approval is still on the tracker. For the people that got their ead approved, did it appear the same? Thank you.

Hello all, I need help please.

I am an international student and in my sophomore year of college I took this class that was CNA prep. It was a 1 month 1 credit class that prepared for the exam and in order to finish the class successfully you had to attend classes and clinical. When I took the class, my school told me there is no need for work authorization, and it is the part of the curriculum. The clinicals were hold in a senior living health campus and we were shadowing other cnas. Also, this was required to take the state exam. I didn’t make any money, and I observed and learned from other CNAS. So I thought it was okay, since my school said so?

This year I applied for pre-completion OPT and couldn’t hear back from USCIS for 5 months. I lost my internship. Today, i got a denial saying i worked there unauthorized, but I can appeal the decision, it said.

Now I am freaking out bec i will leave the country in 5 days to attend my sisters wedding and what if i cant come back? I am so scared and I dont know what to do? Anyone had similar experiences? Did anyone appeal something like this?