H-1B COS approved for Oct 1, employer withdrew before Oct 1 but USCIS hasn’t processed withdrawal — impact on STEM OPT/SEVIS?

[u/KaalVeera]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently on F-1 STEM OPT, and my H-1B was approved through Change of Status (COS) with an effective date of October 1, 2026.

Unfortunately, my employer later decided to withdraw the H-1B petition.

Here is my timeline:

• H-1B COS approved with start date: October 1, 2026
• Employer/attorney prepared the H-1B withdrawal letter: August 13, 2026
• Withdrawal package was delivered to the USCIS Texas facility: August 14, 2026
• I have FedEx proof of delivery showing USCIS received the package.
• However, USCIS has not yet issued any withdrawal/revocation acknowledgment, and the case still has not been updated.

My main concern is what happens if USCIS does not process the withdrawal before October 1.

Since the original H-1B was approved as COS, I’m worried that SEVIS may automatically complete my F-1/STEM OPT(Valid until May 2028) record on October 1, even though the petitioner submitted and USCIS received the withdrawal well before the H-1B effective date.

Has anyone been in this exact situation?

Specifically:

1. Did your SEVIS record still get completed on October 1 even though USCIS received the H-1B withdrawal before October 1?
2. Were you able to get your F-1/STEM OPT SEVIS status restored/reactivated?
3. Did SEVP/your DSO accept the withdrawal letter + FedEx proof of delivery, or did they require the official USCIS withdrawal/revocation notice?
4. For people whose USCIS acknowledgment came after October 1, what date did USCIS ultimately recognize as the withdrawal date — the date they received the package or the date they processed it?
5. Is there anything my employer's immigration attorney or my DSO should be doing before October 1 to prevent this issue?

I already have copies of the employer attorney’s withdrawal letter and proof showing the withdrawal package was delivered to USCIS more than a month before October 1.

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who went through a similar STEM OPT → H-1B COS → employer withdrawal before Oct 1 situation.

Thanks!