Crowdsourced, not official USCIS data
How long is USCIS actually taking?
Real filing timelines for Initial OPT, STEM Extension, and Pre-Completion OPT — the fallback a lot of students are now leaning on after this fall's CPT crackdown. Filter by type and service center below.
Timelines
| Type | Center | PP | Filed | Biometrics | Approved | Produced | Delivered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Completion OPT | — | Yes | Sep 18, 2026 | — | — | — | — |
| Pre-Completion OPT | — | Yes | Sep 8, 2026 | Sep 14, 2026 | Sep 16, 2026 | — | — |
| Pre-Completion OPT | — | Yes | Sep 8, 2026 | Sep 14, 2026 | Sep 17, 2026 | — | — |
| Initial OPT | — | Yes | Aug 19, 2026 | — | — | — | — |
| Pre-Completion OPT | — | Yes | Aug 17, 2026 | Aug 24, 2026 | Aug 26, 2026 | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 5, 2026 |
| Initial OPT | Potomac (PSC) | Yes | Aug 8, 2026 | Aug 20, 2026 | — | — | — |
| STEM Extension | — | Yes | Jul 29, 2026 | Aug 18, 2026 | — | — | — |
| STEM Extension | Potomac (PSC) | Yes | Jul 28, 2026 | Aug 21, 2026 | — | — | — |
| STEM Extension | Texas (TSC) | Yes | Jul 26, 2026 | Aug 21, 2026 | — | — | — |
| Initial OPT | — | Yes | Jul 25, 2026 | Aug 18, 2026 | — | — | — |
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