OPT Premium Delays Intensify Risk for F-1 Job Offers

Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization is the USCIS form most F-1 students must file to receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and the STEM OPT extension. If you want to work in the United States in F-1 status after your program, your OPT is generally not work-authorized until USCIS approves Form I-765 and you receive the EAD card.

recent uscis and dhs changes have increased risk for F-1 students trying to start work on time. These include longer “premium” timeframes, the end of certain automatic EAD extensions, and an Adjudicative Hold policy that can pause cases for certain nationals.

Quick reference: Form I-765 for OPT

💰 Current Fee: Always confirm the Form I-765 fee at uscis.gov/fees before filing. The wrong fee can cause a rejection.

Critical dates, fees, and timelines for I-765 (OPT)

Premium processing fee (Form I-907)

$1,685 (as of January 2026)

Premium processing timeframe

30 business days (as of January 9, 2026)

Automatic EAD extension change

DHS ended automatic extensions of up to 540 days for renewal applications filed on or after Oct. 30, 2025

EAD card production after approval

1–3 weeks (reported)

⏱️ Processing Time: USCIS times are estimates and vary by category. Check egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/ as of January 2026.

Who should file Form I-765 for OPT

You typically file Form I-765 if you are in F-1 status and are applying for one of these benefits:

• Initial post-completion OPT
• STEM OPT extension (24 months)
• In some cases, other F-1 employment categories if eligible and recommended by your DSO

Your designated school official (DSO) must recommend OPT in sevis before you file. USCIS will expect your OPT Form I-20 showing the recommendation.

Eligibility requirements (OPT and STEM OPT basics)

uscis reviews eligibility under F-1 rules and the I-765 category you select. Your DSO is your first checkpoint. Many denials happen due to timing errors.

Common OPT eligibility items include:
– You are currently in valid F-1 status.
– You have an OPT recommendation in SEVIS from your DSO.
– You received an updated Form I-20 that lists OPT on page 2.
– You file within the allowed filing window for your OPT type.
– You have not exceeded allowed OPT time at the same degree level.

For STEM OPT extension, you generally also need:
– A qualifying STEM degree on the DHS STEM list.
– A job with an E-Verify employer.
– A completed Form I-983 training plan, kept with your school records.
– Current OPT that is unexpired at the time of filing.

Step-by-step: How to file Form I-765 for OPT

1) Get your OPT recommendation and updated I-20

1. Request OPT or STEM OPT through your school’s international office.
2. Confirm your DSO issued a new Form I-20 with the OPT recommendation.
3. Sign and date the I-20 in ink, then scan it for your records.

2) Choose online filing or paper filing

USCIS allows online filing for many Form I-765 categories. Online filing can reduce mailing delays and provide instant receipt notices.

• Create or sign in to your USCIS account at my.uscis.gov.
• Select Form I-765 and the correct eligibility category for OPT.
• Upload documents as clear PDFs or images.

If filing by mail, follow the Form I-765 instructions for the correct lockbox and category.

3) Complete Form I-765 carefully

Key fields that commonly cause delays:

• Ensure your name matches your passport and I-94 format.
• Use a mailing address that will be stable for several months.
• Select the eligibility category that matches your OPT type and timing.

4) Upload supporting documents

USCIS will adjudicate based on what you submit. Missing items can trigger a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a denial.

5) Pay the correct fee

Pay the fee shown for your filing type at uscis.gov/fees. If filing online, pay through the USCIS system. If filing by mail, follow the payment rules in the instructions.

6) Consider premium processing (optional)

If your start date is at risk, you may file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service for eligible OPT-related Form I-765 categories.

• As of January 9, 2026, premium processing for OPT is described as 30 business days (roughly six weeks).
  > ⚠️ Common Mistake: Paying for premium processing does not guarantee approval by your job start date. Card production can still take time after approval.

7) Track your case and respond fast to RFEs

1. Watch for your receipt notice in your USCIS online account.
2. Check case status at my.uscis.gov.
3. If you receive an RFE, respond by the deadline with a complete packet.

Required supporting documents (OPT and STEM OPT)

USCIS document needs can vary by your situation. Many applicants submit these items for OPT-related Form I-765 filings.

USCIS may request additional evidence, especially if there are prior status issues, travel complications, or identity questions.

Processing times, card production, and job start planning

USCIS processing varies by workload and category. As of January 2026, USCIS reported large pending inventories that often affect EAD timelines.

• Standard processing for OPT-related Form I-765 can take months.
• Premium processing may shorten adjudication, but it is not instantaneous.
• After approval, EAD card production can take additional time—reported as 1–3 weeks, with possible delays.

Build a buffer with your employer. Many employers will accept an updated start date; some will not.

What “Adjudicative Hold” can mean for certain F-1 OPT cases

USCIS issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0194 titled “Hold and Review of USCIS Benefit Applications Filed by Aliens from Additional High-Risk Countries.” The memo instructs USCIS personnel to place a hold on pending benefit applications for aliens listed in Presidential Proclamation (PP) 10998, pending review.

If you are a national of an affected country, an Adjudicative Hold may result in:
– A pending Form I-765 that does not move forward for a period of time.
– Delays that premium processing may not overcome.
– Employer uncertainty if there is no predictable completion date.

If you suspect your case is affected, keep copies of all notices, track the case in your USCIS account, and consider speaking with your DSO and an immigration attorney before making travel or employment changes.

Automatic extension changes and STEM OPT work interruption risk

DHS ended the practice of automatically extending certain EADs for up to 540 days for renewal applications filed on or after Oct. 30, 2025, according to USCIS newsroom information.

For F-1 students, the biggest concern is work continuity during transitions (e.g., initial OPT to STEM OPT). If your current EAD expires and you do not have another basis to keep working, you may need to stop working.

Do not assume you have an automatic extension. Confirm your category rules with your DSO and review USCIS and DHS announcements at uscis.gov/newsroom and dhs.gov/news.

Common mistakes that cause rejections, RFEs, and delays

1. Filing too early or too late for OPT—timing mistakes are frequent and costly.
2. Using the wrong eligibility category in Form I-765.
3. Uploading an I-20 without the OPT recommendation, or an I-20 that is not signed.
4. Mismatched personal data across passport, I-94, SEVIS, and Form I-765.
5. Incorrect fee amount or wrong payment method for paper filings.
6. Unclear scans of identity documents or missing pages.
7. Assuming premium processing fixes all delays, including policy-based holds.
8. Changing addresses without updating USCIS—missed mail can lead to missed RFEs.

✅ Pro Tip: Save a single PDF copy of your full submission. Include the I‑20, passport, I‑94, and any prior EADs. Keep it with your SEVIS records.

Form I-907 premium processing for OPT (optional)

If you decide to request premium processing, you will file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service.

Official premium processing page: https://www.uscis.gov/i-907

Practical next steps (do these in order)

1. Download Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization at https://www.uscis.gov/i-765 and confirm your filing category with your DSO.
2. Verify the current Form I-765 fee at https://www.uscis.gov/fees before you submit payment.
3. Prepare your document set and confirm your OPT-recommended Form I-20 is signed and dated.
4. File online through my.uscis.gov when eligible, and save your full submission PDF.
5. Track your receipt and current estimates at https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/ and monitor uscis.gov/newsroom for policy updates.

📋 Official Resources: Download forms at uscis.gov/forms. Check processing times at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times. Fees and processing times are subject to change—always verify current information at uscis.gov.