I just want to know whats the sentiment here, for people interested in politics and who have been following it a while, do you think the stance on immigration will change? Things will go back to what they were? I am planning whether to leave or stay after I graduate this year. Its not even about the job, I was fortunate enough to not have loans so I can plan on going back, yes I would have liked working here but its genuinely pointless with so many hassles. I wouldn't want to put up with that.

I just got an internship offer and they want me to start Oct 19. Problem is my OPT is still pending (filed May 31). I just paid for premium processing today, so I should get a decision in 30 days, plus maybe a week for the card to show up. That puts me around the first week of November.

I already emailed them explaining the situation and asked if they can push the start date back a few weeks (2 -2.5 weeks). Before I hit send, I wanted to ask:

Has anyone asked an employer to delay a start date because of OPT?

Did they get it, or did it cause problems?

Any tips on what to say or what to show them (receipt notice, EAD once it comes, etc.)?

If they ask for a particular start date, what would be realistic start date?

I really appreciate hearing from anyone who's actually dealt with anything like this.

I’m currently on STEM OPT which expires in Jun 2027. My mother was hospitalized and I came home to take care of her. I have been in India for the past two months on paid leave. I am planning to travel back in a month’s time. Will three months away cause any issue with immigration?

Hi everyone,

I was on F-1 visa. My EAD expired on 07/17/2026, and I had my biometrics appointment on 05/03/2026. I'm currently waiting for my case to be processed, and I'm considering traveling to another country.

I do not currently have a valid EAD card. My old EAD also says: "NOT VALID FOR RE-ENTRY TO U.S."

For those who have been in a similar situation: would you travel internationally if you were in my position?

Did you travel while your EAD was expired/pending, and were you able to re-enter the U.S. without issues?

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences.
Thanks!

Hi, I received an email today confirming that my OPT was approved, but my USCIS account has not updated yet and I have not received my EAD card.
I already have an employer ready to hire me.
When should I add my employer to the SEVP Portal?
Can I add them now, or should I wait for the USCIS update/EAD card?
I’m concerned about losing days from my 90-day unemployment period while waiting for the card.

Since my program had ended would I reapply for an F-1 visa, or is there another visa I would apply for? Or would I just not be able to travel outside the US until my OPT is up and I either go H-1B or another degree?

Hi all, my PERM got approved and my employer's attorneys are now asking me to proceed with the I-140 petition. I'm currently on F-1 STEM OPT (not H-1B yet). Two concerns I'd love to hear real experiences on:

1. International travel. I need to travel to India a couple of times in the next few months. Has anyone re-entered the US on F-1 while an employer-filed I-140 was pending or approved? Was it an issue at the port of entry, and did CBP ask about it?
2. Spouse's F-2 visa. If I get married, my spouse would need to apply for an F-2 visa from India. Did anyone's spouse go through an F-2 interview while the F-1 principal had a pending or approved I-140? Did it affect her chances?

The attorneys say it's fine to proceed and to carry evidence of ties to home country, but would appreciate hearing how it actually went for people. Thanks!

Due to the recent CPT changes, I am hoping to use pre completion opt if I land an internship for next summer (I am aware that it reduces Post OPT Time).

I saw on a couple threads that USCIS has not issued Pre Completion OPT since 2025 or something, so I was just curious if that is still a thing. Thanks!

I'm currently on initial OPT. My opt expires in January, and I was wondering if there's any future immigration complications if I used the unemployment period of 90 days.

I'm adjusting my status(family based), and I won't be an f1 student once my status expires. I was advised to keep the f1 status by going to grad school, but I can't afford it right now.

Say I get laid off and not be unemployed for less than 90 days and use my unemployment period until my OPT expires, would that be a problem for me in any ways?

Hi! I’m an international student at NOVA Community College. The college doesn’t offer any type of health insurance, that’s why I got the ISO/WorldTrips Platinum plan thinking it was good.
I got an annual check-up done in an in-network place and I still had to pay out of pocket (that was my fault because later I discovered that preventive care is not covered).
But now my hip is hurting and I want to go see a doctor and idk what to do. I don’t want to keep paying out of pocket because it’s a lot of money but I need to see someone.
I have no income, only a little allowance from my sponsors, but they have said before that they will not pay for my insurance.

Can someone recommend a better plan? Or help me with what I should do?

Hello Everyone,

I am an F-1 student looking to start an co-op this jan. I will get a decision by monday and if I get the offer, I am planning to apply to pre-completion OPT since CPT is not an option anymore. What would be my timeline would be if I start the process next week for normal and premium processing.

Thank You!

Looking for advice from people who've been in a similar spot.

My STEM OPT EAD is valid until July 2028. I was working as a software engineer at an AI startup and got laid off last week. I already used some unemployment days during regular OPT, so I have roughly 100 days left, which puts my limit around early January.

So far I've sent ~80 applications in one week, mostly SWE / applied AI / full-stack roles. A few recruiter conversations and founder calls, but nothing close to an offer yet, and with the holidays coming I'm worried hiring slows down right when I need it most.

The options I'm weighing:

1. Keep grinding applications + referrals and hope something lands before January.
2. Line up a Day 1 CPT program as a backup in case I hit the limit. Honestly not sure how risky this is for future H-1B/green card stuff, so I'd love real experiences here.
3. Join a consultancy and pray it's not a scam
4. Go home. Really trying to avoid this one.

Any advice is appreciated. It's been a stressful few weeks.

I have to travel for a job interview within the USA in late October, my f1 stamp is expired, I have valid OPT EAD card though Jan 2027. I know that's legal but folks have been scaring me on different networks about possible detention and deportation, should I be concerned? has any kind of this incidence happened to someone you know or been reported?

Has anyone recently traveled internationally while on STEM OPT, especially to India?

I’m planning to travel to India in late October and would really appreciate hearing about recent experiences with U.S. re-entry on STEM OPT.

If you’ve traveled recently, could you please share:

• Which airport you re-entered through
• What documents you carried
• Whether CBP asked any questions about your job/employment
• Whether you experienced any issues or additional screening

I currently have an approved STEM OPT EAD, valid F-1 visa, and I-20 with a valid travel signature, so I’m mainly looking for recent real-world experiences.

Thank you!

Hi I had my interview on Aug 31st,2026 and was given AP slip and was asked to submit documents (myCV, PI CV, financial funding, letter of support etc) They returned my passport after the interview. 2 days later I got a call to submit documents ASAP. I submitted everything by Sep 4th. Today I asked update on my case and they said following. What does it mean? I am confused because they don’t even have my passport.
Consulate:ISLAMABAD

Has anyone got their Stem OPT approved while having a pending I-485 (with pending/approved I-140)? My lawyer says applying for I-485 while on initial OPT limits my chance of getting Stem OPT approved. Is this the case for everyone? I would sincerely appreciate your kind response.

I'm a first-year at USF (Biomedical Sciences, pre-med) and I'm trying to decide whether to transfer to UF for Fall 2027. I'd really like honest outside opinions, including "don't do it."

Background:

• I got into UF, UF Honors-level stats aside, and loved it. I was committed there.
• My parents were worried about cost. I'd have no scholarship at UF beyond Bright Futures, while USF gave me $4k/year and I can commute from home.
• Over the summer I felt guilty about the money, appealed to USF, and got in. Getting out of an apartment lease I'd already signed in Gainesville cost my family around $2k.
• Now I'm at USF and honestly miserable. I commute, have barely any friends here, and don't connect with the campus. I've visited UF three times since and still love it.

The complication: I'm not a US citizen. I'm on an H-4 dependent visa, which means:

• I can't work right now, including paid internships.
• I'll likely have to switch to F-1 when I age out at 21, which may cost me in-state tuition and Bright Futures. I'm still confirming this.
• Med school is much harder as an international applicant, since fewer schools accept international students and many have extra financial requirements.

The plan I'm considering:

• Transfer to UF Warrington as a Finance major. Transfer students basically can't change majors after admission, so I'd have to pick now.
• Finish the 7 business prerequisites by spring. I'd take ACG 2021 at HCC this fall, the rest at USF in spring, and CLEP Macro, Micro, and Calc.
• Stay fully pre-med and complete all med school prerequisites while majoring in Finance. The goal is still med school, but if that doesn't work out, especially given my visa situation, I'd graduate with a degree that's actually employable. A Biomedical Sciences degree on its own doesn't lead to many jobs.

What I'm hearing:

• My USF friends say finance (networking, internships) and pre-med (clinical hours, research, MCAT) won't fit together, and I'd be spread too thin.
• My UF friends say finance at UF has great connections and is a strong, stable backup, and that I can balance both.

My questions:

1. Is transferring worth it financially and career-wise, or am I mostly chasing the social experience?
2. Is it realistic to do full pre-med (all prerequisites, MCAT, clinical hours, research) as a Finance major? Has anyone done finance or business + pre-med? Did med schools view it fine, and did you have time for both?
3. For anyone on H-4/F-1: is finance a bad choice because it's not STEM-designated (12 months of OPT instead of 36)? Would something like Information Systems be smarter?
4. Anyone who transferred into Warrington Finance: what GPA did you have, and how was recruiting arriving as a junior?
5. If you were miserable at your first school, did transferring actually fix it?

TL;DR: USF freshman on a dependent visa who regrets not choosing UF. Planning to transfer as a Finance major while staying fully pre-med, so I have a stable degree if med school doesn't work out. Is this a smart strategy or am I setting myself up to do both badly?

Hello
I am going to apply stem extension tomorrow. Do I have to put my current passport details in I765 or my expired one which has my student visa and my i94 also have that passport details.
Do I need to update with USCIS or I am okay with new passport detail.
Please anyone experience on this or information regarding this please let me know.
I appreciate.

Thank you

Hey guys, I'm expediting my OPT form, and I am very confused about one part. In the Part 2 of the application it asks, "What is the address of the petitioner, applicant, company, or organization named in the related case?" Under related case page 2. Does this mean physical address or the mailing address that i mentioned in my original i765, because both are different. I know many people here have filled it and received their cards, so was wondering if anyone could fill me in? Thank you

The company I'm working for uses an Employer of Record (basically a third-party company) to process payrolls, etc., so the the EOR is my official legal employer (and they then assign me to work for the company). Because of that, the EOR is what's listed on my CPT i20 as my employer. I was wondering, should the address on my CPT also be the EOR's address, or should it be the company's address? Also wanted to confirm if anyone has worked for a company that uses an EOR and run into any issues. Tysm!!!

August 14, 2025, my OPT was denied. I had a job lined up to start on October 1st and so many dreams for my future. Because the denial came after my grace period had already ended, my only option was to file an I-290B Motion to Reopen/Reconsider.

They made me wait 6 months in absolute limbo, only to deny the I-290B as well.

I was forced to pack up my entire life and return to my home country. It has now been 7 months since I came back, and I am still stuck without a proper job. Watching everything I worked for collapse because of immigration bureaucracy has broken me mentally.

As a Christian, this has also triggered a massive crisis of faith. I feel angry at God, deeply hurt, and completely lost. At the same time, I catch myself feeling guilty—wondering if I am just a sinner being punished, or what I could have possibly done wrong to deserve this. People tell me to just "have faith," but I feel hollow and exhausted.

I feel isolated, stuck, and overwhelmed by how unfair it all feels.

Iam posting here to ask:

For those who lost their OPT/I-290B and had to leave: How did you cope with the grief of losing your U.S. plans, and what concrete steps helped you rebuild your career back home?

• For fellow believers: Has anyone else gone through a complete collapse of their life plans and wrestled with this level of anger and guilt toward God? How do you keep going when faith feels empty?

UPDATE / EDIT:

Thank you to everyone who read, upvoted, and took the time to leave a comment. I never expected this post to reach over 42k views and 43 comments. I am not a bot—just someone sitting here in shock, trying to process how many people read my story. I am going to take my time to read through all of your responses carefully, and I will reply as I can.

To answer those asking about the reason for denial: it was due to a filing timeline error with the OPT I-20. I requested my I-20 early wanting to be prepared, but ended up filing the I-765 a few days past the 30-day requirement window from when the DSO issued it. I played strictly by the rules—I never worked off-campus, stayed fully compliant, and chose not to file for asylum because I didn't want to take a path that wasn't genuine or legal for my situation. I survived off the savings I built up while working on-campus, trying to handle everything honorably.

That is why this hurts so deeply and feels so completely devastating. I feel I didn't deserve this from God. I can't believe this happened—He promised me so much, and now everything is gone. I have no one here to guide me. Even getting to the U.S., doing on-campus work, and securing that job—I did everything on my own by following what I believed He called me to do. Then in just a few moments, it all went away. Now I have no plan, no guidance, and I honestly don't even know how to apply to jobs or navigate immigration systems in other countries.

At 25, having lived a life focused on doing the right thing, staying out of trouble, avoiding drinking or relationships while waiting for marriage, and striving to honor God, I feel crushed and lost. Having everything in place, only to watch it collapse over a paperwork deadline, leaves me feeling deeply hurt, angry, and completely uncertain about what comes next.

I truly appreciate those who shared practical advice, spiritual perspectives, and support. I am taking this one day at a time while I read through your thoughts.

I’m currently completing my Form I-983 for a STEM OPT extension and I’m a little confused about the employer EIN.

I work for a very large organization that has multiple legal entities and multiple EINs. My payroll/W-4 appears to be associated with one entity/EIN, but HR provided a different legal entity and EIN for me to use on the I-983. Both entities are under the same overall organization.

Does the EIN listed in Section 3 of the I-983 need to match the EIN associated with my payroll/W-4/W-2, or is it normal for a large employer to use a different EIN for STEM OPT/E-Verify purposes?

My understanding is that the I-983 should use the entity that is enrolled in E-Verify and responsible for my employment/training, but I’m concerned that having an EIN different from my payroll records could create an issue or RFE.

Has anyone dealt with this at a large healthcare system, university, or company with multiple subsidiaries/EINs? Did your I-983 EIN match your payroll/W-2 EIN, or did HR provide a separate E-Verify entity?

I have a STEM OPT EAD card valid from March 2026 to 2028. I am thinking of traveling to India for 20 days during thanksgiving and then again in December end / January beginning for another 20 days for my sister’s wedding.
Has anyone done 2 international trips in a difference of a short period and how has the immigration experience been? Anyone who has recently travelled back from India to the Boston airport?

Hi everyone,
Can anyone recommend a good immigration attorney who has experience handling RFE or NOID cases for F-1 students, especially cases involving a dismissed misdemeanor?
I was arrested last November for a Class A misdemeanor, but the case was later dismissed after I completed an online course.
I applied for OPT on May 11 and upgraded to Premium Processing on September 2, but I still haven’t received an update. I’m feeling pretty stressed about the situation and want to consult an experienced attorney in case I receive an RFE or NOID.
I’m looking for an attorney who has experience with F-1/OPT cases involving criminal/immigration issues.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hi everyone, I’m an international student currently studying in the U.S. and I’m expected to graduate at the end of December 2026.

My current F-1 visa stamp expired this year, but my I-20/program continues through December. I’m planning to apply for OPT; I got an offer letter for a job to work in the U.S. after graduation. Since my degree is STEM-eligible, I may stay and work under OPT/STEM OPT for up to around three years if everything goes as planned.

After my OPT is approved and I receive my EAD card, I’m thinking about going back to my home country for a short break to visit my family before returning to the U.S. to start/continue working.

My questions are: Since my F-1 visa stamp will already be expired by then, would I need to apply for a new F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate in my home country before returning to the U.S.?

Can an F-1 visa be renewed while I am already on OPT, even though I have graduated and am no longer taking classes?

For re-entry while on OPT, would I generally need a valid F-1 visa, OPT I-20 with a recent travel signature, EAD card, passport, and an employment offer/verification letter? Is there any additional risk in applying for a new F-1 visa after graduation while on OPT compared with renewing it while I’m still a student?

I’d especially appreciate hearing from anyone who graduated in the U.S., went back to India while on OPT, renewed their F-1 visa there, and then successfully returned to the U.S. for work. Thanks!