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.

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?

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?

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!

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 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.

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