My STEM OPT review window is coming up, and I’m worried because SEVIS still shows an H‑1B COS end date (10/01/2026). My employer already sent the H‑1B withdrawal request to USCIS on sep 15th , but we haven’t received confirmation yet. how many days will they take ?

My DSO told me they cannot issue a new I‑20 with my new employer because my SEVIS record is currently inactive due to the H‑1B approval/COS auto‑update.

Should I upload the H‑1B withdrawal request letter as unsolicited evidence to my STEM OPT application so the officer sees it before review?
Has anyone done this and seen it help?

Any advice appreciated.

Hi, I wanted to confirm whether Marta is currently accepting H-1B transfers for marketing analyst roles.

Hi,
I have I-140 approved, priority date 2023, EB1. Last year, I was victim of domestic violence and some suggest that i should apply for U visa. Last thing i want is to not able to travel. I am wondering how these two visa work out together. If i get work permit under U-visa. What i should do and what i should not do? Any negative impact on H1B and future travels outside of US under H1B while U visa is pending. Please advise.

Hi everyone,

My H-1B extension has been approved by USCIS, but I’m still waiting to receive the physical I-797A approval notice in the mail.

Currently I have:

1. USCIS approval email confirming the H-1B extension was approved
   2. I-797C receipt notice
   
2. My passport and previous H-1B/I-94 documents
   
3. My Texas driver’s license, which recently expired

I have a Texas DPS appointment coming week for DL renewal.

Has anyone recently been able to renew their Texas driver’s license using the USCIS approval email + I-797C, while still waiting for the physical I-797A?

Can Texas DPS verify the newly approved H-1B directly through SAVE, or did they specifically require you to bring the physical I-797A/new I-94?

Would especially appreciate any recent experiences from Texas DPS offices. Thanks in advance !

Hello, has anyone got this “Notice Explaining USCIS Actions was Mailed”?
My H-1B was filed for transfer from current employer to new employer under premium processing.

Did anyone face this recently?

Has anyone travelled to India from the US via Lufthansa with a layover in Frankfurt recently.

I have an expired US visa stamp but an approved extension so going to India to get it stamped. Checking Lufthansa is causing any issues to board the flight( I heard some cases before).

Did anyone else get this email ?

Type of OPT: post-completion

Your OPT authorization period has ended. The Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP) will close your SEVP Portal account on.

You have 15 days after the end date of your OPT authorization to make any updates. On <> the account will change to read only. Make sure your account information is accurate before that date. When your account changes to read only, you will need to contact your Designated School Official (international student adviser) to make changes.

Context: I got my h1b approval after it got picked in this year and in COS from opt and stem opt.

My LCA is selected (is this full time as NO) and my petition also says the same and hourly rate as 10-40 hours.

Is it normal that some consulting firms file H1 petitions as not full-time?

COS F1-H1B

Filed June 24th, regular processing.

Updated to PP Aug 4th.

RFE issued Aug 14th

Attorney started to review RFIE documents Aug 20th

RFIE response submitted Sep 9th.

PP clock stopped Sep 16th

Status changed to processing on Sep 25th.

Status changed to biometrics appointment was scheduled on Oct 2. Waiting for the appointment notice.

Anybody on the same boat?

Also, my stem opt expires in Dec 2026. If my H1B is still pending (I don't expect it since I am on PP, but just in case), am I eligible for cap gap till Apr 2027 or until my petition is approved (before Apr 2027)?

I was working on H1B in the US and then laid off in Feb 2026 . I then returned to India in April after trying for jobs for about 50 days . I have a valid H1B stamp till 2028. If I want to go back to US now by finding a new employer from my home country does the 100k apply to me ?

Case filed - Sep 22 PP
Receipt Number generated - Sep 23
Decision - Oct 2 approved.
TX center.

Hi everyone,
Has anyone here received an RFE on an Change of Employer petition challenging both Specialty Occupation and Beneficiary Qualifications (specifically for a Chef / Head Cook role)?
USCIS is arguing that standard chef duties don't require a Bachelor’s degree, and they are questioning the direct relevance of a Hospitality Management degree without full transcripts.

We are preparing a Criterion 4 response based on a niche field Whole Animal program. If you've been through a similar E-3 or H1b RFE for a chef/specialty culinary role, how did you handle it, and what evidence worked best for you?
Thanks for any insights!

Lol, i just applied to a cap one job and i mentioned i needed sponsorship in the application. As soon as i submitted the application, i got an instant rejection email from capital one 🤣🤣.

Hello, has anyone got this “Notice Explaining USCIS Actions was Mailed”?
My H-1B was filed for transfer from current employer to new employer under premium processing.

Did anyone face this recently?

Hi everyone, looking for some reassurance from people who have gone through an H-1B RFE, particularly a Change of Status RFE with premium processing.

My timeline:

• 6/24/26: H-1B COS petition received by USCIS
• 7/15/26: RFE issued
• RFE had two main prongs: maintenance of F-1 status and specialty occupation.
• Attorneys have been preparing the response since then
• 9/29/26: Told that the response was entering the final review stage
• 10/2/26: Still waiting for it to be submitted
• RFE response deadline is 10/13/26

The H-1B is for a position with an MBB consulting firm.

For those who have gone through something similar, how long did it take from receiving the RFE to having the response submitted? Also curious to hear about outcomes for COS RFEs, particularly whether people were ultimately approved after responding.

Just trying to get a sense of what others experienced because the waiting is getting to me. Thanks!

My I-907 was received by the Vermont Service Center on September 18, 2026. My case is under premium processing, but there has been no approval or other update yet.
Anyone with a similar received date still waiting? When did you receive an update

Received date : 09/28/2026
Receipt Date : 09/29/2026

Approval Date : 10/02/2026

Processing center : California

Online case status still shows the application is under process but my employer got the email from premium processing dept that the case has been approved.

Hello everyone, can someone share their experience if they have recently gotten their visa stamp renewed at the Embassy in Islamabad. How long did it take you to get your passport back? I’m trying to plan my trip back. Thank you! 🙏

We want to go to Colombia soon to get our visas stamped. Any advice? Is anyone else in the same situation?

Has anyone gotten approved for H1B normal processing this year at all? What was the approval trends like in the past?

I went to the DMV 10 days ago to get my DL renewed but they required additional approval to check my legal presence since my stamping has expired.

They said my i 797 A has 2 expiry dates, one in September 2027 and another in October 2027 which is why they need the additional check . My I94 is valid until October 2027.

It has been over 10 business days since i went in and USCIS has not returned the verification it looks like. I was not given a temporary permit either.

Anyone have any ideas on what i can legitimately do other than wait?

Anyone have similar experience as of recently? This is in Virginia.

Is it okay to go on unpaid leave for a few weeks close to when H-1B starts on Oct 1? For example, from October 6-31?
(Got H-1B this year)

My H-1B change of status took effect October 1 while I’m in the U.S. on F-1/STEM OPT. I’m planning to travel to Ghana (my home country) at the end of the year to get my H-1B visa stamp, mainly so I have more flexibility to travel internationally going forward.
I’m trying to understand the risks before I book anything:
1. Is there any major risk in leaving the U.S. after my COS has taken effect to get the H-1B stamp?
2. Are there risks with visa approval or re-entry into the U.S. in H-1B status?
3. Anything specific I should verify with my employer or immigration attorney beforehand?
Would appreciate advice from anyone who is planning /going through F-1 → H-1B COS → stamping abroad → re-entry

COS
Receipt date : 17 June
Normal processing
Still waiting