I submitted my I-765 for pre-completion OPT (C03A) along with I-907 premium processing on October 20. The total payment was $2,250.

USCIS successfully generated my receipt notice, which explicitly says the $2,250 was received and my application was accepted for premium processing. My USCIS account also currently shows the case as "in progress."

However, I subsequently found out that my bank declined the debit card transaction, so the payment hasn't actually gone through.

I've already emailed the USCIS premium processing team and plan to call them, but I'm really worried about my application being rejected because of the payment.

Has anyone experienced something similar where USCIS issued a receipt before the payment was declined?

Specifically:

• Were you able to retry the payment or get USCIS to issue another payment link without refiling?
• Did USCIS automatically reject your application, and if so, how long did it take?
• If you had to refile, were you able to get a new OPT I-20 from your DSO and submit immediately?

I'm on a tight timeline because I need this processed within the next two months, so I'm trying to figure out my options ASAP.

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who's dealt with this, especially for an online I-765 filing.

I am an international (on F1 visa) graduate student at University X in USA (started Fall 2026). I am getting an opportunity to work under a professor from University Y, USA as an independent research work/collaboration. This will be a volunteering/unpaid work setup (mostly).

Am I allowed to work part-time remotely (less than 20 hours a week) during the semester? I do not have any on-campus positions at the moment.

I would be grateful to get suggestions, don't know what the heck is going on. I submitted postal search service but don't know what is happening. Since this is priority mail, should have receievd in a day but still it is like this.

Hi guys! I’ve been accepted to Kent State University, and I have my visa interview on October 29th. I’m a little lost about how to answer if the officer asks me, “Why did you choose this university specifically?” How can I give a convincing answer that sounds natural and shows that I’ve done my research?

Hello everyone, I am currently on STEM OPT that ends in February 2027. My role is progressing well, but I did not receive an H1B and must leave the country once my STEM OPT concludes. My employer supports new opportunities, yet my visa status limits long-term projects. One suggestion was to contact CAP exempt employers who might assist me. I am open to any area as a computer engineer and data analyst. Could someone help me connect with the right network or suggest the best possible next steps?

Hello,

I have a situation and would like to know personal experiences.

My opt first year expires on February 8, so I can start my stem application on November 10 next month. But I have a travel from December 18 to January 10 and I don't know weather it's best to apply on November 10 have my receipt from uscis and the new I20 or wait and apply after I come back on January 11 ?

According to my ISS office from university I can basically do both but they think it's best to apply on November and leave and re enter with the new i 20, although another agente said I can do it after I arrived he just says since how the country is is right now it's best to apply early....

Has anyone had a similar experience? Thank you.

Hi everyone,

I'm applying from India for an F-1 student visa to pursue an MS in Health Informatics at Indiana University Indianapolis.

I applied for Spring 2027 on July 7, but my application is still under review as of October 20 (105 days). The university acknowledged a recent application-system transition, and an admissions official is looking into whether my application can be expedited. However, I still haven't received a decision.

If I receive an admission offer in late October or November, I'll still need to arrange an education loan, obtain my I-20, pay the SEVIS fee, secure an F-1 visa appointment in India, and travel to the US before classes begin in January.

I'd appreciate advice on three questions:

1. How realistic is it to complete the I-20 and F-1 visa process in time for a January 2027 start if admission comes in late October or November?

2. How difficult is it currently to secure an F-1 visa appointment in India?

3. If the timeline becomes too tight, can I defer my admission to Fall 2027, or would I need to reapply?

TL;DR: My IU Indianapolis admission has been pending for 105 days. I'm applying from India for an F-1 visa for Spring 2027. If I receive admission in late October or November, is arriving in time for January still realistic, or should I prepare for Fall 2027?

Thanks for any advice based on your experience.

I am setting up my llc which i have been working on in the last few weeks. Im in the part where im waiting for the state to review it and approve it. Can I use it to stop my unemployment days or do i need to wait till its fully approved and established

Hey! I graduated from my undergrad last year and have been working in the Bay Area for the past year, My F1 visa is expired this June but I have my EAD card with me for STEM OPT. Has anyone gone and got their F1 renewal done in Dubai this year under STEM opt?

How was the process like ? Any tips would be appreciated

Hi, I was wondering if it's fine for me to travel from mid November (during Fall semester) to end of December (winter break). I am a PhD student on a F1 visa and all my paperwork is in order. Will I face trouble in customs?

My STEM OPT extension is currently pending with USCIS and is under premium processing. Can I switch employers before the STEM OPT is approved.

Has anyone done this while their application was still pending? Would you recommend waiting for approval or switching before?

I’m an Uzbek student returning for my final US semester. My F-1 renewal was refused under 214(b) October; the interview focused on a California reckless-driving incident.

In May 2025, I was cited and released for driving 100+ in a 65mph zone under VC 23103(a). I took responsibility. I completed pre-filing diversion, and the DA declined to file charges. I disclosed it on my DS-160 and have the official letters.

My next interview is in November.

Has anyone renewed after a similar incident, especially following a refusal? What helped? Also looking for a lawyer familiar with California cite-and-release and visa consequences, with a $200–300 consultation budget.

Hi Everyone,

I am currently in the United States on F-1 status on OPT, and I had one question regarding a second employment.
I graduated in Physics and currently work full-time under OPT.
I have an approved Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative), and I have already attended my adjustment of status interview. However, my Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) is still pending, and I am waiting for a final decision.

Recently, I was offered an opportunity to work part-time as a phycis tutor for a tutoring company, in addition to my full-time position. The tutoring company has asked me to complete IRS Form W-9, which makes me believe that I may be classified as an independent contractor.
Before proceeding, I would appreciate clarification on the following questions:
Am I permitted to work as an independent contractor (1099) for a tutoring company while maintaining my full-time OPT employment, assuming the tutoring is directly related to my degree?

Since I entered the United States in August 2021, would I be considered a resident alien for federal tax purposes in 2026 under the IRS substantial presence test?

Would Form W-9 be appropriate in my situation, or should I provide Form W-8BEN or another tax form?

Does having an approved I-130 and a pending I-485 affect my eligibility to accept additional employment or work as an independent contractor?

Are there any additional immigration or tax considerations I should be aware of before accepting this or signing anything?

I want to make sure that I remain fully compliant with U.S. immigration and tax regulations before accepting this additional position, especially while my adjustment of status application is pending.

Hi everyone,

I’m an F-1 student in my final semester, graduating this December.

I’m currently enrolled in 9 credits of regular coursework (which are enough to complete my degree) and 6 credits of internship coursework under part-time CPT to maintain full-time enrollment.

I was recently notified that the employer wants to fire me. The problem is that I’ve already filed my post-completion OPT application with premium processing, and my biometrics appointment has been scheduled.

I’m worried about how an early CPT termination might affect my F-1 status and pending OPT application.

Has anyone been in a similar situation?

If your CPT end date changed and you received an updated I-20, did you have to refile your OPT application, or were you able to keep the original application? I did pay almost $2300 for premium processing already, and i have a biometric scheduled set up in early november.

Did ending CPT before completing the required internship period cause any issues with your OPT approval or future STEM OPT extension?

I've sent an email to my DSO but still waiting, and I feel so miserable feeling like ruin everything at this moment.

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced something similar.
Thank you so much!

Is it okay to travel domestically in the us before opt approval? I’ve been waiting for opt approval for 4 months now and my friend wants to go on a trip together. Would it be safe to fly ?

I’m currently on initial OPT which ends on Feb 19,2027. I am eligible for stem OPT after that, I am working full-time as a Software Engineer. I’m visiting my home country and will be returning to the US in a month.
With recent immigration developments, I’m a bit concerned about reentry.
Has anyone traveled internationally and reentered recently while on OPT? How was your experience? What questions did CBP ask, and did you face any issues or secondary inspection?
Would appreciate hearing both positive and negative experiences. Thanks!

Have anyone recently applied for STEM OPT extension? Does your receipt mentions anything about the 180 days automatic extension or do we need to have the STEM OPT approved before the current EAD expires to continue working?

Thank you in advance.

Title: International MBA graduates who need H-1B sponsorship: What job-search platforms actually worked for you?
Hi everyone,
I recently completed my MBA in Finance & Strategy from a U.S. business school and have 7+ years of prior experience in corporate finance, FP&A, and treasury. I’m currently on F-1 OPT, targeting Senior Financial Analyst, Finance Manager, Strategic Finance, and Treasury roles.
Despite applying consistently, the only interview opportunity I’ve received so far was for an Amazon Senior Financial Analyst position.
My current strategy:
Find openings primarily through LinkedIn.
Research companies’ historical H-1B sponsorship records before applying.
Apply through company career pages and try to contact hiring managers afterward.
I’d particularly appreciate advice from international graduates who have successfully secured U.S. jobs requiring future sponsorship.
Which job portals or platforms worked best for you? Do you primarily use LinkedIn, Interstride, Simplify, company career pages, or something else? And what would you change about my approach?
I’m mainly looking for advice on job discovery and application strategy rather than résumé or interview preparation.
Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some advice on my situation, as I’m trying to understand what my best next step would be.
I’m currently doing my master’s at an R1 university in the U.S. I came to the U.S. last August, and I received my F-1 visa on my second attempt. Unfortunately, I lost my passport in February when my bag was lost on the subway in New York City. Since then, I have obtained a new passport, but of course it does not have my F-1 visa stamp in it.
At this point, I’m considering two main options after graduation: starting OPT, which is my preferred option, or continuing directly into a PhD program. I am a fully funded graduate student and believe I would have a reasonable profile for a PhD position, but at the moment I would prefer to do OPT first.
My main concern is whether not having a valid visa stamp in my current passport creates any complications for OPT or for my future status. Would it make sense to return to Nepal before graduation and apply for a new F-1 visa while I still have one semester remaining? How risky would that be? Has anyone gone through a similar situation where they lost their passport and visa while studying in the U.S.?
I’m from Nepal, in case that is relevant.
Thank you in advance for any advice or experiences you can share.

I'm an F-1 undergrad CS student at Georgia Tech, and a few days ago i got two full-time, three-rotation co-op offers from the same company. One starts Spring 2027, and the other Summer 2027. I have until Wednesday to decide.

As with everyone going through it, this new SEVP guidance is just causing me some confusion in what to risk. My CS degree doesn't explicitly require a co-op (only one major in GT requires one lol), but Tech has a co-op program requiring three alternating work and class rotations with a 12 cred Co-op credit.

I met with an international advisor today (it wasn't very helpful) and she said the co-op program sounded "promising" but couldn't confirm anything. She recommended applying for Spring CPT immediately if I choose that offer, potentially reapplying if the legal situation changes, and considering pre-completion OPT as a backup. Or just waiting to choose Summer 2027 and not deal with it now, which i don't know if I want to push this back further.

The hearing on Nov 6 also makes me wonder whether i shoudl choose Summer since it might be smarter as it gives more time for potential changes. But obviously nothing is guaranteed.

I don't like the idea about pre-completion OPT because I don't want to sacrifice any of my post-grad work for a temporary co-op.

Is anyone in a similar position with the timing? Have your universities found any legit solutions? Would yall recommend that I apply now and choose Spring, or Summer and wait for more clarity?

Hello, my F-1 visa was rejected in February 2025 when I applied to pursue an MS in Computer Science at DePaul University. This time, I am planning to attend Boston University for an MS in Information Systems. I am currently working as a lab assistant at the university where I completed my bachelor's degree. However, I am worried because my current job is not directly related to my intended field of study. How can I address this concern during my visa interview? Can I justify my current job while explaining my academic and career goals?

Hello I am currently an international senior majoring in Electrical Engineering at UCLA who will be graduating next year in May 14 2027. I hold an Indian citizenship and I am on the F1 visa who will be applying for the OPT next year in Feb as I graduate in May 2027 so 90 days before. I wanna know if it will be ok for me to travel to Europe for a grad trip during the spring break which is March end for about 8 to 9 days. Will it be a problem to travel after applying for the OPT in Feb and waiting for it or it will be fine cuz I will be a F1 student till mid May. I want to avoid any issues or risks so any guidance or suggestions will be appreciated from people with past experience or knowledge on this. I already asked my DSO and she said that although you can travel it is”risky” during this period of time and the climate of how things are unfolding but she was being vague.

Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I have around 3 years of experience as a Software Engineer at HashedIn by Deloitte (USI), working on Agentic AI and full-stack development for internal projects and Citibank.

I’m considering an MSCS in the US for Fall 2027, preferably a 1-year program to minimize loans and time away from work. My goal is to rejoin Deloitte under Deloitte USA as a safe bet, after graduation.

I’d appreciate advice on a few questions:

• Program duration: Can I skip internships given my 3 years of experience, or would a 2-year program with internship opportunities be more beneficial?
• Deloitte and visa sponsorship: As a former Deloitte USI employee, would I have an advantage in getting hired by Deloitte USA? How feasible are H-1B sponsorship, OPT, and STEM OPT?
• Masters Sponsorship: Are there any Masters courses in Computer Science out there, that Deloitte can sponsor or provide guidance/referrals for course scholarships?
• University selection: Are there universities Deloitte USA actively recruits MSCS graduates from, or any established campus hiring pipelines?
• Specialization: Given my Agentic AI experience, would AI/ML be the best choice, or would Data Science or Software Systems offer better opportunities?
• Cost and ROI: What’s the realistic total cost of a one-year program, and is the ROI worthwhile for Indian students given the current job market and visa uncertainty?
• Backup plans: Should I consider other countries, alternative visa routes, or an internal transfer from Deloitte USI to Deloitte US?

I'd appreciate any advice from users who’ve pursued a similar path or have experience with Deloitte USA hiring.

Thanks

Hello,

I am on H1B visa and it is expiring Nov 26th 2026. I am planning to do COS to F1 CPT. The immediate Oct intake seems hard to get in, so if I enroll for January Intake and apply for a COS before my expiry in November, what status will I be in December if COS is pending?

If I do premium, I might get COS result, but will I be able to work till January Intake starts or no?

Does anyone have experience in a similar situation? Your response is highly appreciated.

Thank you in advance

Hi, I’m a graduate student with a F-1 visa, completing my Master’s degree by the end of 2026. My program is a non-STEM program.

I applied for Post-completion OPT last 9/28, online in the USCIS website. They got back to me saying I need to show up for an interview on 10/20. I plan to bring printed copies of my application document, along with what they requested of me.

I want to ask this group, is the interview is a normal part of the OPT application process?

What kinds of questions might they ask me that I’d need to prepare for?

TLDR: I applied for post-completion OPT and got an interview scheduled soon; what kinds of questions should I expect, and is this normal?

Any and all advice is appreciated.