USCIS Receipt Notice Delays

Many students are reporting delays in receiving a receipt notice after submitting their I-765 to USCIS for OPT/STEM authorization. If you recently filed an application with USCIS and are experiencing a delay in receiving your receipt notice or the filing fee being processed, please note that this is currently a national trend.

If it has been more than 60 days since filing and you have not received your receipt, you can follow the steps HERE to inquire about your case.

Ask USCIS for Help: Applicants who have not received a receipt notice within 60 days of filing should first contact USCIS. If this does not work, proceed to step 2.
Submit Request for Case Assistance with the Ombudsman:The CIS Ombudsman's Office recommends submitting requests for case assistance online using the electronic Form DHS-7001. The second best option is via email at cisombudsman@hq.dhs.gov. Please note that due to security measures with the government mail system, correspondence (even those sent by express mail) may be significantly delayed.

We do not recommend that you re-file your application with USCIS unless you are personally advised by an immigration attorney to do so (in which case you must still contact VIS to obtain the new I-20).

While this is a known issue, we do not know when circumstances will improve.

General Tips

Keep Track of Shipping Information

Please ensure that you have your shipping information readily available including the tracking number, the address the application was mailed to, and when it was received in case any questions arise. Do not lose this information.

Call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283

We recommend calling USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 to find out if they have more information about your OPT application. Some USCIS representatives may be able to file a service request on your behalf. If this is possible, they will provide a reference number for you to follow up on the case.

Email the USCIS Lockbox Facility

You may email lockboxsupport@uscis.dhs.gov for assistance. When emailing, we recommends providing your full name and SEVIS ID number, so it is easier to identify you and find your case.

Can I work with an expired EAD while my 24-month extension is pending?

STEM OPT employment authorization is a 24-month extension of the standard Post-completion OPT. This authorization begins the day after the expiration of the standard Post-completion OPT employment authorization, regardless of the date the actual extension is approved. Review the Code of Federal Regulation [8 CFR 214.2(f)(11)(iii)(A)] here.

If the F-1 student properly files a STEM OPT Extension application with USCIS, they may continue employment with the STEM OPT employer indicated on Form I-983 for up to 180 days after the expiration of the Post-completion OPT. Review the Code of Federal Regulation [8 CFR 274a.12(b)(6)(iv)] here.

If there are additional employer questions about the validity of the 180-day period after the expiration of the Post-completion OPT, please visit  USCIS Form M-274 Handbook for Employers  or USCIS I-9 Q&A.

Home

Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is provided by Visa and Immigration Services as a service solely to the international students and scholars of Stony Brook University. We make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in this handout. As legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case, and laws are constantly changing, nothing provided herein should be considered legal advice or used as a substitute for the advice of competent counsel.

E-5310 Frank J. Melville Jr. Memorial Library Stony Brook, NY 11794-3393

Phone: (631) 632-4685 Fax: (631) 632-7064

vis@stonybrook.edu

Report an accessibility barrier