Washington, D.C, USA: An international student on an F-1 visa finds themselves stuck in the U.S. immigration backlog. Despite paying for an expedited process, their OPT approval remains pending, putting their career prospects at serious risk.
Five Months, No Progress
The student submitted their application for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) on April 4. Now, almost five months later, they still have no approval, and the uncertainty threatens their job offer.
Premium Processing Brings No Relief
Hoping to speed things up, the student upgraded to premium processing on August 11. This option is supposed to ensure faster handling, but in this case, it has brought no progress, leaving them even more anxious.
Hitting a Wall with USCIS
Reaching USCIS for answers has been another struggle. The system makes it nearly impossible to connect with a live officer. Instead, the automated virtual assistant “Emma” only provides repetitive updates, urging patience while giving no real solution.
Mounting Pressure on Students
The student says they followed every requirement—applied early, paid the fees, and even opted for premium service. Still, there is no indication of when their case will be resolved. They are not alone; many international students are facing the same prolonged uncertainty.
Future on the Line
Time is running out as employers cannot hold positions indefinitely. Without timely action from USCIS, job offers may be withdrawn, leaving talented students without opportunities. The growing delays highlight a major challenge for thousands of international graduates who are left waiting in silence.
