USCIS Extends Flexibilities to International Students' Delayed OPT Applications

Are you also experiencing delays on your OPT application? The good news is USCIS is trying to address the issues, and meanwhile offering some new flexibilities to help you get through the difficult time. Let's take a look at some details:

Why is the processing delayed? 

Many students reported delays in late October at the lockbox in Dallas. Without OPT approvals, these students fear that they may lose their job offers and be forced to leave the US. 

USCIS said the delays were caused by COVID-19 restrictions, an increased number of filing requests, an increased volume of postal service and other factors. 

USCIS Extends Flexibilities to International Students

While USCIS is making progress in addressing the delay issues, the agency is giving the following flexibilities to assist certain application for OPT impacted by the delays:

• Applicants applied after Oct. 1st, 2020 to May 1st, 2021 will be able to commence the OPT program from the date their application is approved. (before it was from the end of the courses.)
• USCIS will approve applications with validity dates reflecting the same amount of time originally recommended by designated school official from their school on Form I-20.
• Students who receive an approval for less than the full amount of OPT time requested due to the 14-month time limit can request a correction
• Applicants who submitted on time but rejected or left unable to reapply due to the delays will be able to re-file.

Are you affected by the delays? What do you think about these new flexibilities from USCIS? I think they can be very helpful!

Learn more USCIS updates here:

• Biden Reversed Trump's COVID-19 Freeze on Green Cards and Work Visas
• USCIS Applies 2008 Naturalization Civics Test Beginning March 1st!