Have you Talked to your school yet? Usually you should apply for STEM extension 90 days in advance. USCIS usually takes 90 days to make a decision. Whenever they receive incomplete document they will mail it back and put your application on hold and only when they get back your full application they will start counting the days. So they will start counting days only after they receive it the second time. Usually you should be able to work for about 90 days after your initial OPT expires and your STEM application begins but if you don't get it by then, then you should stop working and start looking for options like joining a school. Contact your school immigration advisor and good luck.

namaskaar · Apr 10, 2011 7:02 PM

 the first thing you should do is to communicate with school about this situation. next things, when uscis say the application is in initial review, u should not worry.  Namaskaar is also right.

bbmb · Apr 10, 2011 7:42 PM

 What's the receipt date on USCIS notice form? As long as the receipt date is before ur OPT expiration date, u r fine to work up to 180 days as long as ur extension is pending. So check the receipt date. If your receipt date is after the OPT expiry date, then talk to ur supervisor.  

ark · Apr 10, 2011 9:00 PM

 thanks ark, my receipt date is after opt expiration, does this mean they might not extend my opt?

robinium · Apr 10, 2011 9:39 PM

 Here is the case of one person:  OPT expiry date: Oct 1 STEM applied: Sep 24 returned back for correction: Oct 2 sent after correction: Oct 4 Status: OPT got denied,  Reason stated: Application received post the expiry date.  So not sure what happens in ur case, could be lucky.  I don't know which datet u mean by saying you applied for extension on time. USCIS recommends applying as early as possible (withing 3 months of expiry) so that something happens like this, you will have enough time to resubmit. 

ark · Apr 10, 2011 10:01 PM

 thanks ark, i had to do it at last moment because my employer was initially reluctant  to do e verify . anyways looks like it's best for me to go for grad school sevis transfer immediately instead of waiting for opt extension.

robinium · Apr 10, 2011 10:38 PM

 also urgent:  is there any way around it if the company is not e-verified?

wtf · Apr 11, 2011 1:32 PM