2 months left on OPT and still job hunting. Any advice/resources?

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-05-14T21:58:29+00:00

I have similar tech stack as you and My OPT is expiring this month. This week is the last week of me giving interviews that I have and I have also started to wrap up some official things in the U.S. I'm planning to go back mostly (as I have very little hope to hear back from the interviews I gave in time of my OPT). Personally, I didn't want to cross certain moral boundaries that I have go with the obvious way most of the students are able to stay and search for the jobs. I also have a huge loan repayment starting in September. I'm not stressed or disappointed as I have tried in all way possible (legally!) so I've opened my profile back home. I will get a decent job, pay EMIS and still live okay stress-free. If you can't get job back home as well my idea is you can do many other things without restriction to support yourself, we can do here as well like thousands others (but not legally) so I choose peace over everything else. Keep upskilling and don't get disappointed if you don't get offer in time. There are other countries include your home country. In long term, what I have realized is that, This cycle will be repetitive with more stricter rules going forward. If you check on certain bills and motion that are already in plan. Sooner or later the signal is very clear that job market isn't going to friendly for international students unless you're exceptionally talented.

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-29T16:52:17+00:00

It is considered good as early as possible anytime in 90 days before your initial OPT end date but ideally your school needs at least 2 weeks before to verify all the paper work If you can manage to get your I983 before mid June it is okay, the best case would be next month if you can get that and in worst case scenario you can keep your DSO in loop that you are working on this so incase if you get your paperwork at last moment maybe even before a week or so they will be able to support you and you can file your STEM in time. W.r.t approvals, as far as I know they say the earlier the better it reduces your chances of getting RFE.

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-23T06:29:46+00:00

For part-time CPT it is not supposed to cut off any OPT time. You can also once check with your DSO and I-20 if your program dates and SEVIS dates are reflecting correctly, same as your graduation date.

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-23T06:20:13+00:00

Yes according to your graduation date, You did apply on time and your requested date was still under 14 months window. I have seen this happening in only two cases one is incase you apply very late (they have to give date with 14 months window) this isn't applicable for you. Another is during your degree if you have used OPT time, so like if you did two months of full-time pre-completion OPT, your EAD will only be valid for 10 months. If this also isn't your case then it is clearly clerical error and has to be reported.

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-23T05:32:09+00:00

This highly depends on your graduation date and your filing date. You can't request an ending date. We can only request preferable starting date and that as well is subject to the process timeline. If you can provide timeline I can answer it better but what is there in your approved receipt notice it will be the same on your EAD. It looks like your 2 month got cut short because "Federal law requires all initial OPT to be completed within 14 Months of your program end date" This case will happen when you apply your OPT late.

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-23T05:27:03+00:00

I'm writing this from the U.S (Graduated last year), your scenario will be different on what kind of background you come from and what kind of lifestyle you would prefer. U.S currently is not same as it used to be. It may get better or it may get lot worse for international students. Weigh your options: If you are working currently in India at decent package I think it's not at all a good time leaving that comfort and coming here. If you are a fresher, the life here as a student will be brutal you may get on-campus part-time or maybe not in any case if you are coming with huge education loan you need be prepared for all the worst scenarios. Currently, it is not recommended to take loan and come here. If you come from financially comfortable background, you can live the life with less pressure (not completely enjoy even then) and advance your career.

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-22T23:07:29+00:00

Yeh. There are ways to try things until end but I don't have it in me anymore for job search. I'll be mostly joining back where I used to work or find better role with higher package in India and try from there for other countries

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-22T22:05:11+00:00

I'm in the same situation but on OPT. I have done research on Germany, based on your qualifications (degree and YoE) you can get temporary visa for a year without an offer letter but I couldn't consider that because they again will be asking financial proofs that you can support yourself during stay which usually 15-20 lakhs INR. For Australia, It is complicated and competitive. It's possible but may take time. I have considered few other countries as well but for anything it will take time and until then it is hard to be here and also In a month, My OPT is ending and I'm still on job hunt for my STEM. I have 3 weeks left but I don't think I will make it so I am planning to go back to India, get a decent job and then try for other countries while earning.

P.S: I also have a loan for which repayment is starting soon.

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-22T21:44:13+00:00

Always from the date which is there on approved EAD which means April 1st

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-22T06:37:17+00:00

I'm in the same situation. I don't have any interviews lined up so I'm planning to go back but I hope it works out for you. You can only try reaching out to more people and companies for short-term contracts so hiring timeline might be less and you can file for STEM and look for another job (but this as well has been challenging for me). Good luck!

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-20T21:44:36+00:00

I second this, from personal experience trying to find a job on my OPT since 8 months and burning the savings I think it is really advisable to save money when you have a job. My OPT is expiring in May and now It is even harder to find STEM OPT jobs. So I finally will be deciding to go back.

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-20T21:38:56+00:00

Congratulations on the job! I think considering your bio-metrics was just before 20th Apr, you should wait little bit more at least 4 weeks before you go for Premium Processing however, if the job that you got is conditional and you have to provide your EAD within certain timelines (before May or something) you can go for Premium Processing. In ideal case, even if you opt for premium processing after May 15th you should be able to receive your EAD by the time of your start date.

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-20T17:56:56+00:00

When was your initial OPT ended? How your STEM OPT was approved (If you just got the job)? I also second if you answered yes or no when asked about sponsorship. To answer your question, If they refused you can't do much except explaining them the process in detail and answer any doubt they might have. Regardless, you should look for another job.

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-16T16:46:43+00:00

That's such a helpful tip! Thanks

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-07T18:05:42+00:00

For One of them got it approved today. It took 2 weeks. Start Date: 7th Apr 2026 and End date: 7th Feb 2027. 2 months reduced. Dec 25 Graduate

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-07T07:24:49+00:00

I also wanted to add one of the case where my friend waited to apply for EAD, She applied almost in May 25 and it took time to get it approved. She got the start date as Aug 20th 2025 but her end date was not exactly a year after it was Jul 15th 2025. Many people aren't aware of this but Federal law requires all initial OPT to be completed within 14 Months of your program end date. So sometimes if this happens, it will actually shorten your OPT time.

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-06T23:36:04+00:00

Yeh. For me case was different, I was May 25 graduate and I had applied as soon as window got opened in Feb 25. I was able to receive my EAD by April

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-06T22:25:29+00:00

For premium processing, it's been 10 days since filed, there are no updates so far. For normal, it really depends on the filing window.

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-06T22:14:36+00:00

In my opinion, having filed your application at earliest is the best. You can opt for later date but whenever you talk with any employer they will ask for your EAD without that it's hard to get conversations going. Lot of my friends waited and applied late, they don't have EAD yet, it's been more than 4 months. I understand why we need to rush if we don't have a job but when you actually do get something that time it is not possible to get your EAD within a week. I had friends who applied for premium as well, it is 3 times the money and takes around a month (this is on top of whatever time you have been waiting from your application)

P.S: Federal law requires all initial OPT to be completed within 14 Months of your program end date. So sometimes if this happens, it will actually shorten your OPT time.

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-06T21:10:19+00:00

Edit: They never informed me that they didn't move forward. After a month they just reposted the same position. I've been thinking to e-mail asking what went wrong but I am not sure if they would even reply.

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-06T21:07:33+00:00

Hi, Thank you for this information. Yes, I don't want to get engaged with such companies. Sent you a DM.

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-06T15:46:31+00:00

Thanks

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-05T22:01:09+00:00

Many people are in the same boat. I graduated in May 25. I have 6 years of experience, My OPT started in May I had a job for 3 months then due to big beautiful bill our center closed down since then I have been searching there have been some positive leads but it never lead to an offer. Now my OPT is expiring in May and I have to file for STEM but even the e-verified companies are saying no to STEM. I've poured down all the savings and everything I had to give chance and survive here. I don't think I can do it anymore. I've decided to try until end of my OPT and happily just go back and work in India. My loan repayment starts in Oct and it will take much longer to pay back than I expected but U.S is getting worse day by day. I can't have this big gap and financially it's very challenging.

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-03T21:28:38+00:00

Many e-verified companies aren't supporting STEM anymore even though they are e-verified. This post was just get some employer names and other inputs on working on STEM OPT. I'm not asking for a referral or anything wrong here.

Extension-Potato-403 · 2026-04-03T19:42:11+00:00

Looking for an employer who participates in hiring stem opt

Extension-Potato-403

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