How do I expedite my OPT application?

It is very difficult to get OPT applications expedited. USCIS indicates normal processing time for OPT applications to be up to 5 months, and expedites for “outside normal processing times” cannot be requested until an application has been pending at least 5 months.

Official USCIS expedite criteria is available on the USCIS website.

NOTE: USCIS updated their expedite guidance in 2019 and has indicated that financial hardship to employer is defined as hardship severe enough that it would cause the company/organization to go out of business. This is a more strict interpretation than previous years and has made this expedite criteria difficult to utilize.

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A Green Card application has been filed on my behalf, and the Form I-140 has been approved, can MIT continue to issue Form I-20/Form DS-2019 for me to maintain my F-1 or J-1 student status and authorized F-1/J-1 benefits?

My F-1 OPT/STEM OPT application has been approved but I have not received the EAD card, what can I do?

For F-1 Off-Campus Employment, all positions must be directly related to my MIT degree “major field of study” – is there any guidance on how to determine “directly related”?

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