Community OPT timeline
Explore a community OPT timeline of recent Initial OPT and STEM OPT cases. Filter by case type and processing path to see how similar F-1 student filings are moving before you dive into individual source reports.
What this OPT timeline shows
The community OPT timeline is a browsable view of recent Optional Practical Training and STEM OPT cases collected from verified submissions and public Reddit reports. Each row highlights filing date, case type, processing path, service center when known, current status label, and days to approval when the case has already been decided.
Unlike a Case Checker verdict, the OPT timeline is designed for exploration. Students can scan whether recent Initial OPT filings are clustering around certain wait times, whether premium cases are moving differently, or whether STEM OPT rows are still sparse for a given week. Source links remain visible so community transparency stays part of the product.
How to read OPT timeline filters
Start with case type. Initial OPT and STEM OPT should not be mixed when you are trying to understand a personal wait. Then choose regular or premium processing. Premium rows can look dramatically faster, so blending them into a regular OPT timeline average can create false expectations.
Median approval days on this page summarize only the currently filtered set. If you tighten filters and the sample shrinks, treat the median cautiously. A short OPT timeline list can still be useful for qualitative scanning, but it is not a substitute for the Case Checker's cohort-aware verdict.
Using the OPT timeline with the Case Checker
A practical workflow is to run the Case Checker first for a verdict on whether your wait looks normal, then open this OPT timeline to inspect the broader community pattern. The Case Checker answers the judgment question. The OPT timeline answers the browse-and-compare question.
OPT Pulse remains an independent community OPT tracker and is not affiliated with USCIS. Timeline data is informational only. Always confirm official status through USCIS and consult your DSO or immigration counsel before making employment, travel, or STEM OPT decisions.