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I have been having this major hassle with my OPT STEM extension.
My initial OPT wsa approved in Feb 12 and got over in Feb 13. In January 13, we had applied for STEM extension, without furnishing the I20. We couldn't furnish the I20, because school DSO was unable to create it, which after consultation with SEVP turned out to be because USCIS. USCIS had not updated the status in their system from "pending" to "approved" during the processing of my first OPT.
After communication with USCIS they asked us to send the documents without the I20 and explain the issue in a separate letter. So we filed for the same, without the I20. Now in June 2013, USCIS send me an RFE requesting me to send the I20 within 3 months. We duly forwarded the request to SEVP, to create the I20. SEVP did not respond within the alloted time and USCIS meanwhile declined my OPT STEM extension because of lack of evidence (I20) in October. Now by the time, SEVP decided to open the case on their end, USCIS had closed my case and my status was in limbo, and therefore SEVP could not create the I20. We filed for motion to reopen the case, after we recieved the letter from SEVP in January and send that to USCIS. I have also expedited the process now, once they send me the receipt of my application (MTR).
Now the dilemma is this. I have a month (because I need to apply for H1B latest by April 1) to get USCIS to approve my motion, reopen the case, get SEVP to process and create a new I20 and then send that to USCIS again, and get my OPT STEM approved.
What is the most frustrating is that, it is all because of a minor mistake (on behalf) of USCIS of not up updating their system. Do any of you have any suggestion or input about, anything I can do to make this all happen.
My initial OPT wsa approved in Feb 12 and got over in Feb 13. In January 13, we had applied for STEM extension, without furnishing the I20. We couldn't furnish the I20, because school DSO was unable to create it, which after consultation with SEVP turned out to be because USCIS. USCIS had not updated the status in their system from "pending" to "approved" during the processing of my first OPT.
After communication with USCIS they asked us to send the documents without the I20 and explain the issue in a separate letter. So we filed for the same, without the I20. Now in June 2013, USCIS send me an RFE requesting me to send the I20 within 3 months. We duly forwarded the request to SEVP, to create the I20. SEVP did not respond within the alloted time and USCIS meanwhile declined my OPT STEM extension because of lack of evidence (I20) in October. Now by the time, SEVP decided to open the case on their end, USCIS had closed my case and my status was in limbo, and therefore SEVP could not create the I20. We filed for motion to reopen the case, after we recieved the letter from SEVP in January and send that to USCIS. I have also expedited the process now, once they send me the receipt of my application (MTR).
Now the dilemma is this. I have a month (because I need to apply for H1B latest by April 1) to get USCIS to approve my motion, reopen the case, get SEVP to process and create a new I20 and then send that to USCIS again, and get my OPT STEM approved.
What is the most frustrating is that, it is all because of a minor mistake (on behalf) of USCIS of not up updating their system. Do any of you have any suggestion or input about, anything I can do to make this all happen.
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