Discuss optgirl's OPT USCIS Case

OPT case: Approved in 47 days (31 days less than average)
Ghana
no
Vermont
16 Apr 2014
regular
18 Apr 2014
no
approved
02 Jun 2014
02 Jun 2014
07 Jun 2014
47 days
Rutgers
23 Apr 2014
07 Jun 2014
Called on expedite and was denied. received denial of expedite in the mail 4 days after calling. Received my approval letter 06.05.14


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Users currently watching this case: agoodgirl, optgirl, rohtas, humming28, redherring, joewang 43 Comments

Posted by agoodgirl
24 Apr 2014 #1
optgirl, welcome to the 'April Group.'
You make the 7th.

= = = = = = = = =

So far, 6 of us have filed in April.
optapplicant1 April 1st, sent to Vermont.
agoodgirl filed April 3rd, sent to Vermont.
Keiiah filed April 8th, sent to Nebraska.
mashka filed April 10th, sent to Nebraska.
Lily filed April 11th, sent to Vermont
humming28 filed April 14th, sent to Vermont.
Posted by optgirl
29 Apr 2014 #2
Thank you, agoodgirl! Early ositive decisions to us all!
Posted by rohtas
20 May 2014 #3
have you heard back from them ?
Posted by optgirl
21 May 2014 #4
Sorry for the seemingly late response.I had responded yesterday but it looks like the system didn't add my comment. I haven't heard from them yet. I hope I do soon because I have till June 2 :(
Posted by humming28
21 May 2014 #5
Hey optgirl,

I guess we are in a very similar situation. I have until June 2nd too :( We applied around the same time. I'm really hoping all works out well! pray xoxo
Posted by humming28
01 Jun 2014 #6
Hey optgirl,

Is your case approve?
Posted by optgirl
01 Jun 2014 #7
Nothing:( you?
Posted by optgirl
01 Jun 2014 #8
I just checked after responding to your post and it said on may 28, your alien registration number was changed....hopefully, that means something positive. Will keep you posted.
Posted by humming28
01 Jun 2014 #9
That's really good news! I heard that means you are approved! I still haven't heard anything :( Did you tell your employer about this?
Posted by optgirl
01 Jun 2014 #10
I did not. However I called to request an expedited process but i was denied.
Posted by rohtas
01 Jun 2014 #11
Where did you check to see that your alien registration number is changed ?
Posted by optgirl
01 Jun 2014 #12
on the uscis website: https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/Dashboard/CaseStatus.do
Posted by optgirl
01 Jun 2014 #13
Really? How? Have others gotten the same feedback and got approved? Still at initial review though.
Posted by rohtas
02 Jun 2014 #14
Same here. I am on initial review since 14th April . It never changes :(
Posted by rohtas
02 Jun 2014 #15
Did you inquire about your case ? it says on the OPT website that after 75 days you can inquire
Posted by optgirl
02 Jun 2014 #16
My case is not yet 75 days. I'll just wait and see what happens. Did you also get the alien number change thing?
Rohtas
Posted by rohtas
02 Jun 2014 #17
No. I have not. I am still on initial review. What did you write in your expedite request ? I will have to make one too, can you tell me what you wrote and attached ?
Posted by optgirl
02 Jun 2014 #18
I just called and told them I wanted to request for expedite. Request was denied through snail mail :(
Posted by rohtas
02 Jun 2014 #19
Oh. I thought one had to write an application. Thanks. Which number did you call ?
Posted by optgirl
02 Jun 2014 #20
1-800-375-5283
Posted by humming28
03 Jun 2014 #21
Congrats! May I know what time did they update yours and did they email you?
Posted by optgirl
03 Jun 2014 #22
Last I checked was 10:30pm yesterday and it was still at initial review. Then I checked as soon as I woke up this morning t around 7:30am and it had changed to card production. Also they didn't email me. The only email I have received so far is the one that says my application has been received and included my receipt number. Maybe you should try to call to expedite. Have you done that already?
Posted by humming28
03 Jun 2014 #23
Did you do any biometrics too?
Posted by optgirl
03 Jun 2014 #24
No biometrics.
Posted by rohtas
03 Jun 2014 #25
thanks for the help opt girl. my employment begins in 2 weeks. But I received my email receipt on 14th April. So i am kind of worried about my application. Can you tell me how the expedite request call goes ? Can I state that 2 weeks are left as a legit reason ?
Posted by optgirl
03 Jun 2014 #26
Hmmm! That was the same reason I gave them and got denied. The link: http://www.uscis.gov/forms/expedite-criteria gives you the criteria for making expedite requests. You'll speak to a customer service rep who will forward your request and give you a request number. You may or may not hear back immediately regarding their response. You'll just have to wait till you hear back. If you don't hear back say after 3-4days, call again. they may pass you on to an officer. At least that was how mine went.
Posted by optgirl
03 Jun 2014 #27
Oh and the officer just told me my request was denied and wouldn't say anything else. Just said to wait.
Posted by rohtas
03 Jun 2014 #28
So what criteria did you mention for your expedite request ?
Posted by rohtas
04 Jun 2014 #29
Thanks a lot anyways. My opt application was approved today :)
Posted by optgirl
04 Jun 2014 #30
Nice, Rohtas, congrats! Did it just say approved or they sent it for card production. This card receipt seems like it'll take another decade. I hope not.humming28 did you hear anything?
Posted by rohtas
04 Jun 2014 #31
Just says approved..it has not gone to card production stage
Posted by joewang
05 Jun 2014 #32
do we really need to have to show the card the employer?

or we just show it is approved and then we can work……

my case is still under review
Posted by optgirl
05 Jun 2014 #33
Apparently, we cannot start working until we have the card in our hands to show the employer. Without the card we cannot be put into the system to receive paychecks. Also, the start date maybe different from what we originally requested. This is my opinion.
Posted by joewang
06 Jun 2014 #34
after your received the approval letter, when do you get the card?

Posted by optgirl
06 Jun 2014 #35
I have no idea because I don't have card yet. They said they mailed it today though.
Posted by joewang
06 Jun 2014 #36
02 Jun 2014 is the card production date. So it is about 4 days production period. opt girl? are you doing optimization?
Posted by optgirl
06 Jun 2014 #37
That's about right. What do you mean by optimization?
Posted by joewang
06 Jun 2014 #38
field of study. I know a bunch of people in OR center of rutgers are doing optimization (research)
Posted by optgirl
06 Jun 2014 #39
Nope.
Posted by joewang
06 Jun 2014 #40
how many times did you call for expedite?

thanks
Posted by optgirl
06 Jun 2014 #41
Once to put in request then another after 4 days when I hadn't heard back.
Posted by joewang
07 Jun 2014 #42
congratulation!!!
Posted by optgirl
07 Jun 2014 #43
Thank you and good luck to everyone!

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