🔺 r/f1visauUSA-Student2408·16 days ago
OPT Denied After Program Extension While I-765 Was Pending – F-1 / SEVIS Completed
Hi everyone, I’m looking for advice from DSOs or anyone who has experienced something similar. I am an F-1 student and filed my post-completion OPT I-765 on March 11, 2026 under category (c)(3)(B) after receiving my OPT-recommended I-20. At the time I applied, I expected to complete my program normally. In May, after my OPT application was already pending, I received a D in one required course , which left me 3 credits short of completing my degree. I immediately contacted my university’s International Student Services and explained that my OPT was already pending. I specifically asked how taking an additional course would affect my OPT and SEVIS status. On May 13 , ISSS instructed me to request a program extension , and they issued me a new Program Extension I-20. I followed their instructions and completed the additional course. My OPT application remained pending during this time. Later, the university told me that because my program had been extended after I filed for OPT, I should have withdrawn the pending OPT application , and that now they could not issue another OPT I-20 because I was beyond the OPT application deadline. My school says my SEVIS record was marked “Completed…