Hi folks,

A friend of mine living in Texas is soon (within the next 6 months) set to return to her country of origin after having a work visa (not an H1).

She recently got linked up with a company that is willing to offer her a job and hence, sponsorship there, but obviously with certain status undertones that would effectively make her an out of status worker. A friend of hers would be the ghost payee... and I am trying to counsel her not to do that. The company is also willing to sponsor her as an H1 but she'd have to return to her country to finish her university degree.

In the interest of time, does anyone know if private companies are allowed to give scholarships to international students to serve as the financial backing required for the procurement of student visas here? I told her to investigate with her contact at the company as this would potentially work to protect all parties involved from breaking any of the more serious USCIS regulations as it pertains to working.

She'll probably have to return to her country anyway if that were the case to process such a student visa anyway. I guess it will depend on the company and the legality of the issue. Any ideas?