currently on F1 with OPT, what options do I have after OPT?

[aga82 0]

Hello Everybody,

I came to US few years ago on tourist visa, after 6 months I applied for F1.In May 2011 I graduated from college and started my OPT.

Since September 2011 I work as a volunteer for a company in CA.I thought that by now they would be able to sponsor me for H1B visa, but unfortunately in this economy (and this is a small company) it won't happen this year (they said that next year when I become more valuable employee they will consider H1B).

So my OPT is valid until July 31 2012....what can I do to after OPT?

I don't want to come back to college again...it is too expensive option, and I've went trough this for 1.5 years and it costs way too much. $280 per unit (you need 12 because you have to be full time student)!!!crazy!!!

Please let me know what can I do...

and btw is there a part time H1B?If yes, how it works??

I heard that I can apply for J1?can you provide me with more details...

Please help me....thank you in advance for any ideas!

Cheers!

[Little_My 464]

Right now your options are pretty much either a new student/exchange visitor visa, i.e. the F1 or J1, or H1-B. For the student/exchange visitor visa, you will have to apply and be accepted to a study program, and then apply for the student visa. This, as you noted, is a fairly expensive option in the US.

For H1-B, you will have to find an employer who is willing to hire you and sponsor you a work visa. It doesn't really matter how many hours your employer would make you work for, as long as they can make the case of why to hire a foreigner over an American. In your case, that might be tricky if you have just finished college and therefore you probably don't yet have any specialized skills or notable relevant work experience from whatever would be the field you are interested working in.

There's more information on the H1-B requirements on the USCIS website, here:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=73566811264a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=73566811264a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD

Your options right now are pretty limited. It is hard to find an employer to sponsor you for an H1-B in this economy, and under no circumstances should you even consider staying past your authorized stay if you don't figure out a way to stay on a new visa. Overstay will come and haunt you for a very very long time, and can hinder or even totally kill your opportunities for any non-immigrant or even immigrant visa in the future.

[Darnell 8,478]

apply for work with a multinational company doing business in south east asia, get a slot somewhere in south east asia.

business is booming, there.

[jarta 24]

i also went to college in the US and did OPT like you. its true when you are done your OPT, you have limited options; you either get H1B visa, go back to school or go back home. when i was done my OPT, i was lucky enough that it was around the time that the government introduced the STEM extension OPT. basically STEM is for student who have degrees in the sciences and math field. it allows you to stay an extra 18months or so. anyway i applied for that and it was granted.

i don't know what sort of degree you have, but if you have a degree in maths or science and work in a related field, look into that option while your company works on H1B for you next year. you will need your current employer though to enroll in E-Verify program. you will need the E-Verify ID of the company once its enrolled in the E-Verify program when applying for this extension. you will also need letters and other stuff from your college. its a little bit of work but its worth it.

check out the link below

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=9a3d3dd87aa19110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

i hope that really helps you

[aga82 0]

Thank you guys for your fast response!!

I must read more about J1 and H1B....maybe if I can work part time the company I work for will be able to sponsor me on H1B...this would be the best option for me!

that company have few employees working for them on H1B so they have E-Verify ID.

Thx again!!

Cheers!

[Boiler 43,634]

H has to be full time.

[aga82 0]

That's the bummer !

[Boiler 43,634]

www.match.com?

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Hello Everybody,

I came to US few years ago on tourist visa, after 6 months I applied for F1.In May 2011 I graduated from college and started my OPT.

Since September 2011 I work as a volunteer for a company in CA.I thought that by now they would be able to sponsor me for H1B visa, but unfortunately in this economy (and this is a small company) it won't happen this year (they said that next year when I become more valuable employee they will consider H1B).

So my OPT is valid until July 31 2012....what can I do to after OPT?

I don't want to come back to college again...it is too expensive option, and I've went trough this for 1.5 years and it costs way too much. $280 per unit (you need 12 because you have to be full time student)!!!crazy!!!

Please let me know what can I do...

and btw is there a part time H1B?If yes, how it works??

I heard that I can apply for J1?can you provide me with more details...

Please help me....thank you in advance for any ideas!

Cheers!

I replied to your Polish post, but I saw somehting similar here about extension.

Anyhow, notice that you can't use special skills acquired at the company you are now to then use those to support your H1B in same company.

I'd either go back to college (I made a comment on how this could be financially possible in the Polish reply) or try to extend OPT while you look for a job elsewhere. In case of the OPT extension scenario, I'd still go to a different company, so you can acquire skills that can be used in the company you are now.

Depending on the specific degree you have, you also need to consider where in the country you would have better chances. For example, anything oil related: Houston, Dallas or the Gulf in general. Software has hot spots in various places, but each is distinct in the kind of skills wanted. In case you xtend OPT, I'd focus on specializing on a high demand transferable skillset and esentially become the go-to guy; then you will have good chances afterwards.

Edited April 13, 2012 by Gosia & Tito

[aga82 0]

Hello Gosia,

thx for your response.

I first post it in Polish because I had no idea I can only use Enlish.

I have a Masters Degree in Business Management on International Market.In May 2011 I achieved two certificates in local community college "Accountant" and "Tax preparation".

So you think that I can extend my OPT to 17 months?

I will call school and ask them about more details...

Thank you all for your great advice!!!

[jarta 24]

Hello Gosia,

thx for your response.

I first post it in Polish because I had no idea I can only use Enlish.

I have a Masters Degree in Business Management on International Market.In May 2011 I achieved two certificates in local community college "Accountant" and "Tax preparation".

So you think that I can extend my OPT to 17 months?

I will call school and ask them about more details...

Thank you all for your great advice!!!

if your degree is considered a STEM degree (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and currently working in a field related to your degree, then you might qualify for the extension.

i am not sure if your Business Management, Accounting or Tax preparation degrees would be considered a STEM degree. someone else might help you in that front. click on the list below to see if your degree is on that list

http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/stem-list-2011.pdf

i think they have added more degrees so you might be lucky.

all the best

[aga82 0]

if your degree is considered a STEM degree (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and currently working in a field related to your degree, then you might qualify for the extension.

i am not sure if your Business Management, Accounting or Tax preparation degrees would be considered a STEM degree. someone else might help you in that front. click on the list below to see if your degree is on that list

http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/stem-list-2011.pdf

i think they have added more degrees so you might be lucky.

all the best

I didn't find my degree-unfortunately...but thank you for your response!

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Hello Gosia,

thx for your response.

I first post it in Polish because I had no idea I can only use Enlish.

I have a Masters Degree in Business Management on International Market.In May 2011 I achieved two certificates in local community college "Accountant" and "Tax preparation".

So you think that I can extend my OPT to 17 months?

I will call school and ask them about more details...

Thank you all for your great advice!!!

No prob. I am the 'Tito' in 'Gosia & Tito'.

Your degree would not qualify I'm afraid.

With that degree I'll start hitting every and all distribution companies that procure internationally and even large retailers, like Walmart, Target (they source a great deal from overseas).

I think your best option might be back to school. With your degree, I'd go for a Finance specialization -if that is up your alley- or a Supply Chain; both of which would complement it. It would be possible to get some school financing for at least 1/2 tuition and perhaps full. ou need to get moving now if that is the direction, as you know deadlines for Spring start are around the corner. The good news is that with one business master nuder you belt, a second requires much less credits, possible only 10 courses (I am in one know myself right now)

[Darnell 8,478]

No time to investigate MNCs with big ops in SE Asia? What's up ?