Hi,
I need some information on the H1-B to F1 conversion. My company started my Labor Certification process in September 2004, and so far, there has been no update. I am planning to join a business school this fall, and hence will need to convert to F1.
I am traveling outside US for some project work this week, and will be going to India for my H1-B stamping in April. I will be back in April end, and will apply for Change of Status to convert to F1 visa. I have few questions and will appreciate any inputs.
1. Does filing for Labor Certification same as filing for an immigrant visa? I guess both H1-B and F1 are non immigrant visas, but I am not sure what happens if one has started the LC process - can one still change to F1 satus?
2. The visa application asks - Has anyone applied for an immigrant visa for you. Should I say yes or no?
3. I have been working in my presesnt job on H1-B visa for more than a year (since January 2004). Prior to that, I have been on F1 status (from September 1999 till January 2001), H1 status (from February 2001 till October 2002) and L1 status (from April 2003 till December 2003). If I go for my H1 stamping in April and come to USA on that and then apply for a change of status in May, is there any risk involved?
4. How long does it take to convert from H1-B to F1 status, and hence if I need to start school in August, when should I apply?
5. Can I start school once I apply for change of status or do I have to wait to get my F1 apporoval notice?
6. Once I apply for change of status, can I continue working on my current H1-B visa? If yes, till what time?
7. In the visa application, there are two questions - one asks "Do you plan to work in the USA" and the other one "Do you want to study in the USA". I am guessing I should answer yes and no respectively for my H1 stamp, and only apply for change of status once I am back in the USA.
8. Is there any premium processing for F1 visa, or not?
I will appreciate if I can get some pointers here.
Thanks.
I need some information on the H1-B to F1 conversion. My company started my Labor Certification process in September 2004, and so far, there has been no update. I am planning to join a business school this fall, and hence will need to convert to F1.
I am traveling outside US for some project work this week, and will be going to India for my H1-B stamping in April. I will be back in April end, and will apply for Change of Status to convert to F1 visa. I have few questions and will appreciate any inputs.
1. Does filing for Labor Certification same as filing for an immigrant visa? I guess both H1-B and F1 are non immigrant visas, but I am not sure what happens if one has started the LC process - can one still change to F1 satus?
2. The visa application asks - Has anyone applied for an immigrant visa for you. Should I say yes or no?
3. I have been working in my presesnt job on H1-B visa for more than a year (since January 2004). Prior to that, I have been on F1 status (from September 1999 till January 2001), H1 status (from February 2001 till October 2002) and L1 status (from April 2003 till December 2003). If I go for my H1 stamping in April and come to USA on that and then apply for a change of status in May, is there any risk involved?
4. How long does it take to convert from H1-B to F1 status, and hence if I need to start school in August, when should I apply?
5. Can I start school once I apply for change of status or do I have to wait to get my F1 apporoval notice?
6. Once I apply for change of status, can I continue working on my current H1-B visa? If yes, till what time?
7. In the visa application, there are two questions - one asks "Do you plan to work in the USA" and the other one "Do you want to study in the USA". I am guessing I should answer yes and no respectively for my H1 stamp, and only apply for change of status once I am back in the USA.
8. Is there any premium processing for F1 visa, or not?
I will appreciate if I can get some pointers here.
Thanks.