Can I apply for OPT? now?

S

seeker5five

New Member
Hi,

I tried to trawl through the forum for answer to my query but I was not sure I understood right, hence this post here. Apologies in advance if it is a double post!

Some facts: I transferred to a US college as a transfer student,fall sem -Aug 08. Then I was on a H4 status. I applied for a COS to F1 and it was approved Mid February 09.

My bachelors course is due to complete by Dec 15th 09 (Shorter time since I was able to transfer many credits back from my home country).

My Question: I know that I can apply 90 before completion to 60 days post completion. Also USCIS should receive receipt within 30 days of SEVIS updation.The question remains - When should I apply for OPT? because

Is it true that you have to be on F1 status for 1 year/9 months ? - I
Or is that I have to be a registered full time for atleast 1 yr irrespective of F1 status?- which I was - II


So for I - I didn't get this info on the USCIS website and my DSO has no idea of this rule . If this is the case , please suggest what should I do?

So for II - Can I apply right away?

Is there any link for better explanation of this rule?

Many thanks in advance

Regards
Seeker.
 
Here's an update -

This is the page I came across - its on the ufic-ufl-edu website under the issfaq.htm#16 section (not posting the URL as I have not made 15 posts or more)

And has the following info

What is a full academic year?
Two semesters (fall and spring semesters) are considered a full academic year. The summer is not taken into account when calculating a full academic year.

What if I changed status to F1 from a prior visa category. Does the time I spent in school prior to having F1 status count towards the full academic year requirement?
For example, if you were in H4 visa status during the fall semester taking a full course load, but you became an F1 during the following spring semester and still maintained a full course load, yes, the fall semester as an H4 and the spring semester as an F1 will count towards the full academic year.


Can the esteemed members confirm that the above info is right?

Thanks Again

Regards
Seeker.
 
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