f-1 visa expired and want to file opt

[bhavikshah_usa]

hi my f-1 visa has been expired in september 2004 and i will graduate in april 2005. my advisor told me that i will be out of status as soon as i will graduate and have to leave the country and cant come before 4 month . also i have to take new admission and come back with new i 20 . i dont want to leave the country . is there anyway i can stay here and change my visa status?>

 

[LucyMO]

did your VISA or STATUS expire in September of 2004? It's important.

If your status (I-20) is valid through April 2005, you should apply for OPT BEFORE graduation, probably, a month before graduation would be fine. Then, you can work for a year or be actively looking for work. I don't know why your advisor says you'd be out of status as soon as you graduate. You have a 60 day grace period to wrap up your affairs anyway.

So, your choices are:
1. OPT
2. New school or new program with new I-20 (don't have to leave the US)
3. leaving the US after graduation and coming back later with a new I-20 and visa. Don't have to wait for 4 months.
4. OPT and then new school