My friend and I are both Australians on F1 visas, and after completing study decided to continue on OPT training. However, when we went home for Christmas, we (stupidly) forgot our Sevis I-20 forms and forgot to obtain new visas (ours had expired). Needless to say, we had a terrible time trying to re-enter, and we were finally admitted on some kind of waiver status called I-193.
I’m not sure exactly what this means or how it is going to affect requests to change our status. For example, my friend has applied for a driver’s license but has been refused. We are unclear why and worry that this is not a good sign.
We’d both like to stay in the States a little longer and are trying to find the most feasible way of doing this.
1. My friend has a good OPT job that has offered to support a request for a H1. What is the best course of action given the I-193? Should he (a) return home and apply from there (b) get a lawyer and apply from here (c) start by sending his papers to immigration to be “stamped” – our I-20 is missing stamps as a result of our entry status.
2. My job has ended and my OPT ends at the end of July. I’m considering either (a) applying to change my status to tourist by posting a change of status request from or (b) going to do a 2 year community college course and applying for another F1. In this case I may be able to transfer to a new F1 which may be easier?
What would be my chances of either of these options given the I-193? Am I going to have to return home and try applying from there? Or could I go to Canada and re-enter as a tourist?
Any advice appreciated – we’re very confused!!
Thanks so much!
I’m not sure exactly what this means or how it is going to affect requests to change our status. For example, my friend has applied for a driver’s license but has been refused. We are unclear why and worry that this is not a good sign.
We’d both like to stay in the States a little longer and are trying to find the most feasible way of doing this.
1. My friend has a good OPT job that has offered to support a request for a H1. What is the best course of action given the I-193? Should he (a) return home and apply from there (b) get a lawyer and apply from here (c) start by sending his papers to immigration to be “stamped” – our I-20 is missing stamps as a result of our entry status.
2. My job has ended and my OPT ends at the end of July. I’m considering either (a) applying to change my status to tourist by posting a change of status request from or (b) going to do a 2 year community college course and applying for another F1. In this case I may be able to transfer to a new F1 which may be easier?
What would be my chances of either of these options given the I-193? Am I going to have to return home and try applying from there? Or could I go to Canada and re-enter as a tourist?
Any advice appreciated – we’re very confused!!
Thanks so much!