F1/OPT laid off, unemployment insurance

[texashorn]

Hi Rajiv,

Facts about me as of 2009:
1. F1 over 5 years in Texas
2 . full-time on OPT for 3 months, then got laid off in May
3. paid social security tax during OPT work
4. H1-B approved, but had not been valid until lay off
5. Left US in July 2009 before OPT expired in Feb 2010.
6. No plan to return to US in recent years

Question:
Am I eligible for Unemployment Insuance?

Thanks!

 

[Rajiv S. Khanna]

I usually cannot follow individual discussions. Interestingly, I happened to spot your message on the new home page I am preparing for the forums. Send me a message through the "contact us" form on immigration.com.

 

[nkm-oct23]

If you don't live in the US, you cannot claim unemployment insurance. Even if you did live in US, you need unrestricted work authorization to make the claim to UI.