F1 to H-1B COS - Very Urgent!!!

[sunnyrock75]

My I-20 expires on 8/20/06 and my employer has applied for a H-1B with a start date of 10/1/06. I have already exhausted my OPT as this is my second Master's program. And I know that F1 students have a 60 day grace period after program completion (which in my case is 8/20/06) to either leave the country or change status. As I am currently pursuing my thesis, my question is what if I cannot defend my thesis by 8/20/06...will this scenario be considered as program completion and am I eligible for a 60 day grace period (as I can always use the grace period to wrap up things in the US including defending thesis). Can somebody who has been through this situation please advise ASAP. And in my situation changing status from F1 to H-1B is perfectly legal as my H-1B has a start date within the 60 day grace period. Please correct me if I am wrong. Thank you!

 

[Immigstories]

My I-20 expires on 8/20/06 and my employer has applied for a H-1B with a start date of 10/1/06. I have already exhausted my OPT as this is my second Master's program. And I know that F1 students have a 60 day grace period after program completion (which in my case is 8/20/06) to either leave the country or change status. As I am currently pursuing my thesis, my question is what if I cannot defend my thesis by 8/20/06...will this scenario be considered as program completion and am I eligible for a 60 day grace period (as I can always use the grace period to wrap up things in the US including defending thesis). Can somebody who has been through this situation please advise ASAP. And in my situation changing status from F1 to H-1B is perfectly legal as my H-1B has a start date within the 60 day grace period. Please correct me if I am wrong. Thank you!

Your 60 day grace period begins from the last day of the semester you were enrolled in your degree program. Your I20 expiration date is not an indication that you are on status. To be considered in status on an F1 visa.....you should have a valid unexpired I20, and also be registered fulltime. The moment a semester begins and you are not enrolled in any credits......your 60 day grace period begins. If you are enrolled fulltime in summer '06 you are fine with the status.
Let me know if this explains it.

 

[shooshweet]

F-1 to H-1B. Please repond

I am on F1 status now, enrolled full-time in Masters. I also got my H1B approved with start date of Oct 1, 2006. I am planning to enroll full-time until Sep 30, 2006 to maintain legal status and then drop all my courses on Oct 1st as my H1 begins. Is this legal? What conequences will it have? Kindly respond.