F1 to H1B question...

[BornOnJuly4]

Hi,

My friend came to do her Masters in Public health in F1 visa. At the end of 2 years, she is now working as a medical resident using her OPT work permit.
The hospital is now sponsoring her H1B visa.

She is planning to go to India this November to get her H1 stamped in chennai consulate. One of her colleague has advised her its not a good idea as the consulate may reject her Visa since she came to the US in F1 visa.

Any forum members have any experience in this issue ?

Thanks in advance for the answers.

 

[J1victim]

F1 > OPT > H1 > consulate interview

Hi,

My friend came to do her Masters in Public health in F1 visa. At the end of 2 years, she is now working as a medical resident using her OPT work permit.
The hospital is now sponsoring her H1B visa.

She is planning to go to India this November to get her H1 stamped in chennai consulate. One of her colleague has advised her its not a good idea as the consulate may reject her Visa since she came to the US in F1 visa.
......

it should NOT be a problem, as she has been legal all the time. but be prepared for questions like:
what was your student training about?
why are you switching to H1?
what are your long term plans? (or what will you do after finishing your residency)
what interests do you have to come back to india? (H1 is a dual intent visa, but still be prepared for this Q)

they may ask to see her ECFMG cert, state license (if any), USMLE cert. it all depends on the visa officer's interpretation of her interview.

*******************************
disclaimer: my personal opinion only.

 

[BornOnJuly4]

OPT question

J1Vitim,

I appreciate you taking time to reply. The issue my friend is worried about is this:

She started her medical residency through the OPT obtained via the Masters of Public health degree. Will the consulate find a problem with this ? (Since Public health is not a medical degree per se..)

Also she is planning to marry a GC holder after she gets her H1 stamped. If she tells this to the consular officer during her interview, will that be a problem ?

She is worried if her H1 is rejected she cannot come back to the US to continue the residency as her F1 is not valid anymore.

Any ideas ?

Thanks for your help.

it should NOT be a problem, as she has been legal all the time. but be prepared for questions like:
what was your student training about?
why are you switching to H1?
what are your long term plans? (or what will you do after finishing your residency)
what interests do you have to come back to india? (H1 is a dual intent visa, but still be prepared for this Q)

they may ask to see her ECFMG cert, state license (if any), USMLE cert. it all depends on the visa officer's interpretation of her interview.

*******************************
disclaimer: my personal opinion only.