Hello, I have been reading this forum quite actively and have seen most of the questions being answered, so I decided to submit few of my questions; and hopefully someone could take the time to answer them all.
My Current situation:
I am on H1B which is valid from 01/31/2002 until 11/30/2004. And this is what is stated on my I-94 form too.
My past situation:
I came to the US on an F1 visa to pursue an undergrad degree in Computer Science. My F1 was valid from 29 Jun 1997 until 29 Jun 2001. And the last time I traveled outside the US was on an F1 Visa and the I-94 in my passport states that I can be admitted until my F1 expires. As obvious my F1 VISA has expired. Also, although I have always been a citizen of India, but my F1 was issued in Doha-Qatar (since I was a resident of Qatar).
After I graduated (May 2001) I applied for my OPT, which was valid from 7/12/01 until 07/02/02.
Questions:
1) As stated about, since my OPT’s validity was few days after my F1 expired, could that situation have put me out of status for like 12 days?
2) Since, I have a US degree and if my question 1 does not make me out of status, then do I have better luck if I go thru Canada or Mexico for my H1B visa stamping? And, if Canada or Mexico is favorable for me, could Qatar on my F1 Visa (since my F1 was issued in Qatar) in my passport create a problem for me?
3) Are there any chances of me being selected for a background check since my F1 visa was issued in Qatar?
I would appreciate if someone could answer all of my above questions. Prompt reply would really be helpful since I need to make my decision soon about going to either Canada or Mexico! Personal experience would really help.
Thanks a lot,
RD
My Current situation:
I am on H1B which is valid from 01/31/2002 until 11/30/2004. And this is what is stated on my I-94 form too.
My past situation:
I came to the US on an F1 visa to pursue an undergrad degree in Computer Science. My F1 was valid from 29 Jun 1997 until 29 Jun 2001. And the last time I traveled outside the US was on an F1 Visa and the I-94 in my passport states that I can be admitted until my F1 expires. As obvious my F1 VISA has expired. Also, although I have always been a citizen of India, but my F1 was issued in Doha-Qatar (since I was a resident of Qatar).
After I graduated (May 2001) I applied for my OPT, which was valid from 7/12/01 until 07/02/02.
Questions:
1) As stated about, since my OPT’s validity was few days after my F1 expired, could that situation have put me out of status for like 12 days?
2) Since, I have a US degree and if my question 1 does not make me out of status, then do I have better luck if I go thru Canada or Mexico for my H1B visa stamping? And, if Canada or Mexico is favorable for me, could Qatar on my F1 Visa (since my F1 was issued in Qatar) in my passport create a problem for me?
3) Are there any chances of me being selected for a background check since my F1 visa was issued in Qatar?
I would appreciate if someone could answer all of my above questions. Prompt reply would really be helpful since I need to make my decision soon about going to either Canada or Mexico! Personal experience would really help.
Thanks a lot,
RD