H4 to F1 help

G

gpusa

Registered Users (C)
Hi,
I am doing my masters on H4 so far and want to apply for change of status H4 to F1 visa with OPT being the primary objective.

PLAN- A (May 2005 graduation)
1). I am in my final semester now and graduating in May 2005. So I am taking project and course needed for degree completion (6 units).
2). Will I be ELIGIBLE to apply for status change H4-F1 NOW and if yes, what will be the completion date in I-20?
3). Will it not be too late as H4-F1 takes anything 3+ months?
4). If H4-F1 comes after I graduate in May 2005, will I be ELIGIBLE for OPT?

If it is too late to get F-1 before I graduate in May 2005, here is another plan

PLAN -B (Dec 2005 graduation)
1). I can extend graduation to Fall 2005 (Dec. graduation). I will take one more course this spring and make it 9 units of full load.
2). I will take only a course in Fall 2005 and declare it as my final semester. This way I will get additional time to complete change of status to F-1.
3). Will I be able to apply for status change H4-F1 NOW and if yes, what will be the date in I-20?
4). If H4-F1 comes before I graduate, will I be ELIGIBLE for OPT?

I am also trying to check with international studies office in my school but they are closed for the time being.
So any information is welcome.
Thanks,
ana
 
Who is eligible for OPT? An F-1 student who is eligible to apply for OPT must have been in lawful F-1 status for one full academic year prior to applying for OPT. This includes having a valid I-20, passport (which will not expire for at least one year after you apply for OPT), full-time enrollment, etc. If you have questions about whether of not you are eligible, ask an advisor.


You have to be in F-1 status for an academic year to get OPT.
 
Thanks LucyMO for your quick reply.

So if I apply for COS H4-F1 this month (Spring2005 sem) and then graduate in dec-2005 (Fall2005 sem), will I be eligible for OPT (assuming that COS is successful)?

This way I would be in F1 status for one full academic year (Spring and then Fall semetsers). Can I apply for OPT after Dec-2005?

Thanks again,
dev
 
it takes about 3-4 months to change your status. If you apply now, you may get your F-1 status by summer. Then, you can apply for OPT at the end of Spring'06 semester.

You have to apply for OPT at least a month before your final semester ends.
 
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