Help With Complicated F1 to H1 Transfer Issues

ceasar81

New Member
Hi,
i have a lil complicated case here . I came here in Aug'04 with an I20 valid till Dec 06. I did not complete my degree till that date but applied for pre completion OPT which was approved( have already used up my CPT)... the Visa is valid on my passport till sometime 2009.
Now , I was very sure that since my application for H1 was done by the employer, I would not have to complete my degree. My OPT is valid till Oct'07 and I thought I could just resume working from there on with my H1. Today the news came that the very first day the whole H1 cap got filled. Though my application has reached on time I am not sure whether I will be picked in the lucky draw! 65000 / 150,000+ is pretty bad!!
For reasons not really relevant I am sure that I will not be able to complete this degree I am currently pursuing before this Fall's graduation date. I am doing my Master's. Have a 4 year grad degree from home country already
My question is -- Can I apply for a second college for any other degree and have a fresh F1 even though my this degree is still not complete come Oct 07 when my OPT will expire?
If I can get a new F1 from a different college or even the same college with a different course , when will I be able to work again on CPT? will I have to again wait for 9 months or will I be able to start working straight off as I have already been in the US for 2+ years now?
If nothing works , can I atleast cool my ass here in US after my OPT expires on grounds that my employer has sponsored my H1 which would be ofcourse be valid for next year which means that from Oct07 to Oct 08 I would just be sitting in the US neither studying nor working! ? If I get my I20 extended for the same course will it work?
Know its complicated but today's news of the cap getting over has put my ass right on the fire! thanks for any advice in advance!

Or could somebody simply answer this question please ... If come October 2007 when my OPT gets over but I still have not graduated then can I legally stay here until I complete my degree? If I can indeed saty then can I atleast pursue part time CPT? Or would I have to leave the country after 60 days of my OPT getting over?

Thanks a ton!
 
Can I apply for a second college for any other degree and have a fresh F1 even though my this degree is still not complete come Oct 07 when my OPT will expire?
yes

If I can get a new F1 from a different college or even the same college with a different course , when will I be able to work again on CPT?
yes

will I have to again wait for 9 months
no

If nothing works , can I atleast cool my ass here in US after my OPT expires on grounds that my employer has sponsored my H1 which would be ofcourse be valid for next year which means that from Oct07 to Oct 08 I would just be sitting in the US neither studying nor working! ?
not if your H1B isn't approved. You will be out of status.

If I get my I20 extended for the same course will it work?
yes, if you can convince your international office that you are still working on your thesis and need additional time past OPT expiration
 
Love u babe .. I have been pretty bad since the news came yesterday.. I am sure I will have to get some more advice from my Int'l students office but thanks a ton for replying to these questions.. It has really helped to calm my nerves a lil! Thanks again..
 
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